The Prophylactic Hypothermia To Lessen Traumatic Brain Injury-randomised Controlled Trial : Continuation Of Funding Request
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$266,321.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and long term disability. About half with severe TBI will die or have a poor outcome. The social and economic costs to the community are high. Treatment focuses on optimising oxygen and blood flow to the brain. Cooling may protect the brain. POLAR is a randomised trial of early cooling in patients with TBI. Cooling is started within 3 hours of injury. Data about the injury management and safety is collected. Recovery is measured at 6 months.
Re-EValuating The Inhibition Of Stress Erosions (REVISE): Gastrointestinal Bleeding Prophylaxis In ICU
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,955,164.00
Summary
Around 50,000 patients in Australian Intensive Care Units receive a drug called pantoprazole each year with the aim of preventing bleeding from the gut. Recent research suggests this practice is ineffective and may harm patients by increasing their risk of serious infections. We will perform a definitive study to determine whether the widespread use of pantoprazole is beneficial or harmful.
A Phase IIb Randomised Controlled Trial Of Continuous Beta-lactam Infusion Compared With Intermittent Beta-lactam Dosing In Critically Ill Patients With Severe Sepsis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$947,371.00
Summary
This randomised controlled trial aims to compare, in critically-ill patients with severe sepsis managed in the intensive care unit, whether the administration of beta-lactam antibiotics via continuous infusion improves outcomes for patients compared with standard intermittent dosing. The potential significance of this step-wise research program is that it may lead to a simple and cost-effective intervention to improve ICU-free days, clinical cure and survival for patients with severe infections.
Optimisation By Platform Trial Involving Multiple Interventions With Simultaneous Evaluation In Community Acquired Pneumonia (OPTIMISE-CAP)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,413,145.00
Summary
In Australia severe Community Acquired Pneumonia is responsible for more than 7000 ICU admissions and 1400 deaths each year. This trial will determine the optimal treatments among existing choices of therapy related to choice of antibiotic, ventilator strategy and modulation of the immune system. The trial uses new methods to answer more research questions as quickly as possible.
BLING III: A Phase III Randomised Controlled Trial Of Continuous Beta-lactam Infusion Compared With Intermittent Beta-lactam Dosing In Critically Ill Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,269,943.00
Summary
This Australian-led trial of global significance will provide definitive clinical evidence of the optimal method for treating patients with severe sepsis using beta-lactam antibiotics. The trial will compare whether continuous infusion of beta-lactam antibiotics improves outcomes for patients compared with standard intermittent dosing. The potential significance of this trial is that it may lead to a simple and cost-effective intervention to improve survival for patients with severe infections.
Causes And Management Of Abnormally Elevated Blood Glucose Concentrations In The Critically Ill
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,770.00
Summary
Increased glucose concentrations occur commonly in ICU patients and are associated with increased mortality and morbidity. There is a need to improve the understanding of the causes underlying so-called 'critical illness induced hyperglycaemia' as well as new therapies to reduce blood glucose in this group. The proposed studies will focus on the potential role of incretin hormones, which have the capacity to stimulate insulin without increasing the risk of abnormally low blood glucose levels.
A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial Of Selective Decontamination Of The Digestive Tract In Critically Ill Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,113,393.00
Summary
Sepsis is the most common cause of death in intensive care patients. Selective Decontamination of the Digestive Tract (SDD) is a treatment to reduce the risk of infection and improve survival for these patients. Many trials suggest SDD works but there has not been widespread uptake due to concerns that SDD will increase antibiotic resistance.rates. This trial will provide a definitive answer. If SDD reduces mortality without increasing antibiotic resistance, the study will have a global impact.
Optimising Nutrient Delivery And Absorption In Critically Ill Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,715.00
Summary
Patients surviving ICU are frequently discharged malnourished. Adequate nutrition is essential for optimal outcomes. It is considered best practice to administer nutrition as a liquid formula via a tube passed through the nose into the stomach, however this is frequently limited by impaired gastrointestinal function. We aim to develop more effective strategies for the provision of nutrition to improve nutritional and thereby clinical outcomes in critically ill patients.
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.
STARRT-AKI: STandard Versus Accelerated Initiation Of Renal Replacement Therapy In Acute Kidney Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,112,447.00
Summary
Acute kidney failure is increasing globally and there are no treatments proven to improve patient outcomes. The STARRT-AKI Study will, as part of an international collaboration, examine the effect upon patient survival of the timing of dialysis initiation in patients with acute kidney failure who are critically ill in intensive care units.