Research Activities

The research unit is headed by Professor Paul Myles, and funded through a number of large NHMRC grants. Paul is supported by an NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship.

The unit is staffed by:

Current Research Trials

The unit manages and participates in numerous multicentre and local clinical trials at any one time.

ATACAS Trial

Aspirin and Tranexamic Acid for Coronary Artery Surgery Trial

ENIGMA-II  Trial

Nitrous oxide anaesthesia and cardiac morbidity after major surgery.

ENDOTHELIAL Function study
Prospective observational pilot study to assess the utility of endothelial dysfunction, to predict perioperative cardiac complications in patients undergoing high-risk surgical procedures.

MASTER Recurrence Trial
Perioperative Epidural Analgesia for Major Abdominal Surgery and Incidence of Late Cancer Recurrence

Development Grant– BIS Depth of Anaesthesia Monitor
Development and clinical evaluation of a depth of anaesthesia monitor.

VAS
Victorian Anaesthesia Safety (VAS) Project
The aim of the project is to establish a robust database of both numerator (the number of incidents and adverse events) and denominator (number of anaesthetic procedures) data.  This data will be used to inform the anaesthesia community about the frequency of such events.   Further data analysis will be conducted to provide information on which to base improvements in both the capture of anaesthesia data and in the safety of anaesthesia practice.

ACE
Anaesthesia Cognition Evaluation (ACE) Study
The study will explore the relationship between MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) and POCD, providing information about the incidence, natural history and risk factors for POCD. This work will enable further research to isolate specific aetiological factors and identify therapeutic and prophylactic strategies.

The VATS Trial
A prospective study of the effects of Pregabalin versus placebo when combined with PCA analgesia on the incidence and intensity of pain after thoracoscopy.

Australian and Chinese Cohort Study
A prospective cohort analysis of opioid effectiveness and sensitivity in a group of Chinese and Australian patients having major surgery

S201
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, MultiCenter Study of IK-1001 to Evaluate Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Proof-Of-Concept Efficacy for Reduction of Ischemia-Reperfusion Mediated Cardiac Injury in Participants Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery

With the numerous registrars undergoing specialist training in Anaesthesia, each registrar must complete a research project as part of their specialist qualifications. During 2008, eight projects were completed, including randomised trials and audits.