Perioperative Cardiovascular
Research Group
Advancing surgical outcomes and quality of life
What we're about
Globally, people with cardiac disease are dying after surgery – a third of all post surgical deaths relate to heart disease in noncardiac surgery procedures. We often don’t know exactly why this is happening or how to respond to reduce mortality. There is limited data on how patients with cardiovascular disease are managed in the pre-operative period, on the quality of perioperative care and on how to optimise these patients before, during and after surgery. We are committed to research, teaching, leadership and collaboration on perioperative cardiovascular research.
Who we are
The Perioperative Cardiovascular Research Group is part of the Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, and associated with the Division of Global Surgery in the Department of Surgery. Our vision is a South Africa where everyone can access surgery which is safe, life enhancing and supports cardiac health. Our mission is to undertake clinical research to inform excellent, evidence-based perioperative care for cardiac patients needing non cardiac surgery, towards improved surgical outcomes and a better quality of life.
Dr Christella Alphonsus is a clinician with a PhD in Anaesthesia and conducts research in Perioperative Cardiovascular Medicine.
Our Story
Our approach to improving perioperative cardiovascular outcomes is to provide a more effective framework for delivering perioperative cardiovascular care in South Africa and Africa.
Our objectives are to:
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Expand the field of perioperative research, and address knowledge gaps.
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Produce innovative solutions and incorporate evidence-based practices into routine clinical practice.
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Strengthen relationships with patient communities and improved medical literacy among patients and communities.
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Improve the understanding of policy gaps and systemic opportunities for strengthening perioperative cardiac care.
LONG-TERM IMPACTS
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Improvement in pre-anaesthetic clinic services
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More effective framework for delivering perioperative cardiovascular care in South Africa and Africa
This contributes towards a South Africa where everyone can access surgery which is safe, life enhancing, and supports cardiac health
