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 are possible theoretical reasons to re-assess its safety in patients with heart disease who are 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.
Spinal Outcome survey
This is a large multi-centre prospective audit of the outcome and methods of spinal anaesthesia.