Dr Ned Douglas awarded ANZCA Project Grant

Dr Ned Douglas has been awarded an ANZCA project grant for his pilot study "Sympathetic Autonomic Dysfunction and the risk of Hypotension After Surgery."

The SAD HATS study is a pilot prospective observational study evaluating the feasibility of using the isometric handgrip test as a screening tool for autonomic dysfunction in adult patients who have had major non-cardiac surgery.
This trial aims to test the proposed procedures for a larger scale trial, to evaluate any association between sympathetic nervous system failure and postoperative hypotension in patients at high risk of postoperative hypotension. The study hypothesises that the procedures are feasible in patients in PACU, and that patients who have evidence of sympathetic autonomic dysfunction will be more likely to become hypotensive in the 24 hours after the surgery than patients who do not have such evidence, and that the isometric handgrip test will be feasible and acceptable to participants and research staff.