Cardiothoracic Surgery

About Cardiothoracic Surgery Research

The Cardiothoracic Surgery Research team are collaborating with the Department of Mechanical Engineering on the clinical applications and early follow-up of results in robotic cardiac surgery. And we're developing a risk adjustment model for the outcomes of cardiac surgery. These are just two of our projects aimed at improving patient surgery outcomes now and in the future.

Julian Smith

Unit head

Prof Julian Smith

Our Head of Department, Professor Julian Smith, has more than three decades experience in medicine and surgery; with career highlights including development of the Heartport system of minimally invasive cardiac surgery and the first bridge to cardiac transplantation with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in Australia.

Find out more about Professor Julian Smith.

Unit supervisors

Mr Aubrey Almeida
+61 3 9594 4515
AubreyAlmeida@hotmail.com

A/Prof Andrew Cochrane
+61 3 9594 4515
andrew.cochrane@monashhealth.org

Mr Randall Moshinsky
+61 3 9594 4515
randallmoshinsky@bigpond.com

Research nurse

Ms Amanda Hulley
amanda.hulley@monashhealth.org

Location

Monash Medical Centre, Clayton

Cordiothoracic surgery research projects

  • Robotic cardiac surgery – clinical application, early follow-up of results; robotic, micromanipulation and nanotechnology research in association with the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
  • Pain management after thoracic surgery – evaluation of different analgesic delivery systems and analgesic agents
  • ANZSCTS Victorian Cardiac Surgery Database project – development of a risk adjustment model for outcomes of cardiac surgery and the assessment of other cardiac surgical outcomes.
  • Markers of and prediction of renal dysfunction after cardiac surgery in association with the Department of Physiology
  • A comparison of the outcomes of the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation utilising radiofrequency, cryotherapy or high intensity focused ultrasound
  • Trials of sutureless bioprostheses for valve replacement in the aortic position
  • Projects in vascular biology – the immunobiology of atherosclerosis including the role of activins
  • Projects in cardiovascular perfusion – inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass