Michael Tymko

Dr. Michael Tymko completed his MSc and PhD at the University of British Columbia, and his primary research focused on the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and the peripheral and cerebral vasculature in humans. Now working with Dr. Mypinder Sekhon, Michael’s research will focus on ischemic brain injury in cardiac arrest patients.

In Canada, more than 50,000 cardiac arrest (i.e. “heart attack”) patients simultaneously suffer from brain injury due to reduced brain blood flow and oxygen delivery. Primary brain injury occurs following the initial reduction in brain blood flow following cardiac arrest, and in some cases, secondary brain injury occurs after brain blood flow is restored to normal levels.

Michael’s research will be conducted at Vancouver General Hospital and aims to measure key biological markers to quantify brain inflammation in post cardiac arrest patients. The findings from this study will improve our overall understanding of the mechanism(s) that contribute to brain injury characterized by reductions in blood flow and will potentially identify therapeutic targets and improve quality of life in these patients.

For an up-to-date list of Michael’s publications, see PubMed.