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Carmelo Graffagnino

Professor Emeritus of Neurology
Neurology, Neurocritical Care
Duke Box 3824, 0109 Orange Zone - South Clinics, Durham, NC 27710
DUMC 3824, 0109 Orange Zone - South Clinics, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


As an neurointensivist with subspecialty training in cerebrovascular disease and neurocritical care my research focus is on the application of neurocritical care interventions to help patients with acute strokes and head injuries. My current research focuses both on improving and innovation of new therapies for patients with acute stroke as well as improving the systems of care that deliver life saving treatments to patients with stroke. 

Current research studies include the use of neuroprotection strategies such as inhaled Nitric Oxide to protect the brain after removal of large vessel clots. I also involved in helping to develop and test new thrombolytic agents for use in acute stroke. 

I am also working with a multidisciplinary team of systems of care experts at DCRI to re-engineer our stroke system of care across the heart of the Stroke Belt through a project called IMPROVE-Stroke Care which is leveraging novel informatics data systems to deliver state of the art care for patients with acute stroke. 

I am also working with a number of colleagues in Neurology, Neurosurgery and Emergency medicine to apply the concept of system re-engineering to improve the outcomes of patients with acute traumatic brain injury in East Africa (Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania)

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor Emeritus of Neurology · 2025 - Present Neurology, Neurocritical Care, Neurology

Recent Publications


Telestroke consultant use in acute stroke care: Evidence for best practices from the IMPROVE stroke care program.

Journal Article J Telemed Telecare · April 21, 2025 BackgroundEvolving stroke care demands careful screening of stroke patients to ensure the right care is administered to the right patients in a timely manner. Telestroke has been increasingly utilized to improve access to stroke specialists to make these a ... Full text Link to item Cite

Improve time to anti-coagulation reversal for hemorrhagic strokes.

Journal Article J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis · December 2024 BACKGROUND: Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is a risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) which is an important source of disability and mortality. OAC-associated ICH (OAC-ICH) patients have worse outcomes as compared to ICH patients not on OAC, likely be ... Full text Link to item Cite

Regionalization of stroke systems of care in the stroke belt states: The IMPROVE stroke care quality improvement program.

Journal Article Am Heart J · March 2024 BACKGROUND: Despite guidelines and strong evidence supporting intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy for acute stroke, access to these interventions remains a challenge. The objective of the IMPROVE stroke care program was to accelerate acu ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


IMPROVE Stroke Care Systems of Care Research Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Daiichi Sankyo Inc · 2018 - 2022

Medtronic Stroke Initiative

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Medtronic Foundation · 2016 - 2022

IMPROVE STROKE

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Chiesi Farmaceutici SPA · 2019 - 2020

View All Grants

Education, Training & Certifications


Western University (Canada) · 1985 M.D.