STandaRd Issue TrANsfusion VersuS Fresher Red Blood Cell Use In IntenSive CarE (TRANSFUSE) – A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,890,335.00
Summary
In Australia, blood for transfusions has a “use by” date of 42 days after collection. The actual age of blood given to patients depends on what is available at the time and the rate of usage. Some research has been done to suggest it might help patients in the intensive care unit reach a better recovery if they receive blood transfusions that are younger than this. This project will test whether patients who receive ‘fresher’ blood do better than patients who receive ‘standard issue ’ blood.
Centre Of Research Excellence For Patient Blood Management In Critical Illness And Trauma
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,498,410.00
Summary
Blood transfusion is area of major public interest. In critically ill or major trauma patients it can both be life-saving and dangerous. There is continuing uncertainty about how best to use blood and blood products in such patients. The Centre of Research Excellence for Patient Blood Management in Critical Illness and Trauma will undertake vital research to improve our understanding of the effects of transfusion on patient outcomes and how to best manage this vital community resource.
Understanding Tissue Responses To Fluid Resuscitation And Blood Transfusion During Ovine Sepsis To Improve Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$980,810.00
Summary
Annually, sepsis affects up to 30 million patients, killing more patients than the combined totals of breast, prostate and lung cancer. Fluid resuscitation is a cornerstone of sepsis therapy, aimed at improving oxygen delivery to key organs. Data now indicates that blood and non-blood fluids may worsen mortality. This study will investigate the mechanism of sepsis and the effect of blood and non-blood fluids, to provide data to clinicians which may reduce the vast global burden of this disease.
Improved Patient Outcomes By Early Intervention With Therapeutic Cooling For Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury, And By Optimising Patient Blood Transfusion Practice In Critically Ill Patients.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,450.00
Summary
First, a large multicentre trial (POLAR) will complement my previous successful trials in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients and will establish whether active therapeutic cooling, commenced early after brain injury and continued in intensive care units, will achieve its promise of improving patient outcomes. Second, a national multicentre trial (TRANSFUSE) will establish whether transfusing blood units with a shorter than usual storage time will improve patient outcomes.
A Phase II Randomised Controlled Trial Of Atorvastatin Therapy In Intensive Care Patients With Severe Sepsis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$622,148.00
Summary
Infections are common in patients in the intensive care unit and produce inflammation that may spread throughout the body. Despite improved therapies, when infections cause failure of the body's vital organs, up to 40% of patients may die. The medication atorvastatin and other statins have been used for many years to treat and prevent conditions such as heart attack and stroke. They act primarily by reducing cholesterol production. In addition, they also modify inflammation and the immune system ....Infections are common in patients in the intensive care unit and produce inflammation that may spread throughout the body. Despite improved therapies, when infections cause failure of the body's vital organs, up to 40% of patients may die. The medication atorvastatin and other statins have been used for many years to treat and prevent conditions such as heart attack and stroke. They act primarily by reducing cholesterol production. In addition, they also modify inflammation and the immune system which may make them a useful treatment for patients with established infections. Although the statin drugs are usually safe, rare side effects may affect muscle and the liver. Because of concerns about increased risk of side effects it is currently recommended that statins should be stopped when patients become unwell. However, a number of studies have suggested that patients on statins for heart disease are less likely to develop infections and that their infections are less likely to be severe or result in death. Other studies have suggested that stopping statins in patients that present with infections (as suggested by current guidelines), may worsen infection outcomes. However, these studies have not been detailed enough to exclude all factors affecting outcome, such as patient age, severity of the infection, and the presence of other diseases. We plan to perform a study to assess the effect of atorvastatin on the outcome of infections in the intensive care unit. We will study 250 patients presenting with severe infections. We will randomly assign patients to receive either atorvastatin or placebo and monitor the effect on signs of inflammation and levels of life support. Outcomes and side effects will be carefully monitored. The study will help us decide whether to perform a larger study to determine if atorvastatin can reduce the risk of dying from serious infections.Read moreRead less
Improving Outcomes For Critically Ill Patients After Traumatic Brain Injury And Blood Transfusion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,049.00
Summary
The Fellowship will support an academic clinician to lead the Alfred Intensive Care Department, and the Monash ANZIC Research Centre. Two pivotal NHMRC supported clinical trials, led by the Fellow, are each the largest and most definitive trials in their fields, and will complete during Fellowship and provide extensive data for research outputs. Concurrently, a new research program to improve patients function and quality of life after critical illness, will be supported.
Enhanced Control Of Hypertension And Thrombolysis Stroke Study (ENCHANTED)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,408,568.00
Summary
This is an international multi-centre randomised controlled trial that is evaluating two approaches to improve the benefits, safety and costs associated with the treatment with the clot-busting drug in patients with acute stroke due to blocked blood vessel. The study aims to determine whether a slightly lower dose of the clot busting drug and more intensive control of elevated blood pressure will improve the chances of a patient recovering from this serious illness.
This study will provide highly reliable information about the use of tight blood glucose control in critically ill patients. It involves an international collaboration between opinion leaders in this field and uses sophisticated statistical methods to combine data from all the clinical trials in this area. The study will clarify many of the current clinical questions about tight glucose control during critical illness, informing practice guidelines in Australia and around the world.