Rapidly giving intravenous fluid to prevent or treat shock (fluid resuscitation) is one of the commonest treatments given to critically ill patients. Current guidelines recommend crystalloid solutions but it is unknown whether any particular crystalloid is better than others. This trial will determine whether the use of one of two crystalloid fluids, saline or PlasmaLyte, reduces the risk of organ injuries, such as kidney failure, and improves patients chances of surviving critically illness.
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.
Targeted Therapeutic Mild Hypercapnia After Resuscitated Cardiac Arrest: A Phase III Multi-Centre Randomised Controlled Trial (The TAME Cardiac Arrest Trial)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,069,878.00
Summary
The TAME Cardiac Arrest trial will study the ability of higher carbon dioxide (CO2) levels to reduce brain damage, comparing giving patients ‘normal’ to ‘slightly higher than normal’ blood CO2 levels and assessing their ability to return to normal life-tasks. It will be the largest trial ever conducted in heart attack patients in the ICU. This therapy is cost free and, if shown to be effective, will improve thousands of Australian lives, transform clinical practice, and yield major savings.
Reduction Of Oxygen After Cardiac Arrest: The EXACT Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,891,021.00
Summary
We aim to conduct a Phase 3 multi-centre, randomised, controlled trial to determine whether reducing oxygen administration to target a normal level as soon as possible following successful resuscitation from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, compared to current practice of maintaining 100% oxygen, improves patient survival at hospital discharge.
Hypothermia Prior To Decompression For Treatment Of Acute Spinal Cord Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$294,163.00
Summary
In spinal cord injuries, the cord is compressed as a result of vertebral injury. Urgent relief of compression improves outcome, however, is difficult because of the complexity of pre-surgical management. Our data demonstrate that hypothermia stops compressive spinal cord injury, allowing decompression to be performed in a period that will benefit most patients. This project aims to undertake the studies necessary before beginning a human trial of hypothermia prior to decompressive surgery.
TORPIDO2- Targeted Oxygen For Resuscitation Of Preterm Infants Effects On Developmental Outcomes 2
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,293,459.00
Summary
Either too much or too little oxygen (O2) causes prolonged harm and death, even if this imbalance is for a few minutes, as at birth. Nowhere is this balance more critical than in the care of the extremely preterm infant (below 28 weeks gestation) with lung immaturity (requiring O2) and antioxidant deficiency. The Torpido 2 study will randomize 1350 infants below 28 weeks gestation to determine long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes and survival after resuscitation with either 21% O2 (room air) or
Proteases And Protease-inhibitor Complexes As Modulators Of Traumatic Brain Injury Severity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,311.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in Australia, affecting approximately 21,800 Australians annually. A large number of survivors have permanent neurological deficits, causing adverse effects on lifestyle and family relationships and placing a significant burden on the health system. In this project we will address a novel means to improve TBI outcome by targeting two linked enzyme systems that together have been shown to be deleterious in this conditi ....Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in Australia, affecting approximately 21,800 Australians annually. A large number of survivors have permanent neurological deficits, causing adverse effects on lifestyle and family relationships and placing a significant burden on the health system. In this project we will address a novel means to improve TBI outcome by targeting two linked enzyme systems that together have been shown to be deleterious in this condition.Read moreRead less
Optimising Lung Protective Ventilation At Birth Using The Volumetric Response Of The Lung In A Preterm Lamb Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,021.00
Summary
Prematurity is a common problem which constitutes a major health-care burden. The preterm lung often cannot function independently at birth but is very fragile and susceptible to damage from the very first breathes of life. Life-saving mechanical ventilatory support must protect the lung from injury as well aid lung function. This project aims to improve ventilation strategies for supporting and protecting the preterm lung using novel approaches and innovative technologies.