Mrs Melanie Wittwer
School of Medicine
College of Health
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
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 - ongoing | Affiliate Associate Lecturer | University of Adelaide |
| 2011 - ongoing | Grant Funded Scientist | Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) |
| 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 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Pathirana, M. M., Aldridge, E., Andraweera, P. H., Lowe, K., Wittwer, M., Sierp, S., . . . Arstall, M. A. (2025). Knowledge on breastfeeding and improving cardiometabolic disease following a major complication of pregnancy: A qualitative analysis. Women S Health, 21, 12 pages. |
| 2025 | Mohebi, A., Pathirana, M. M., Khoja, A., Wittwer, M. R., Lowe, K., Fisher, D., . . . Andraweera, P. H. (2025). Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. Endocrine, 88(2), 398-409. Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC1 |
| 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. Scopus8 WoS6 Europe PMC6 |
| 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. Scopus7 WoS6 Europe PMC7 |
| 2023 | 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. Scopus4 WoS4 Europe PMC3 |
| 2023 | 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. Scopus9 WoS7 Europe PMC4 |
| 2023 | 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. Scopus13 WoS10 Europe PMC7 |
| 2022 | 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. Scopus13 WoS13 Europe PMC12 |
| 2022 | 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. Scopus10 WoS8 Europe PMC8 |
| 2022 | 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. Scopus16 WoS16 Europe PMC12 |
| 2022 | 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. Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC4 |
| 2022 | 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. Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC2 |
| 2021 | Ramlakhan, K. P., Johnson, M. R., Lelonek, M., Saad, A., Gasimov, Z., Sharashkina, N. V., . . . Abd-El Aziz, M. G. (2021). Congenital heart disease in the ESC EORP Registry of Pregnancy and Cardiac disease (ROPAC). International Journal of Cardiology Congenital Heart Disease, 3, 100107. Scopus14 |
| 2021 | 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. Scopus18 WoS13 Europe PMC10 |
| 2021 | 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. Scopus14 WoS13 Europe PMC12 |
| 2021 | 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. Scopus18 Europe PMC20 |
| 2021 | Szczotkowski, D., Neik, C., Polak, U., Wittwer, M., & Kohlmann, T. (2021). Evaluation of medical insurance consultant reports within the German Statutory Accident Insurance-Methodology and results of a peer review procedure. UNFALLCHIRURG, 124(1), 48-58. WoS1 |
| 2020 | 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. Scopus3 WoS3 |
| 2020 | 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. Scopus7 WoS8 Europe PMC7 |
| 2020 | 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. Scopus16 WoS15 Europe PMC15 |
| 2020 | 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. Europe PMC1 |
| 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. Scopus7 WoS6 Europe PMC4 |
| 2018 | Polak, U., Wittwer, M., Szczotkowski, D., & Kohlmann, T. (2018). Evaluation of reports from accident insurance consultants by a peer-review procedure. TRAUMA UND BERUFSKRANKHEIT, 20(S4), 237-240. WoS2 |
| 2015 | 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. Scopus11 WoS10 Europe PMC8 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Trampuz, A., Steinhuber, A., Wittwer, M., & Leib, S. L. (2007). Rapid diagnosis of experimental meningitis by measuring bacterial heat flow in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In SWISS MEDICAL WEEKLY Vol. 137 (pp. 50S). E M H SWISS MEDICAL PUBLISHERS LTD. WoS1 |
| 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. DOI Scopus1 |
| 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. DOI |
| 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. DOI |
| 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. DOI |
| 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. DOI |
| 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. DOI |
| 2015 | Abstracts from the 10th World Congress for Microcirculation (2015). Poster session presented at the meeting of Microcirculation. Wiley. DOI |
| 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.. DOI |
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)
| 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 |
| 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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