Leading Institute stroke specialist wins prestigious RPA Research Medal
Professor Craig Anderson
Executive Director RPA, Di Gill said Professor Anderson has established RPA as a major site for clinical research into stroke. He is leading some of the largest stroke trials in the world from his base at RPA and The George Institute.
"His research teams extend into Asia-pacific and he is a consultant to international organisations including the World Health Organisation," Ms Gill said.
"Professor Anderson and his team have made an enormous contribution to the treatment and prevention of stroke and other aspects of cardiovascular disease. "As a community we are all benefiting from his extensive research," she said.
Professor Anderson’s study into intensive blood pressure lowering in acute stroke is the world’s first large-scale randomised evaluation of the effects of early intensive blood pressure lowering in stroke patients.
More than 400 patients took part in the trial at 44 hospital sites in Australia (including RPA), China and South Korea. The results showed that early blood pressure reduction affected the amount of bleeding in the brain and that the treatment could possibly lower the risk of death and disability in stroke patients.
This pilot research has led to the National Health and Medical Research Council awarding his team a $2.6 million grant to expand the study. Starting this month, 3,000 stroke patients will be recruited into this trial, making it the world’s largest study addressing the importance of lowering elevated blood pressure in stroke.
In another randomised trial of nearly 30,000 patients in 41 countries across the world, Professor Anderson examined the head-to-head comparative and combined effects of the two commonly used blood pressure lowering drugs.
The research showed that treatment with either an ARB or an ACE-inhibitor was equally effective, but that their combination did not provide extra health benefits to patients at high risk of heart disease, stroke and heart failure. In fact, the combination treatment was shown to increase adverse effects such as dizziness and blackouts as well as more serious kidney problems.
These results have influenced guidelines and public health policy regarding the treatment of high blood pressure, with the recommendation that combined treatment of ARBs and ACE-inhibitors should be avoided in routine clinical practice.
Ms Gill said Professor Anderson’s research is of global significance. Cardiovascular diseases are a major heath care problem around the world.
"In Australia stroke is the second highest killer after heart disease and the leading cause of disability in adults. Each year almost 10,000 people in NSW will experience a stroke and up to one third will die.
"Professor Anderson has dedicated 20 years to stroke research and is a worthy recipient of the RPA Medal.
"He has published 200 papers, including two articles in the New England Journal of Medicine and another in The Lancet this year. He has also given 100 invited lectures at major international meetings and is a member of the editorial board for several scientific journals," she said.
Professor Anderson was recently awarded guest Professorship of Peking University Health Sciences Centre in recognition of his contribution to research and health in China and elsewhere. He is also Professor of Stroke Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience at The University of Sydney.
The RPA Foundation Medal was established in 2000 to award and recognise excellence and outstanding achievement in medical research at RPA.
The winner is awarded the coveted RPA Foundation Medal and a cheque for $50,000 enabling the Medal winner to undertake further research in their chosen area of expertise.
Previous winners of the prize have been recognised for their groundbreaking research in liver disease, cancer, gene therapy, tuberculosis and alcohol-induced brain damage.