Neurocritical Care

Marcus Neuroscience Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital has a neurocritical care team who understands the importance of treating the whole patient, from the brain to the heart, the lungs to the spine. We collaborate with specialists and physicians from across the Institute to make sure every patient receives complete, expert care.

Our neurocritical care team treats patients who have life-threatening neurological conditions. These patients, who are usually in our neurological intensive care unit (Neuro-ICU), need care for their neurological condition and other body systems that may be affected by that condition, such as the heart, lungs or kidneys.

At Marcus Neuroscience Institute, our neurocritical care team includes critical care physicians who have a background in neurology. This expertise allows us to provide immediate, effective treatment when it matters most, helping you or your loved one recover as fully as possible.

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Which conditions do you provide neurocritical care for at Marcus Neuroscience Institute?

We provide neurocritical care for life-threatening neurological conditions that may affect other major organs, such as the heart or lungs. These conditions can include:

• Strokes, including ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes
• Status epilepticus and other conditions that cause continuous or long seizures
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Cardiac arrest recovery
• Post-operative neurosurgical care
• Neuro-muscular disorders, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome or myasthenia gravis

How does Marcus Neuroscience Institute care for patients with neurocritical conditions?

Our neurocritical care team focuses on monitoring all of the major organs, including the brain, heart, kidneys and lungs. We understand the importance of treating the whole patient and every body system that may be affected by a neurological condition.

IWhen a patient comes in for neurocritical care, we start with a neurological exam to check brain function and how the brain is communicating with the rest of the body. We’ll also use different tests and monitoring tools to check on major organs. These tests can include:

• Electroencephalography (EEG)
• CT scans of the brain
• Chest X-rays
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• Echocardiogram

If a patient needs treatment, we work closely with the neuro-ICU team, neurosurgeons, and interventional neuroradiologists to provide fast, effective care. As a comprehensive stroke center accredited by DNV Healthcare, we provide the quickest and most effective stroke treatment in the region. This includes clot-busting treatments such as tPA, or tissue plasminogen activator, as well as endovascular treatments.

Neurocritical care research at Marcus Neuroscience Institute

The neurocritical care team at Marcus Neuroscience Institute is involved in promising research to develop personalized medicine for neurologic conditions. While many people may associate personalized medicine or precision medicine with cancer treatment, we use a similar strategy for neurologic conditions.

Our research team builds a brain model — or “brain in a dish” — for every patient in our neurocritical ICU. To do this, we take a sample of the patient’s cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and pull out specific cells to grow in a petri dish with other brain cells. This model can show us whether the patient’s brain is likely to become more inflamed or if it will heal. This process helps us closely monitor patients who may be at risk for more severe complications and provide treatment faster.

Working together with Florida Atlantic University, we are also using these brain models to develop drugs to treat brain inflammation. In the future, we hope we can translate this research into personalized treatments for neurocritical care patients.

Our approach

When you come to Marcus Neuroscience Institute for neurocritical care, you can expect:

• A team that understands the communication between the brain and other organs, and the importance of caring for the whole patient
• The region’s experts in neurocritical care, which includes doctors who ae Board-certified in both neurology and neurocritical care (neuro-intensivists)
• The latest diagnostic technology and treatment approaches for severe neurologic conditions

What kind of recovery time can I expect for a loved one in neurocritical care?

Every patient’s brain is different, which means recovery time can vary greatly for each person. Recovery times can also vary within families. Our neurocritical care team will make sure to keep you informed about your loved one’s recovery.

What is a neuro-intensivist?

A neuro-intensivist is a physician with both neurology and critical care training. Neuro-intensivists care for patients in neuro-ICUs. They have expertise in monitoring and treating life-threatening neurological and general critical care conditions. As the only hospital in the region with neuro-intensivists on staff, Marcus Neuroscience Institute has the expertise needed to care for critically ill patients.

Meet the team

Our neurocritical care team includes Board-certified neuro-intensivists who work alongside neurosurgeons and interventional radiologists.