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Pressure Research Delivers Life Changing Tech and Clinical Best Practices

Research informs acute SCI care to enhance recovery, avoid further neurotrauma

Praxis exists to lead global collaboration in spinal cord injury research, innovation and care. We translate knowledge to bridge health evidence with real-world delivery. The word praxis means the practical application of a theory – moving knowledge into action. We measure our success through impact, how Praxis makes a difference to the SCI community.

Maintaining adequate spinal cord perfusion pressure (SCPP), for the circulation of blood to the spinal cord at the time of injury and during recovery improves neurological recovery. Praxis has supported surgeon-scientist Dr. Brian Kwon and his team at the University of British Columbia (UBC) as they lead research on personalizing SCPP management to each SCI patient’s need. Data from these studies have shown that prompt and consistent intervention in the acute phase of injury maintains adequate SCPP and improves neurological recovery.

The work has been taken even further through the CASPER (Canadian- American Spinal Cord Perfusion Pressure and Biomarker) study. This multicentre clinical study funded by Praxis is developing protocols for use in clinical acute care. The study is also looking at whether draining cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) helps maintain spinal cord perfusion to minimize further tissue damage.

New recommendations from the AO Spine/Praxis Spinal Cord Institute Clinical Practice Guidelines were presented for the first time at the Global Spine Congress 2023 in Prague, May 31–June 3.

Praxis support of work from the Kwon lab has also led to development of next generation med tech for monitoring oxygenation and hemodynamics in the injured spinal cord. An implantable biosensor, based on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy technology, is implanted at the injury site during initial SCI trauma management surgery. It then gives real- time read outs so clinicians can optimize SCPP management during the acute phase of injury.

This new medtech, which is heading for commercialization in a partnership grant with the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, is part of a U.S. Defense Advanced Research Project Agency grant to revolutionize SCI treatments using innovative, implantable technologies.

Results are already impacting standards of care for SCI in BC, with Praxis and AOSpine supporting the development of clinical practice guidelines to ensure this evidence is available worldwide.

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