On

Vascular Surgery Research

From the early years of vascular surgery in Australia, Concord Repatriation General Hospital has a reputation for innovative surgical research.

In recent years, our research has focused on cross-discipline collaborative research and population-wide surgical outcomes. Our population-based research evaluates the impact of age-related illness on vascular outcomes. Collaborating with the geriatric medicine department, we have designed and evaluated the Geri-CoV service, a shared-care model designed to enhance surgical outcomes and decrease complications in older patients admitted for vascular issues.

Our focus on patient centred outcomes is developed through qualitative research projects evaluating patient experiences with chronic-limb threatening ischaemia and amputation. We also are active in a number of translational research projects, evaluating new and innovative therapies to treat vascular disease. Concord has been the lead site for multicentre trainee collaborative research trials in vascular illness, in particular the Australian lead site for the COVID-19 Vascular sERvice (COVER) study.

The unit is very engaged in teaching, both at medical student and for doctors in training. We have research projects related to medical education and development. Members of our research team have active teaching roles with the University of Sydney and Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Our Research Team

Dr Richard Kerdic	Vascular Surgeon, Clinical Researcher, Head of Department
Dr Sarah Aitken	Vascular Surgeon, Clinical Academic, Clinical Researcher, Co-chair Concord Institute of Academic Surgery
Dr Robert Tang	Vascular Surgeon, Clinical Researcher, Coordinator University of Sydney MS vascular unit
Dr Saissan Rajendran	Vascular Surgeon, Clinical Researcher, MPhil candidate
Dr Sue Monaro	Vascular Clinical Nurse Consultant, Clinical Researcher

Our Publications

2023

Aitken S, Wu R, Vasudevan T. To maintain qualified privilege and surgeon participation, clinical audit databases must adapt to changing regulations and emerging technologies. ANZ J Surg. 2023 Oct;93(10):2278-2280. doi: 10.1111/ans.18656.

Cartland SP, Stanley CP, Bursill C, Passam F, Figtree GA, Patel S, Loa J, Golledge J, Robinson DA, Aitken SJ, Kavurma MM. Sex, Endothelial Cell Functions, and Peripheral Artery Disease. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Dec 13;24(24):17439. doi: 10.3390/ijms242417439.

Cutmore C, Hajian H, Aitken S. Is it time for integrated academic pathways in SET training? ANZ J Surg. 2023 May;93(5):1130-1131. doi: 10.1111/ans.18380. Epub 2023 Mar 13.

Jheun A, Cutmore C, Lee K, Rajendran S. Cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery. ANZ J Surg. 2023 Oct;93(10):2535-2536. doi: 10.1111/ans.18519. Epub 2023 May 20.

Kavurma MM, Boccanfuso L, Cutmore C, Passam F, Patel S, Hennessy A, Loa J, Figtree GA, Golledge J, Robinson DA, Aitken S. A hidden problem: peripheral artery disease in women. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes. 2023 Jun 21;9(4):342-350. doi: 10.1093/ehjqcco/qcad011.

Manewell SM, Aitken SJ, Nube VL, Crawford AM, Constantino MI, Twigg SM, Menz HB, Sherrington C, Paul SS. Timing of minor and major amputation in patients with diabetes-related foot ulceration admitted to two public tertiary referral hospitals in Australia. ANZ J Surg. 2023 Jun;93(6):1510-1516. doi: 10.1111/ans.18224. Epub 2022 Dec 28.

Rajendran S, Brown KGM, Solomon MJ. Oncovascular surgery for advanced pelvic malignancy. Br J Surg. 2023 Jan 10;110(2):144-149. doi: 10.1093/bjs/znac414.

Rajendran S, Nguyen CL, Brown KGM, Solomon MJ. Clinical algorithm for the management of advanced pelvic tumours involving the aortoiliac axis. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2023 Jul;49(7):1317-1319. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2023.03.207. Epub 2023 Mar 12.

Rajendran S, Nguyen CL, Brown KGM, Solomon MJ. The evolution of oncovascular pelvic surgery: A historical perspective. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2023 Jul;49(7):1314-1316. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2023.01.018. Epub 2023 Jan 18.

Stavert B, Monaro S, Naganathan V, Aitken S. Frailty predicts increased risk of reintervention in the 2 years after arteriovenous fistula creation. J Vasc Access. 2023 Nov;24(6):1428-1437. doi: 10.1177/11297298221088756. Epub 2022 Apr 21.

Thillainadesan J, Box H, Kearney L, Naganathan V, Cunich M, Aitken SJ, Monaro SR. The experience of hospital care for older surgical patients and their carers: A mixed-methods study. Australas J Ageing. 2023 Sep;42(3):535-544. doi: 10.1111/ajag.13176. Epub 2023 Feb 27.

Thillainadesan J, Naganathan V, Hilmer SN, Kerdic R, Aitken SJ. Microlearning for surgical residents enhances perioperative comprehensive geriatric assessment. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2023 Dec;71(12):E30-E33. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18612. Epub 2023 Sep 29.

Wang J, James S, Hilmer SN, Aitken SJ, Soo G, Naganathan V, Kearney L, Thillainadesan J. Optimising Medications in Older Vascular Surgery Patients Through Geriatric Co-management. Drugs Aging. 2023 Apr;40(4):335-342. doi: 10.1007/s40266-023-01015-7. Epub 2023 Mar 2.

2021

Aitken SJ, Lujic S, Randall DA, Noguchi N, Naganathan V, Blyth F. Response to Correspondence re 'Predicting outcomes in older patients undergoing vascular surgery using the Hospital Frailty Risk Score' by Guijuri et al. British Journal of Surgery 108 (2):e96; DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znaa135

Bubb KJ, Harmer JA, Finemore M, Aitken SJ, Ali ZS, Billot L, Chow C, Golledge J, Mister R, Gray MP, Grieve SM, Hamburg N, Keech AC, Patel S, Puttaswamy V, Figtree GA. Protocol for the Stimulating β3-Adrenergic Receptors for Peripheral Artery Disease (STAR-PAD) trial: a double-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled study evaluating the effects of mirabegron on functional performance in patients with peripheral arterial disease. BMJ Open. 2021; 28;11(9):e049858. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049858.

Choy OS, Manewell S, Rajendran S, Aitken SJ. Variation in treatment and outcomes for patients with chronic limb‐threatening ischaemia in New South Wales, Australia. ANZ Journal of Surgery 2021; DOI 10.1111/anz.16886

Farah S, Kwok R, Dean A, Sivakumaran Y, Khoo S, Joret M, Jansen S, Aitken SJ. The prescription of best medical therapy following infrainguinal bypass grafting in Australia and New Zealand: a multicentre Australasian audit. ANZ Journal of Surgery 91 (1-2) 2021; DOI: 10.1111/ans.16469

Lahoud J, Fong V, Rajendran S, Tse V. Desmoid fibromatosis involving the ureter: A rare presentation with intraoperative challenges. Urol Case Rep. 2021 Oct 13;40:101883. doi: 10.1016/j.eucr.2021.101883.

Monaro, S., Pinkova, J., Ko, N., Stromsmoe, N., & Gullick, J. (2021). Chronic wound care delivery in wound clinics, community nursing and residential aged care settings: a qualitative analysis using Levine's Conservation Model. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 30(9-10), 1295-1311. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15674

Monaro, S., West, S., & Gullick, J. (2021). Chronic limb‐threatening ischaemia and reframing the meaning of 'end'. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 30(5-6), 687-700. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15591

Rajendran S, Brown KGM, Solomon MJ, Austin KKS, Lee PJ, Robinson D, Steffens D. Complete resection of the iliac vascular system during pelvic exenteration: an evolving surgical approach to lateral compartment excision. Br J Surg. 2021 Aug 19;108(8):885-887. doi: 10.1093/bjs/znab070.

Schasser, S., Monaro, S., & West, S. (2021). Linking hospital and residential aged care: A Nurse-led Vascular-Geriatric Model of Care. Contemporary Nurse, 1-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10376178.2021.1991414

STARSurg Collaborative and COVIDSurg Collaborative, Death following pulmonary complications of surgery before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, British Journal of Surgery, 108 (12) 2021: 1448-1464, DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znab336 *Aitken SJ Concord Hospital Site Lead

Stavert B, Aitken SJ. Editorial- Reducing the number of unplanned returns to hospital after treatment for peripheral artery disease. Medical Journal of Australia, 2021; DOI 10.5694/mja2.51369

Tan JWC, Chew DP, Brieger D, Eikelboom J, Montalescot G, Ako J, Kim B, Quek D, Aitken SJ, Chow CK, Chour S, Tse H, Kaul U, Firdaus I, Kubo T, Liew BW, Chong TT, Sin KYK, Yeh H, Buddhari W, Chunhamaneewat N, Hasan F, Fox KAA, Nguyen QN, Lo STH. 2020 Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology Consensus Recommendations on Antithrombotic Management for High-risk Chronic Coronary Syndrome. European Cardiology Review 2021; 16:e26. DOI:https://doi.org/10.15420/ecr.2020.45

Thillainadesan J, Hilmer S, Cullen J, Aitken SJ, Kerdic R, Monaro S, Naganathan V. GeriCO-V reduces delirium in older vascular inpatients. Australasian Journal on Ageing 2021; 40 (1):24

Thillainadesan J, Hilmer S, Cullen J, Aitken SJ, Monaro S, Kerdic R, Naganathan V. Geriatric Co-management of Older Vascular Surgery Inpatients Reduces Hospital-Acquired Geriatric Syndromes. J Am Med Dir Assoc, 2021;S1525-8610(21)00903-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2021.09.037

Thillainadesan J, Hilmer S, Mudge A, Aitken SJ, Kearney L, Monaro S, Li SJ, Schasser S, Kerdic R, Tang R, Naganathan V. Understanding the role and value of process quality indicators in older vascular surgery inpatients. Journal of Surgical Research 2021; 267: 91-101 doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2021.05.003.

VERN Collaborative*. Outcomes of Vascular and Endovascular Interventions Performed During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: The Vascular and Endovascular Research Network (VERN) Covid-19 Vascular Service (COVER) Tier 2 Study. Annals of Surgery Dec 2020; DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000004722 *Aitken SJ Australian International Lead

Waird, A., & Monaro, S. (2021). Reducing the incidence and severity of pressure injuries in a high level care residential aged facility: A quality improvement project. Wound Practice & Research: Journal of the Australian Wound Management Association, 29(2), 77-85. DOI: 10.3316/informit.893413724048964

2020

VERN COVER COLLABORATIVE Aitken SJ. Global impact of the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic wave on vascular services. British Journal of Surgery 2020; 107: 1396-1400.

Aitken SJ. Peripheral artery disease in the lower limbs: The importance of secondary risk prevention for improved long-term prognosis. Australian journal of general practice 2020; 49: 239.

Aitken SJ, Lujic S, Randall DA, et al. Predicting outcomes in older patients undergoing vascular surgery using the Hospital Frailty Risk Score. BJS (British Journal of Surgery) 2020.

Aitken SJ, Randall DA, Noguchi N, et al. Multiple Peri-Operative Complications are Associated with Reduced Long Term Amputation Free Survival Following Revascularisation for Lower Limb Peripheral Artery Disease: A Population Based Linked Data Study. European journal of vascular and endovascular surgery 2020; 59: 437-445.

Aitken SJ, Thillainadesan J, Monaro S, et al. Collaborative models of care for older vascular surgery patients admitted to hospital. ANZ Journal of Surgery 2020; 90: 1232-1233.

Farah S, Kwok R, Dean A, Sivakumaran Y, Khoo S, Joret M, Jansen S, Aitken S, Australian and New Zealand Vascular Trials Network. The prescription of best medical therapy following infrainguinal bypass grafting in Australia and New Zealand: a multicentre Australasian audit. ANZ Journal of Surgery 2020.

Thillainadesan J, Yumol MF, Hilmer S, Aitken S, Naganathan V et al. Interventions to Improve Clinical Outcomes in Older Adults Admitted to a Surgical Service: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association 2020.

Cai T, Rajendran S, Saha P, Dubenec S. Paget-schroetter syndrome: a contemporary review of the controversies in management. Phlebology. 2020 Feb 6 doi: 10.1177/0268355519898920.

Gondoputro W, Rajendran S, Celermajer D, and Qasabian, R. An unusual case of upper limb ischemia in a marathon runner, Journal of Vascular Surgery Cases and Innovative Techniques, 2020: 6, 1: 160-164.

Nguyen T, Rajendran S, Brown KGM, Saha P, Qasabian, R. Incisional hernia following open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: a comtemporary review of risk factors and prevention. Vascular and Endovascular review. Vascular & Endovascular Review 2020; 3: e01. https://doi.org/10.15420/ver.2019.01.R1

2019

Vascular Surgery Research

Our Research Team

Our Publications

2023

Vascular Surgery Research

Vascular Surgery Research

Our Organisation

Make a Donation

Our Hospitals

Right to Information

Plans

Publications

Quick Links