This page describes some of the current clinical trials in the department. Patients are welcome to ask our staff about enrolling in one of these trials. Also, for some general information about clinical trails in medicine see this report from the ABC 7:30 Report.
The ENIGMA II Trial.
This is a large international study that aims to assess the safety of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) in patients having surgery. Nitrous oxide is used a component of general anaesthesia. It has been given to millions of patients over the last 150 years. However there is some theoretical reasons to now re-assess its safety in patients with heart disease having surgery.
Sleep apnoea and anaesthesia
This study is using a questionnaire to see if it can predict breathing troubles after general anaesthesia.
The Episure study
Epidurals can be very effective for relieving the pain after major surgery. We are studying the use of a new epidural syringe to see if it helps with the success of epidural pain relief.
The Vision Study
This a large study will examine the causes of heart problems after major surgery. Heart complications are an important cause of complications after major surgery.