Adam Sapirstein, MD

Professional Titles

• Director, Division of Adult Critical Care Medicine

Primary Academic Title

Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine

Background

Centers and Institutes

Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality

Additional Academic Titles

Associate Professor of Surgery, Associate Professor of Medicine

Research Interests

The roles of phospholipases A2 and their lipid metabolites in brain injury

Lab Website

Adam Sapirstein Lab - Lab Website

Research Summary

Dr. Sapirstein focuses his research on the role of phospholipases A2 and their lipid metabolites in brain injury. He and his group are evaluating the role of the cytosolic, Group V and Group X PLA2s in models of stroke and excitotoxicity and are investigating the function of PLA2s in cerebrovascular regulation. Both areas of research are conducted with in vivo and in vitro models.

Dr. Sapirstein and his colleagues believe that inhibitors of the PLA2 enzymes are likely to have several important clinical uses. They have discovered that cPLA2 is essential for the early electrophysiologic changes that occur in hippocampal CA1 neurons following exposure to N-methyl-d-aspartate, a finding that has profound implications regarding the possible uses of selective cPLA2 inhibitors following acute neurologic injury. Although they are working with models of stroke in mice, their findings may be broadly applicable to a variety of neurologic disorders. PLA2s also have been implicated in the pathogenesis of aspiration lung injury during general anesthesia and in reactive airway responses.

In the long term, Dr. Sapirstein hopes to establish the potential for clinical inhibition of PLA2 enzymes in the treatment of acute and chronic neurologic diseases and injuries. He also hopes to use in vivo imaging and lipid analysis to delineate specific roles for lipid species in modulating excitotoxicity and cerebrovascular responses.

Selected Publications

• 1. Pronovost PJ, Bo-Linn GW, Sapirstein A. “From heroism to safe design: leveraging technology.” Anesthesiology. 2014 Mar;120(3):526-9. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000000127.
  2. Cvach MM, Currie A, Sapirstein A, Doyle PA, Pronovost P. “Managing clinical alarms: Using data to drive change.” Nurs Manage. 2013 Nov;44(11 Safety Solutions):8-12. doi: 10.1097/01.NUMA.0000437594.58933.ce.
  3. Tropello SP, Ravitz AD, Romig M, Pronovost PJ, Sapirstein A. “Enhancing the quality of care in the intensive care unit: a systems engineering approach.” Crit Care Clin. 2013 Jan;29(1):113-24. doi: 10.1016/j.ccc.2012.10.009.
  4. Romig MC, Latif A, Gill RS, Pronovost PJ, Sapirstein A. “Perceived benefit of a telemedicine consultative service in a highly staffed intensive care unit.” J Crit Care. 2012 Aug;27(4):426.e9-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2011.12.007. Epub 2012 Mar 14.

Honors

Fellow, Japanese Society for Promotion of Science, 1/1/02

Memberships

• American Association for the Advancement of Science
• American Society of Anesthesiologists
• Society for Critical Care Medicine
• Society for Neuroscience

Professional Activities

• Principal Faculty, Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality