Dr Luke Perry

Simplifying care to improve outcomes in patients undergoing open heart surgery

Dr Luke Perry, The University of Melbourne

2022 Vanguard Grant

Years funded: 2023-2023

Over 2 million patients undergo open heart surgery annually and 1 in 4 will suffer a major complication. Pulmonary artery catheters are commonly used to measure cardiac function during and after open heart surgery, but observational studies suggest they may trigger unnecessary and invasive treatments, leading to unintended complications. These devices have never been rigorously tested in a randomised controlled trial (RCT), so there is significant uncertainty about their role in routine practice. The PUMA Pilot will establish the foundations of a world-first multicentre RCT (PUMA II) that will define clinical practice guidelines and policy in the perioperative management of millions of patients globally. This research has public health and economic implications, and could shield hundreds of thousands of patients from a potentially dangerous invasive monitoring device, translating into simplified and value-based care, reduced disability and death, and increased ICU bed capacity by reducing length of stay by over 35%.