Research - Flinders Medical Centre ICCU

Both clinical and basic research is encouraged within the ICU. Regular meetings of the Research Committee are held where current and new research proposals are reviewed. In addition to assisting with a number of research and quality assurance projects, staff are able to help with study design including design of data collection forms and databases.

The Department also has a research laboratory which participates in both basic and clinical studies. It supports Research Higher Degree Candidature for Honours, Masters and PhD work. 

Specific Research Techniques

Clinical

  • Respiratory mechanics: pneumotachograph and pressure monitoring combined with A-D conversion allow analysis of work of breathing; measurement of pulmonary dead space and respiratory mechanics using a variety of techniques and mathematical models.

  • Echocardiography - Examination of preload, contractility, afterload, diastolic and systolic dysfunctions

  • Lung ultrasonography

  • Biomarkers: flow cytometry, histology and immunoassays provide analysis of blood and bronchoalveolar lavage for potential diagnostic and prognostic markers

  • Quality assurance activities including research into ICU mortality, nutrition, and other prospective observational audits

Laboratory Applied and Basic Research

  • Small animal models (rat, mice, Guinea pig) of acute lung injury (oleic acid, endotoxin, RSV bronchiolitis, acid aspiration, ventilator induced and fluid induced injury)

  • Lung mechanics in small animals. In addition to static V-P curves, mechanics are measured using either forced oscillation to derive elastance, tissue resistance and airway resistance or multiple linear regression analysis

  • Effect of chronic heart failure on lung homeostasis

  • Analysis of surfactant content and composition in humans and rats

  • Isolated perfused rat lung model

  • Quantification of lung and circulating mediators of inflammation and tissue remodelling by immunoassay

  • Examination of molecular regulation with real time RT-PCR

  • In vitro studies with primary cells and cell lines

Current ICU Research Projects

  • Mechanical ventilation in ICU

  • ARDS lung research

  • Intensive care admission and end-stage kidney disease

ANZICS Clinical Trial Group Studies

  • SPRINT SARI – Short Period Incidence study of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (COVID 19)
  • MEGA ROX - The Mega Randomised Registry Trial Comparing Conservative vs. Liberal Oxygenation Targets 
  • HAS FLAIR II - 20% Human Albumin Solution Fluid Bolus Administration Therapy in Patients after Cardiac Surgery-II
  • REMAP-CAP - A Community-Acquired Pneumonia clinical trial
  • The BLENDER Trial - Blend to Limit oxygen in ECMO: a randomised controlled Registry trial
  • EXCEL - A comprehensive Australian and New Zealand Registry on the treatment and outcomes of patients requiring ECMO
  • ARISE FLUIDS - Australasian Resuscitation In Sepsis Evaluation: FLUid or vasopressors In emergency Department Sepsis

Commercially sponsored clinical trials

  • REVIVAL - Human recombinant Alkaline Phosphatase in AKI

Contact details

Telephone: (08) 8204 4308