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Marek Alexander Mirski, M.D., Ph.D.

Vice-Chair, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine
Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine

Male

Languages: English, Polish

Expertise

Acute Stroke Care, Anesthesiology, Carotid Artery Stenosis, Cerebrovascular Diseases, Intracerebral Hemorrhage, Ischemic Heart Disease, Moyamoya Disease, Stroke, Stroke Imaging, Stroke Prevention, Stroke Recovery, Stroke Rehabilitation, Transient Ischemic Attack ...read more

Research Interests

Investigation of the subcortical mechanisms of seizure propagation and cortical synchrony ...read more

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+1-410-502-7683

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Locations

The Johns Hopkins Hospital (Main Entrance)

Appointment Phone: 410-955-7481

1800 Orleans St.
Sheikh Zayed Tower
Baltimore, MD 21287 map

Fax: 410-955-7903

Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

Appointment Phone: 410-550-0942

4940 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21224 map

Phone: 410-550-0942 | Fax: 410-550-0443

Background

Dr. Marek Mirski is a professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine as well as neurology and neurological surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is the inaugural recipient of the Thomas and Dorothy Tung Professorship in the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine.

Dr. Mirski also serves as the vice-chair of the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, director of Neuroscience Critical Care Units, chief of the Division of Neuroanesthesiology and co-director at Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Stroke Center.

He made several important discoveries in how seizure impulses travel within the brain, leading to publications in the highly regarded journals. In addition to his investigation in seizure mechanisms, he has made seminal laboratory and clinical research contributions in the fields of cerebral edema, osmotic therapy, ICU sedation and the practice of neurological critical care.

Dr. Mirski received his undergraduate degree in biology and chemistry from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and earned his M.D. from Washington University in St. Louis. He completed residencies in neurology and anesthesiology and critical care medicine and performed a fellowship in anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Mirski joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 1992.

He has been one of the leaders in the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine''s entry into the international patient care environment. He has been an ambassador for the Department and the Institution, caring for patients from around the world and leading missions in many countries including Bermuda, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Dr. Mirski has published more than 175 peer-reviewed articles. He serves on the board of directors of the Society of Neurocritical Care and is on the editorial board of several scientific journals, including Tzu Chi Medical Journal, Contemporary Critical Care, Journal of Neurocritical Care and the Journal of Neurosurgical Anesthesiology.

Titles

Vice-Chair, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine
Director, Johns Hopkins Neuroscience Critical Care Units
Chief, Division of Neuroanesthesiology
Co-Director, Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Stroke Center
Director of Neuroanesthesia and Critical Care Medicine Division
Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine
Professor of Neurology
Professor of Neurosurgery

Departments / Divisions

Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine - Neurocritical Care
Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine - Critical Care
Neurology
Neurosurgery

Centers & Institutes

Stroke Center at the Johns Hopkins Hospital

Education

Degrees

MD PhD; Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis (1986)

Residencies

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1991)

Fellowships

Anesthesiology; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1991)

Board Certifications

American Board of Anesthesiology (Anesthesiology) (1992)
United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (Neurocritical Care) (2008)

Research & Publications

Research Summary

Dr. Mirski’s laboratory research involves the investigation of the subcortical mechanisms of seizure propagation and cortical synchrony. The lab directs major effort toward the development of methodologies for seizure inhibition via site-specific subcortical electrical stimulation. The principal finding of his research—identification of synaptically linked subcortical elements important in seizure propagation—has led to FDA-sanctioned Phase III clinical trials of targeted thalamic stimulation in patients with intractable seizures. Dr. Mirski also conducts primary research in the treatment of brain edema, ICU sedation and acute stroke.

Additional research activities include investigation of the proconvulsant action of novel alpha2-receptor agonists and pharmacologic osmolar control of elevated intracranial pressure following acute head injury. Major clinical investigations are focused on the treatment of elevated intracranial pressure, cerebral edema, ICU sedation, and clinical trials for ischemic stroke and head injury.

Technology Expertise Keywords

Anesthesiology

Selected Publications

Koenig MA, Bryan M, Lewin JJ, Mirski MA, Geocadin RG, Stevens RD. “Reversal of transtentorial herniation with hypertonic saline.” Neurology 70(13):1023–9, 2008.
Hamani C, Hodaie M, Chiang J, del Campo M, Andrade DM, Sherman DL, Mirski MA, Mello LE, Lozano AM. “Deep brain stimulation in the anterior thalamus: Effects of electrical stimulation on pilocarpine-induced seizures and status epilepticus.” Epilepsy Res 78(2–3):117–23, 2008.
Mirski MA, Nyquist P, Toung TJ. “Effect of hypertonic saline concentration on cerebral and visceral organ water in an uninjured rodent model.” Crit Care Med 36(1):256–61, 2008.
Bhatti N, Mirski MA, Tatlipinar A, Koch WM, Goldenberg D. “Reduction of complication rate in percutaneous dilation tracheotomy.” Study of 318 consecutive patients. Otolaryngology 117:172–5, 2007.
Ziai WC, Sherman DL, Zhang N, Bhardwaj A, Mirski MA.” Target-specific catecholamine elevation induced by anticonvulsant thalamic deep brain stimulation.” Epilepsia 46:878–88, 2005.

Activities & Honors

Honors

Founding Director, Queen’s Neuroscience Institute, 1996
Most Influential Physician, Queen’s Medical Center, 1998
First Johns Hopkins Medicine Joint Director
Co-Winner, Neuroscience Research Prize, Washington University/St. Louis Medical Center, 1986

Memberships

American Academy of Neurology
American Epilepsy Society
American Neurological Association
American Society of Anesthesiology
Society of Critical Care Medicine
Society of Neurosurgical Anesthesia and Critical Care

Professional Activities

Ad-hoc reviewer, Critical Care Medicine
Ad-hoc reviewer, Anesthesiology
Ad-hoc reviewer, Anesthesia & Analgesia
Ad-hoc reviewer, Epilepsia
Ad-hoc reviewer, Journal of Experimental Neurology
Ad-hoc reviewer, American Journal of Neuroradiology
Ad-hoc reviewer, Annals of Neurology
Ad-hoc reviewer, Neurology
Ad-hoc reviewer, Epilepsy Research
Ad-hoc reviewer, Contemporary Critical Care
Ad-hoc reviewer, Journal of Neurocritical Care
Board of Directors, Society of Neurocritical Care
Editorial board, Contemporary Critical Care
Editorial board, Journal Neurocritical Care
Editorial board, Journal of Neurosurgical Anesthesiology
FAER Awards Committee, American Society of Anesthesiology, 2003 - 2005
Finance Secretary, Society of NeuroCritical Care, 2005 - 2007
International Editor, Tzu Chi Medical Journal
Scientific Co-Chair, American Society of Anesthesiology, 2002
Scientific Co-Chair, American Academy of Neurology, 2003

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