About Lorenzo Berra, MD

After his medical school at the University of Milan, Dr. Berra spent three years under the mentorship of Dr. Theodor Kolobow in a research laboratory at the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD). From 2006-2011 he completed his residency in Anesthesia and fellowship in Critical Care both at the Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine at MGH. Since 2011 he is a staff anesthesiologist and intensivist and a member of Dr. Warren Zapol's MGH Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Research. His current patient care activities are focused on caring for critically ill patients and their families. His primary research and academic interests involve translational research to improve diagnosis, treatment and care of critically ill patients with cardio-pulmonary failure or severe infections

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Locations

Mass General Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
55 Fruit St.
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-726-3030

Medical Education

  • MD, Universita Degli Studi Di Milano
  • MD, University of Milan
  • Residency, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Residency, University of Milan
  • Fellowship, Massachusetts General Hospital

American Board Certifications

  • Anesthesiology, American Board of Anesthesiology
  • Critical Care Medicine, American Board of Anesthesiology

Accepted Insurance Plans

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Research

Research Areas

  • Alterations of the Nitric Oxide Physiology in the presence of circulation plasma cell-free hemoglobin.
  • Emerging approaches in the prevention of Ventilator Acquired Pneumonia.   
  • Characteristics of the inflammatory response of patients undergoing surgical procedures.
  • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).


Description of Research

In
my early research career I worked at the National Institutes of Health, under the supervision of my mentor Dr. Theodore Kolobow (2000-2005). We developed several new methods and medical devices to avoid aspiration and ventilator associated pneumonia: such as novel rotating beds, care of intubated patients, novel endotracheal tube designs, new methods of ventilation, and novel approach to prevent bacterial colonization of the respiratory tract. In animal models we experimented and successfully showed feasibility and efficacy of those methods. In order to test these hypotheses and other novel approaches to prevent lung injury in mechanically ventilated patients, Dr. Robert Kacmarek and I established a Respiratory and Critical Care Research Team in the department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine at MGH. Under the mentorship of Dr. Warren Zapol, I also expanded my studies on the role of transfusion and hemolysis on hemodynamics, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and organ dysfunction.

Publications

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