I will determine the efficacy and safety of crystalloid resuscitation fluids in conventional models of care. This is a fundamental and unresolved question in Intensive Care Medicine and will have an impact on clinical practice worldwide. I will also consolidate and enhance a series of projects to provide the next generation of clinician-researchers with high-quality research opportunities. These include projects in sepsis, traumatic brain injury, and endocrine function in critical illness.
Sepsis is a major cause of hospitalization and ICU admission in Australia population corresponding to more than 15700 new cases each year. Every year more than 3000 people die from sepsis in Australia which is greater than the annual national road toll and breast, prostate or colorectal cancer. The research outlined in this proposal to study the effect of steroids and vitamin D to improve patient’s recovery from sepsis and also understand the genetic basis behind their ability to survive sepsis.
Therapeutic Potential Of Inhibiting Eph/ephrin Signalling To Repair The Vascular Endothelium In Septic Shock
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$664,734.00
Summary
Septic shock is a life-threatening condition usually caused by bacterial infection in the bloodstream. More than 5000 people, including 500 children, die from sepsis each year in Australia. Worldwide, it is the most significant cause of death in children. Sepsis is associated with leakage of fluid and proteins through the cells lining the blood vessels. This project will develop and test a novel treatment for sepsis which focuses on reducing this leakage by blocking the Eph/ephrin proteins.
A Multi Centre, Randomised, Blinded, Placebo Controlled Trial Comparing Intravenous Hydrocortisone With Placebo In Critically Ill Patients With Septic Shock.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$317,997.00
Summary
This study performed across Australia and New Zealand will evaluate whether hydrocortisone, a cheap drug when administered to critically ill patients with severe infection, will save lives.
Centre For Research Excellence In Advanced Cardio-respiratory Therapies Improving OrgaN Support (ACTIONS)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,593,631.00
Summary
Artificial hearts and lungs are increasingly used to support our most critically ill patients. A greater understanding of patient-machine interaction is needed to maximise their life-preserving potential. ACTIONS CRE will research device-related complications, improve device components, develop clinical practice guidelines, train clinical and engineering researchers and explore the cost benefits of this technology ensuring all Australians can access state-of-the-art mechanical life support.
Safer Fluid Resuscitation- Which (type), What (to Expect) And How (mechanisms)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$189,384.00
Summary
Intravenous fluid administration to patients is the most common clinical intervention, often done to help sick patents get better, however paradoxically it is associated with worsening oxygen levels and increased death rates. In humans and animal I have demonstrated increased respiratory dysfunction with its administration. This study aims to understand the efficacy, compare different types of fluids and establish safer fluid administration thereby decreasing patient suffering and death rates.
My program of research will focus on one of the most common interventions in medicine _ determining the best resuscitation fluid for resuscitation of critically ill patients. The program includes completion of a major clinical trial in intensive care followed by a series of comparative studies of past and current studies in Australia and internationally. These results will produce clear evidence that will be incorporated in practice guidelines to inform clinicians about optimal practice.
The Australasian Resuscitation In Sepsis Evaluation - Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,424,807.00
Summary
Patients with severe infections often present to Emergency Departments and early treatment with particular fluids, blood transfusions and stimulants, may improve survival rates. To determine whether early treatment is safe and effective in reducing deaths, the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Clinical Trials Group, in conjunction with the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine, plan to perform a large trial of early goal directed therapy in patients with severe infections.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of The Effect Of Hydrocortisone On Mortality In Critically Ill Patients With Septic Shock
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,432,452.00
Summary
This study performed across Australia and New Zealand will evaluate whether hydrocortisone, a cheap drug when administered to critically ill patients with severe infection, will save lives.