CLINICAL SCIENCES

ADVANCED LUNG DISEASE & PULMONARY VASCULAR Unit

Pulmonary Vascular and Advanced Lung Diseases

This is a new Unit within AARI and its main focus will be on pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism and diseases that often require transplantation if other therapies are not successful. The unit also manages patients once they have had a lung or combined heart and lung transplantation.

Current Research Activities

This unit investigates the prevalence and mechanisms underlying advanced lung diseases including pulmonary vascular diseases, airway complications of lung transplantation and various interstitial lung diseases. We also are interested in mechanisms, which aim to reduce the symptomatic burden for patients with severe lung diseases. The unit is currently located on the Royal Perth Campus and interacts with relevant groups on that site.

In the area of pulmonary vascular disease, our particular areas of interest includes novel therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension as well as assessing the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension and other lung diseases in a variety of conditions including the obese and patients with haematological and rheumatological diseases. We are examining the role of exercise testing in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary arterial hypertension. We are examining novel therapies to deal with pulmonary hypertension, which can complicate pulmonary thromboembolic diseases. We are interested in the genetics of pulmonary hypertension as well as potential environmental stimuli.

In the area of lung transplantation, we are particularly interested in the mechanisms, which underlie obliterative bronchiolitis, the most important complication, which limits the effectiveness of lung transplantation. We are also involved in examining novel therapeutic agents in patients with severe interstitial lung disease.

The Institute is actively supporting research into neural structures in the airway and their interaction with cells in the epithelium. Lung cancer studies are also being supported.

Potential PhD Projects

-The role of exercise testing and prescription in the assessment and management of Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
- Optimising exercise rehabilitation in patients with advanced lung disease
- Adult respiratory outcomes of low birth weight individuals with oxygen dependence at 36 weeks equivalent gestational age.
Contact person (s): Robin Fowler

Potential Honours Projects

The adequacy of quality of Life measurements in the assessment of patients with PAH

Contact person (s): Eli Gabbay

Potential Undergraduate Cadetship Projects

- Adult respiratory outcomes of low birth weight individuals with oxygen dependence at 36 weeks equivalent gestational age

Contact person (s): Dan Chambers

Other Useful Information