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Ultrasound assessment of cardiac function and haemodynamics in critically ill patients

Summary

The use of ultrasound to assess the cardiac function and haemodynamic status in critically ill patients.

Supervisor

Professor Stephen Huang.

Research location

Nepean - Nepean Clinical School

Program type

Masters/PHD

Synopsis

A significant proportion of patients have cardiac problems in ICU. Some of them come with existing heart diseases; some develop cardiac dysfunction due to other diseases such as thromboembolism, severe infection or brain injury; some experience iatrogenic-related cardiac dysfunction. The detection of cardiac dysfunction and assessing the function are becoming a routine practice in ICU. Our research objectives are to find ways to assess the cardiac function objectively, and to search for methods that can offer early detection of cardiac dysfunction so that early measures can be taken before it is too late.

Many critically ill patients are presented with unstable haemodynamic and showing signs of tissue hypoperfusion. There are a number of causes for tissue hypoperfusion: is it the heart? Or, it is due to hypovolemia (e.g. dehydration). Giving fluid is an important part of the management, but different patient may need different amount of fluid. The challenge is deciding the adequate amount of fluid to give. Ultrasound may provide answers for such questions.

Additional information

These projects are suitable for candidates with a sonography or medical background.

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Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 691