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.
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.
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.
Fluid resuscitation is widely used in the management of critically ill patients. There are a variety of different fluids available to doctors but there is little evidence regarding how effective they are. One of the most commonly used fluids, a hydroxyethyl starch was recently approved by the TGA for use in Australia. This project aims to compare how effective and safe this fluid is compared to another widely used fluid, saline, for resuscitation of critically ill patients in intensive care.
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.
Saving Money And Saving Lives: Integrating Comparative Effectiveness Trials And Translational Research In Critically Ill Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$338,938.00
Summary
I am a full-time Intensive Care Specialist in Sydney who combines clinician duties with research. My research is the design and conduct of large trials that have changed and will continue to change the management of critically ill patients around the world. I led two of the largest trials ever conducted in critically ill patients and have recently been funded to lead a further even larger trial. The Practitioner Fellowship will allow me to continue and expand this essential research.
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.
OzENTER-TBI_Australia-Europe NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research In TBI Collaboration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$368,823.00
Summary
The OzENTER-TBI project will advance the care of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. Researchers will collaborate with the European CENTER-TBI project to characterise and classify TBI. They will contribute to large data sets which will explore the differences between sites and countries on TBI outcomes. They will also investigate emerging technologies in TBI. It will have a profound impact on treatment, health care costs and ultimately quality of life for TBI patients worldwide.
I am an intensive care physician, clinician and researcher, interested in studying new therapies to improve outcomes in patienst with acute trauma, sepsis and lung injury. A main focus is independent phase 111 clinical trials in critically ill patients
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