Anaesthesia & Pain Management Unit (AMPU)
This unit was set up to incorporate the teaching and research activities of the University of Melbourne Anaesthetic community. There are many honorary clinical anaesthetists who contribute to these efforts. The main teaching revolves around echocardiography and ultrasound courses, which have evolved to become the leading method of education for ultrasound for the anaesthesia and critical care communities. In 2009, a major overhaul of the very successful post-graduate diploma course has been undertaken to provide a series of “nested” courses that will better tailor to the different requirements of separate craft groups or sub specialty groups.
Honorary members to the Department of Pharmacology include: A/Profs Michael Davies, David Crankshaw, Kate Leslie, Andrew Davidson; Scott Simmons, John Faris; Drs Paul Soeding, David Andrews, Alicia Dennis, Darsim Harji, Roman Kluger, David Canty, Michael Veltman, James Lai, Konstantin Yastrebov, James Griffiths, Peter Hebbard, Alwin Chuan, Geoffrey Frawley, Andrew Jeffreys , Ioana Arhanghleski, and Garry Donnan.
On the research front, a number of specialists are doing research high degree training. Dr Paul Soeding Has just been awarded his PhD investigating the cardiovascular effects of levosimendan. Dr David Andrews is conducting research into the organ protective effects of anaesthetic agents; Dr Alicia Dennis is investigating the role of echocardiography in women with pre-eclampsia; and Dr Darshim Harji is investigating the role of limited transthoracic echocardiography in the emergency department. We also conducting clinical research into the effects of different anaesthesia regimens on the development of POCD following cardiac surgery; validation of the postoperative quality recovery scale (PQRS) in patients undergoing ENT surgery; the effects of the beachchair position on cerebral blood flow, the use of a novel abdominal block (TAP block) in major abdominal surgery, the role of pregabalin in shoulder surgery, and the role of transthoracic echocardiography in preoperative assessment. In addition, there is a considerable amount of research being conducted in the affiliated hospitals by honorary members.
WEBSITE: www.heartweb.com.au
References 2008-9
Alsaddique AA, Royse AG, Royse CF, Fouda MA. Management of diastolic heart failure following cardiac surgery. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2009 Feb;35(2):241-9.
Canty DJ, Royse CF. Audit of anaesthetist-performed echocardiography on perioperative management decisions for non-cardiac surgery. Br J Anaesth. 2009 Jun 23.
Hebbard P, Royse C. Audit of transverse abdominus plane block for analgesia following caesarean section. Anaesthesia. 2008 Dec;63(12):1382.
Royse AG, Chang GS, Nicholas DM, Royse CF. No late ulnar artery atheroma after radial artery harvest for coronary artery bypass surgery. Ann Thorac Surg. 2008 Mar;85(3):891-4.
Royse C. Ultrasound education in anaesthesia: turning the tables on convention. Ann Card Anaesth. 2008 Jul-Dec;11(2):77-9.
Royse CF. High thoracic epidural anaesthesia for cardiac surgery. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2009 Feb;22(1):84-7.
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University of Melbourne affiliated institutions:
The following departments of anaesthesia and pain management are affiliated with the University of Melbourne
Austin and Repatriation General Hospitals
Ballarat Hospital
Barwon Health
Goulburn Health
Mercy Hospital
Northern Hospital
Royal Children’s Hospital
Royal Melbourne Hospital
Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
Royal Women’s Hospital
St Vincent’s Hospital
Wangaratta Hospital
Western Hospital
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Honorary appointments Aims
The aim of AMPU is to facilitate teaching and research efforts for the discipline of anaesthesia and incorporating pain medicine and perioperative medicine.
Evolution of group
The structure of the group and the teaching and research subcommittees are in evolution. Honorary appointments to the unit are encouraged from anaesthetists wishing to contribute to the University teaching and research efforts.
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