NTSC Interview Series 2023 | Prof. Helmut Trimmel, Landeskrankenhaus Wiener Neustadt • AMN • Academy for Multidisciplinary Neurotraumatology

This interview was recorded during Neurotrauma Treatment Simulation Center (NTSC), Vienna, April 16-21, 2023

Interviewee: Prof. Helmut Trimmel, Head of the Department of Anaesthesiology, Emergency and Intensive Medicine at Landeskrankenhaus Wiener Neustadt

Interviewer: Diana Chira

Prof. Helmut Trimmel is a distinguished member of the faculty for NTSC 2023, and department head at the Landeskrankenhaus Wiener Neustadt, a prominent hospital located south of Vienna. Affiliated with several universities and university teaching hospitals, the institution specializes in neurotraumatology and treats a significant number of severe brain trauma cases.

Prof. Trimmel shared his motivation for participating in NTSC 2023, emphasizing the criticality of acute care. He stressed the utmost importance of providing the best possible care for neurotrauma patients from the very first minute of their treatment.

The interview explored Prof. Trimmel’s insight into similar programs. He underscored the distinctiveness of NTSC as a program that specifically focuses on neurotrauma and discussed about the simulation center available at his hospital for acute care training. The interview further delved into the primary challenges within the field of neurotrauma. Prof. Trimmel emphasized the significance of a well-coordinated team, making accurate decisions in acute care, optimizing the timing of transportation to avoid unnecessary transfers and the critical role of multidisciplinary teams and specialized care. He also highlighted the difficulty of finding suitable rehabilitation centers, which he identified as a challenge in Austria.

Additionally, Prof. Trimmel shared one of the most remarkable cases from his professional career—a compelling instance involving diffuse axonal trauma resulting from a high-speed motorcycle accident, with an unexpectedly positive outcome despite an extended acute phase.

Lastly, the interview touched upon the topics of focus for the new AMN Guidelines. Prof. Trimmel specifically highlighted the importance of exploring neurorehabilitation drugs that have the potential to enhance the quality of life for patients after experiencing neurotrauma.

For more information about NTSC 2023, visit: https://brain-amn.org/event/ntsc-2023/

For additional insights from the NTSC 2023 faculty and previous participants, we invite you to explore the diverse perspectives available at: