Overview
Established in 2002, the Institute of Pediatric Anesthesia (IPA) at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is the only institute in the world dedicated to advancing the specialty. The IPA is the research engine of the Department of Anesthesia and has three goals:
- To discover the molecular, cellular, physiologic and clinical elements of pediatric anesthesia and pain management, and translate these elements into clinical practice
- To develop the next generation of basic scientists and clinical researchers in the field of pediatric anesthesia and pain management
- To lead the field of pediatric anesthesia and pain management in the translation of research to clinical practice
The IPA presently focuses on three areas:
- Neurobiology: investigates brain plasticity and brain cell death in immature systems. Translation to prevent hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (cell death) in critically ill infants, such as those with congenital heart disease and to develop therapies to promote recovery (plasticity). Researchers are using infant animal models that simulate the clinical situation and apply molecular, cellular and behavioral techniques to study mechanisms and develop treatments.
Investigators: John McAuliffe, MD, Andreas Loepke, MD PhD, Dean Kurth, MD, Steve Danzer, PhD, George Istaphanous, MD
Support staff: John McCann, Bernadin Joseph, Raymund Pun, PhD, Cynthia Walter, Beth Albers
Fellows: Lindsey Nelson MD - Clinical trials: evaluates the effectiveness of new drugs and devices in children receiving anesthesia and pain management. Researchers are examining the relationship between neurologic outcome and brain activity in infants with congenital heart disease using new technologies, and are studying the effect of new drugs on postoperative pain management in children.
Investigators: Joel Gunter, MD, Jim Spaeth, MD, Ken Goldschneider, MD
Support staff: Eileen Beckman RN - Health services: determines "best practice" on an organizational basis for children receiving anesthesia and pain management. Researchers are studying satisfaction, quality of care, and economic indicators of anesthesia pre-operative preparation processes in a large population of children.
Investigators: Anna Varughese, MD, Terri Byczkowski, PhD
Support staff: Kate Karelina
