Dr Melanie Wittwer
Research Coordinator
Adelaide Medical School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD (as Co-Supervisor) - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Dr Melanie Wittwer is an Affiliate Associate Lecturer at the University of Adelaide and a member of the Northern Cardiology Research Group under the direction of A/Prof Margaret Arstall.
She obtained her PhD from the University of Adelaide in 2022. Melanie is also a Grant Funded Scientist both in the Department of Cardiology and in the Intensive Care Unit at the Lyell McEwin Hospital, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN).
Melanie has research interests in:
- Cardiovascular risk, pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, vascular function, and outcomes in women.
- Translational research in resuscitation medicine, including effectiveness research for survivors of out of hospital cardiac arrest and development of systems of care for the deteriorating patient in an acute health setting.
Northern Cardiovascular Research Group (Lyell McEwin Hospital)
Our research group aims to improve outcomes for people with cardiovascular disease in northern Adelaide. Our main research themes include management of coronary heart disease, heart disorders during pregnancy, and heart disease in women.
Our group is currently able to supervise third year, summer scholarship, Honours and HDR research students, as well as medical students.
Available Research Projects
Surviving Cardiac Arrest in Northern Adelaide
Project description: Our projects combine cardiology, emergency, intensive care, and SA Ambulance, with potential for broader collaboration with epidemiology, rehabilitation medicine, outcomes research and psychiatry. Projects aim to improve overall survival after cardiac arrest and include: (1) Cardiac interventions; (2) Gender disparities; (3) Physical, mental, and emotional outcomes; (4) End of life care. Small to medium projects can be adapted to suit the interests of summer research and honours students.
Projects available for: Undergraduate / Honours / HDR
Location: LMH
Research project start: Semester 1 and 2
Special requirements: Police clearance and vaccinations
Cardiovascular assessment after obstetric complications: follow-up for education and evaluation
Project description: This study encompasses clinical, lab-based, and qualitative projects with a strong emphasis on translatable research. Women who experience complications of pregnancy have an increased risk of developing future cardiovascular disease. The COFFEE program is the first Australian research-informed, clinical-based postpartum initiative for women who have had a pregnancy complication.
Projects available for: Undergraduate / Summer Scholarship / Honours / HDR
Location: LMH
Research project start: Semester 1 and 2
Special requirements: Police clearance and vaccinations
The effect of pregnancy complications and lifestyle on the health of mother and child
Project description: This clinical project focuses on following up women and children to measure cardiovascular and other risk factors. A range of sub-projects may be developed to focus on clinical and social influences of maternal and child health.
Projects available for: Undergraduate / Summer Scholarship / Honours / HDR
Location: LMH
Research project start: Semester 1 and 2
Special requirements: Police clearance and vaccinations
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2018 - ongoing Affiliate Associate Lecturer University of Adelaide 2011 - ongoing Grant Funded Scientist Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2016 - 2022 University of Adelaide Australia PhD 2011 - 2012 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) 2007 - 2010 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science -
Research Interests
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Journals
Year Citation 2024 Hofstee, P., Lum, J. S., Chow, Y. Y., Wittwer, M. R., Arstall, M., Dekker, G., . . . Ecroyd, H. (2024). Urine congophilia associated with preeclampsia does not persist 6-months postpartum. Placenta, 147, 52-58.
2024 Khoja, A., Andraweera, P. H., Lassi, Z. S., Padhani, Z. A., Ali, A., Zheng, M., . . . Arstall, M. A. (2024). Modifiable and Non-Modifiable Risk Factors for Premature Coronary Heart Disease (PCHD): Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Heart Lung and Circulation, 33(3), 265-280.
2023 Aldridge, E., Pathirana, M., Wittwer, M., Sierp, S., Roberts, C. T., Dekker, G. A., & Arstall, M. (2023). Women's awareness of cardiovascular disease risk after complications of pregnancy. Women and Birth, 36(3), e335-e340.
Scopus1 Europe PMC12023 Andraweera, P. H., Plummer, M. D., Garrett, A., Leemaqz, S., Wittwer, M. R., Aldridge, E., . . . Arstall, M. A. (2023). Early pregnancy cardio metabolic risk factors and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome 10 years after the first pregnancy. PLOS ONE, 18(1), 1-11.
Scopus12023 Khoja, A., Andraweera, P. H., Lassi, Z. S., Ali, A., Zheng, M., Pathirana, M. M., . . . Arstall, M. A. (2023). Risk Factors for Premature Coronary Heart Disease in Women Compared to Men: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Women's Health, 32(9), 908-920.
Scopus3 WoS32023 Khoja, A., Andraweera, P. H., Lassi, Z. S., Ali, A., Zheng, M., Pathirana, M. M., . . . Arstall, M. A. (2023). Risk Factors for Early-Onset Versus Late-Onset Coronary Heart Disease (CHD): Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Heart Lung and Circulation, 32(11), 1277-1311.
Scopus3 Europe PMC12022 Wittwer, M. R., Zeitz, C., Beltrame, J. F., & Arstall, M. A. (2022). Aetiology of resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest treated at hospital. Resuscitation, 170, 178-183.
Scopus5 WoS3 Europe PMC32022 Aldridge, E., Pathirana, M., Wittwer, M., Sierp, S., Leemaqz, S. Y., Roberts, C. T., . . . Arstall, M. A. (2022). Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Women After Maternal Complications of Pregnancy: An Observational Cohort Analysis. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 9, 1-9.
Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC22022 Wittwer, M. R., Armstrong, T., Conway, J., RUKNUDDEEN, M. I., Zeitz, C., Beltrame, J. F., & Arstall, M. A. (2022). In-hospital mode of death after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.. Resuscitation plus, 10, 1-7.
Scopus9 WoS5 Europe PMC32022 Wittwer, M. R., Aldridge, E., Hein, C., Thorrowgood, M., Zeitz, C., Beltrame, J. F., & Arstall, M. A. (2022). Sex Differences in Incidence and Outcome of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Within a Local Health Network.. Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine, 9, 1-10.
Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC12022 Aldridge, E., Pathirana, M., Wittwer, M., Sierp, S., Leemaqz, S. Y., Roberts, C. T., . . . Arstall, M. A. (2022). Effectiveness of a nurse practitioner-led cardiovascular prevention clinic at reduction of metabolic syndrome following maternal complications of pregnancy: a preliminary analysis. Diabetology and Metabolic Syndrome, 14(1), 144.
Scopus2 Europe PMC12021 Tutarel, O., Ramlakhan, K. P., Baris, L., Subirana, M. T., Bouchardy, J., Nemes, A., . . . Gouton, M. (2021). Pregnancy outcomes in women after arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries: Results from ROPAC (Registry of Pregnancy and Cardiac Disease) of the European Society of Cardiology EURObservational Research Programme. Journal of the American Heart Association, 10(1), 1-11.
Scopus12 WoS8 Europe PMC42021 Wittwer, M. R., RUKNUDDEEN, M. I., Thorrowgood, M., Zeitz, C., Beltrame, J. F., & Arstall, M. A. (2021). Overcoming challenges of establishing a hospital-based out-of-hospital cardiac arrest registry: accuracy of case identification using administrative data and clinical registries.. Resuscitation plus, 6, 1-7.
Scopus12 WoS10 Europe PMC62021 Khoja, A., Andraweera, P. H., Lassi, Z. S., Zheng, M., Pathirana, M. M., Ali, A., . . . Arstall, M. A. (2021). Risk factors for premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) in adults: a systematic review protocol. F1000Research, 10, 1228.
Scopus7 Europe PMC42020 Jones, A. R., Tuckwell, C., Wright, I. M. R., Morrison, J. L., Kandasamy, Y., Wittwer, M. R., . . . Clifton, V. L. (2020). The impact of maternal asthma during pregnancy on offspring retinal microvascular structure and its relationship to placental growth factor production in utero. Microcirculation, 27(6), 1-10.
Scopus2 WoS22020 Wittwer, M. R., Zeitz, C., Beltrame, J. F., & Arstall, M. A. (2020). Providing a simple and consistent solution for the definition of in- vs. out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.. Resuscitation, 156, 51-52.
Scopus4 WoS4 Europe PMC12020 Plummer, M. D., Andraweera, P. H., Garrett, A., Leemaqz, S., Wittwer, M., Aldridge, E., . . . Roberts, C. T. (2020). Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and later cardiovascular disease risk in mothers and children. Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, 12(4), 1-6.
Scopus7 WoS6 Europe PMC62020 Wittwer, M. R., Zeitz, C., Wu, S., Mishra, K., Rajendran, S., Beltrame, J. F., & Arstall, M. A. (2020). Cardiologists appropriately exclude resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrests from emergency coronary angiography. Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open, 1(6), 1177-1184.
2019 Aldridge, E., Mollen, J., Verburg, P. E., Wittwer, M., Dekker, G., Roberts, C. T., & Arstall, M. A. (2019). Agreement of aneroid and oscillometric blood pressure devices used in pregnancy. Pregnancy Hypertension, 17, 43-48.
Scopus6 WoS5 Europe PMC32015 Wittwer, M., Rajendran, S., Kealley, J., & Arstall, M. (2015). A South Australian registry of biphasic cardioversions of atrial arrhythmias: efficacy and predictors of success. Heart Lung and Circulation, 24(4), 342-347.
Scopus9 WoS8 Europe PMC5 -
Conference Items
Year Citation 2018 Clifton, V. L., Jones, A., Morrison, J., Wright, I. M. R., Kandasamy, Y., Wittwer, M. R., & Arstall, M. A. (2018). Maternal Asthma during Pregnancy is Associated with Altered Retinal Microvascular Structure in Childhood.. Poster session presented at the meeting of REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES. San Diego, CA: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC. 2017 Wittwer, M., Wu, S., Beltrame, J. F., Zeitz, C., & Arstall, M. A. (2017). Cardiologists Accurately Predict Resuscitated Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients That Do Not Require Immediate Cardiac Catheterisation. Poster session presented at the meeting of CIRCULATION. Anaheim, CA: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2016 Wittwer, M., Chow, Y. Y., Dekker, G., Clifton, V., & Arstall, M. (2016). F5. Skin microvascular dysfunction in preeclampsia persists to the postpartum period. Poster session presented at the meeting of Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine. Informa UK Limited.
Scopus12016 Chow, Y., Wittwer, M., Dekker, G., Clifton., & Arstall, V. M. (2016). E2. Preeclampsia is associated with persistent arterial stiffness into the postpartum period despite recovery of the vasoconstrictive state. Poster session presented at the meeting of Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine. Informa UK Limited.
2016 Chow, Y., Wittwer, M., Dekker, G., Clifton., & Arstall, V. M. (2016). E2. Preeclampsia is associated with persistent arterial stiffness into the postpartum period despite recovery of the vasoconstrictive state. Poster session presented at the meeting of Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine. Informa UK Limited.
2015 Wittwer, M. R., & Arstall, M. A. (2015). Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests Surviving to Hospital Admission: 5-Year Single-Centre Experience. Poster session presented at the meeting of 10th International Spark of Life Conference. 2015 Chow, Y. Y., Wittwer, M. R., Dekker, G., Clifton, V., & Arstall, M. A. (2015). Skin microvascular reactivity in preeclampsia. Poster session presented at the meeting of Microcirculation. Leura, NSW: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
2015 Chow, Y. Y., Mahadavan, D., Dekker, G., Warren, N., Wittwer, M., Clifton, V., & Arstall, M. (2015). O118. Subsequent preeclampsia is associated with worse subclinical left ventricular dysfunction. Poster session presented at the meeting of Pregnancy Hypertension: An International Journal of Women's Cardiovascular Health. Elsevier BV.
2015 Wittwer, M. R., Chow, Y. Y., & Arstall, M. A. (2015). Women admitted to hospital after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest have fewer culprit ‘ACS’ lesions on the coronary angiogram. Poster session presented at the meeting of Heart, Lung and Circulation. Melbourne Convention Centre: Elsevier.
2015 Abstracts from the 10th World Congress for Microcirculation (2015). Poster session presented at the meeting of Microcirculation. Wiley.
2012 Wittwer, M. R., Kealley, J., & Arstall, M. A. (2012). Biphasic Cardioversions of Atrial Tachyarrhythmias: The Role of High-Energy Defibrillators in a Local Hospital Setting. Poster session presented at the meeting of Heart, Lung and Circulation. Brisbane Convention Centre: Elsevier Inc..
Current teaching contributions:
BHMS Year 3 Research Placement Course (Hlth Sci)
Research and Critical Appraisal, MBBS year 3 (Med Stud 3014A and B)
Health Sciences Honours Research (AMS)
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Other Supervision Activities
Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name 2023 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Cardiac and vascular function 5-10 years after preeclampsia The Lyell McEwin Hospital - Honours Full Time Holly Merritt 2022 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Validation of an oscillometric blood pressure monitor in pregnant women according to ISO 81060-2 The University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Asia Mohebi
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Memberships
Date Role Membership Country 2024 - ongoing Member ANZICS Australia 2022 - ongoing Member SA Women’s Health Research Translation Network Australia 2016 - ongoing Member South Australian Cardiovascular Health Research Network Australia 2012 - ongoing Member Cardiac Society of Australia & New Zealand Australia
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