- About
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The Vascular Surgery Research Group has been based at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH) for approximately 20 years now. Our group consists of both clinicians and scientists. Major interests include peripheral arterial disease and associated impaired wound healing in patients with diabetes. Research projects address aspects of the pathophysiology of vascular inflammation and wound healing, potential therapies and their clinical implications
Researchers
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Professor Robert Fitridge
Position: Lead Researcher
Theme: Cardiovascular Disease
Phone: +61 8 8222 7711
Profile: View profile
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Dr Prue Cowled
Position: Principal Medical Scientist
Theme: Cardiovascular Disease
Phone: +61 8 8222 7541
Email: prue.cowled@adelaide.edu.au
UoA: Prue Cowled
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Dr Neil McMillan
Position: Senior Research Officer
Theme: Cardiovascular Disease
Profile: View profile
UoA: Neil McMillan
Students
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Dr Guilherme Pena
Position: Student
Theme: Cardiovascular Disease
Email: guilherme.pena@sa.gov.au
Profile: View profile
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Dr Beatrice Kuang
Position: Student
Theme: Cardiovascular Disease
Email: beatrice.kuang@sa.gov.au
Profile: View profile
Additional staff members
Mr Joe Dawson, Consultant Vascular Surgeon
Ms Ruth Battersby, Clinical Trials Coordinator (based at the RAH)
Alumni: Postgraduate degrees awarded since 2010
| Name | Year Awarded | Supervisors | Title of Thesis |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhD completions | University of Adelaide | ||
| Dr Nadira Ruzehaji | 2013 | Cowin A, Fitridge R | The role of cytoskeletal protein Flightless 1 in diabetic wound healing |
| Ms Kanchani Rhadjopadhyaya | 2013 | Wilson D, Beltrame J, Fitridge R | Vascular Reactivity in patients with peripheral arterial disease |
| MSc in Surgical Science | University of Adelaide | ||
| Dr Rama Ravula | 2014 | Fitridge R, Cowled P | Grading of Iliac artery tortuosity and calcification and its association with deployment-related complications following EVAR |
| Dr Ben Thurston | 2015 | Fitridge R and Cowled P | Quantification of iliac artery calcification and its influence on outcomes following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair |
| BSc Honours | University of Adelaide | ||
| Clementine Labrosciano | 2016 | Beltrame J, Fitridge R and Cowled P | Is there a relationship between Ankle Brachial Index and Health Status in patients with Peripheral Artery Disease? |
Approximately 75% of lower limb amputations in Australia are associated with diabetic foot ulcers. Predisposing factors contributing to the risk of amputation are the presence and severity of infection and ischaemia, size of the ulcer and presence of osteomyelitis. The Wifi model, which takes these factors into account, has recently been developed. We aim to externally validate the Wifi model and assess what other factors are correlated with outcomes.
Up to 25% of people with diabetes will develop non-healing ulcers. Inflammation is a fundamental component of normal wound healing but excessive inflammation is a major contributing factor leading to chronic non-healing wounds. We aim to identify immune specific integrins in chronic wounds and determine whether immune specific integrin function-blocking antibodies dampen inflammation and improve healing in diabetic mouse models.
Hinchliffe RJ, Forsythe RO, Apelqvist J, Boyko EJ, Fitridge R, et al on behalf of the IWGDF PAD Working Group. Guidelines on Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Management of Peripheral Artery Disease in Patients With Foot Ulcers and Diabetes (IWGDF 2019 Update). Diabetes Metab Res Rev; 2020. Mar;36 Suppl 1.
Pubmed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31958217/
Saxon JT, Safley DM, Mena-Hurtado C, Heyligers J, Fitridge R, Shishehbor M, Spertus JA, Gosch K, Patel MR, Smolderen KG. Adherence to Guideline-Recommended Therapy-Including Supervised Exercise Therapy Referral-Across Peripheral Artery Disease Specialty Clinics: Insights From the International PORTRAIT Registry. J Am Heart Assoc; 2020. Feb 4;9(3).
Pubmed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31973609/
Pena G, Kuang B, Cowled P, Howell S, Dawson J, Philpot R, Fitridge R. Micronutrient Status in Diabetic Patients with Foot Ulcers. Adv Wound Care ; 2020. Jan 1;9(1):9-15.
Pubmed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31871826/
Conte MS, Bradbury AW, Kolh P, White JV, Dick F, Fitridge R, Mills JL, Ricco JB, Suresh KR, Murad MH, Aboyans V, Aksoy M, Alexandrescu VA, Armstrong D, Azuma N, Belch J, Bergoeing M, Bjorck M, Chakfé N, Cheng S, Dawson J, Debus ES, et al. GVG Writing Group for the Joint Guidelines of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS), and World Federation of Vascular Societies (WFVS). Global Vascular Guidelines on the Management of Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg; 2019. Jul;58(1S):S1-S109.e33.
Pubmed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31182334/
Pena G, Cowled P, Dawson J, Johnson B, Robert Fitridge R. Diabetic foot and lower limb amputations: Underestimated problem with a cost to health system and to the patient. ANZ J Surg; 2018. 88(7-8):666-670.
Pubmed Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/ans.14436
Boult M, Barnes M, Cowled P, Fitridge RA. Fitness Plus American Society of Anesthesiologists Grade Improve Outcome Prediction After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair. ANZ J Surg; 2017. Sep;87(9):682-687.
Pubmed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28691319/
Thurston B, Pena G, Howell S, Cowled P, Fitridge R. Low total psoas area as scored in the clinic setting independently predicts mid-term mortality following EVAR. J Vasc Surg; 2018. Feb;67(2):460-467.
Pubmed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28843791/
| Chief Investigators | Granting Body | Project Title | Type of Grant | Total Grant Amount | Funding Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program led by Prof Alex Brown (SAHMRI). R Fitridge -expert clinical advisor. | Australian Government | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diabetic Foot Program | Program Grant | $6 million | 2020 - 2022 |
| RA Fitridge, C Bursill, S Nicholls | The Hospital Research Foundation /BioMed City | An Evaluation of the association between High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) levels and functionality with the rate of wound healing in diabetic and non-diabetic patients | Translational Grant | $250,000 | 2018 - 2020 |
| RA Fitridge, C Delaney, M Miller | Vascular Foundation (ANZSVS) | Predicting outcomes in patients with diabetic foot ulcers and effectiveness of interventions to improve outcomes | Project Grant | $37,500 | 2017 |
| C Pham, J Karnon, C Gibb, R Fitridge, G Maddern | Health Services Charitable Gifts Board | Predicting 12-month mortality risk in elderly patients after elective surgery | $252,000 | 2015 - 2017 | |
| J Karnon, C Gibb, R Fitridge, V Marshall, J Field | NHMRC | Economic evaluation and optimisation of services for the preoperative assessment and management of high risk surgical patients | Project Grant | $386,155 | 2012 – 2014 |
| J Golledge, P Norman, P Walker, A Ahimastos, R Dalman, R Fitridge | NHMRC | TElmisartan in the management of abDominal aortic aneurYsm (TEDY) | Project Grant | $1,105,893 | 2012 – 2016 |
| J Golledge, C Rush, P Walker, R Fitridge, R Muller | NHMRC | The role of the clotting cascade in aortic aneurysm and associated cardiovascular events | Project Grant | $619,911 | 2011 – 2013 |
| J Golledge, B Kingwell, P Norman, A Tonkin, R Fitridge, C Reid, P Walker, G Hankey, J Fletcher, M Nelson | NHMRC | National Centre of Research Excellence to improve management of peripheral arterial disease | Centres of Research Excellence | $2,499,250 | 2010 – 2014 |
| R Fitridge, M Boult, J Golledge, G Maddern, M Thompson, M Barnes | NHMRC | Evaluating a decision-making model for EVAR | Project Grant | $1,075,595 | 2009 - 2015 |
| Project title | Collaborator | Institution | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PORTRAIT Registry: Patient-centered Outcomes Related to Treatment practices in peripheral Arterial disease: an International Trajectory | Professor John Beltrame | Discipline of Medicine, The University of Adelaide | Adelaide | Australia |
| PORTRAIT Registry | Dr John Spertus | Mid-America Heart Institute | Kansas City | USA |
| PORTRAIT Registry | Dr Johan Denollet | Tilburg University | Tilburg | The Netherlands |
| Steering Committee for development of the new Global Vascular Guidelines on the Management of Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia (Society for Vascular Surgery, European Society for Vascular Surgery and World Federation of Vascular Societies) | ||||
| International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) | ||||
| External Validation of a Model to Predict Mortality Following Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair | Dr Manar Khashram | Waikato Health Service | Hamilton | New Zealand |
| An Evaluation of the association between High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) levels and functionality with the rate of wound healing in diabetic and non-diabetic patients | A/Prof Christina Bursill | SAHMRI | Adelaide | Australia |
| Arterial Biobank to Study Novel Mediators and Markers of Atherosclerosis | A/Prof Peter Psaltis | SAHMRI | Adelaide | Australia |
| Development of a diagnostic platform for preventative wound management | Professor Allison Cowin | University of South Australia | Mawson Lakes | Australia |
| The specific nature of the host-associated bacterial population in people that develop diabetic foot infections, diabetic foot ulcers and control participants | Dr Stephen Kidd | The University of Adelaide | Adelaide | Australia |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Diabetic Foot Program | Professor Alex Brown | SAHMRI | Adelaide | Australia |
