Dr Rosanna Tavella

Dr Tavella is a Senior Lecturer in Adelaide Medical School and researcher within the Translational Vascular Function Research Collaborative (TVFRC) at the Basil Hetzel Institute (BHI), The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The TVFRC is focused on translational research so scientific research findings have clinical impact and can be applied to patients as quickly as possible. This approach combines two different types of research:
• Integrated laboratory and clinical research or ‘bench to beside’ research which includes discoveries generated in the laboratory and then developed in clinical trials.
• Exploring innovative ways of applying evidence-based medicine, recommendations or guidelines to clinical practice.

Following from her PhD thesis on health outcomes in patients undergoing coronary angiography (with a particular focus on patients with normal angiography), Dr Tavella continues to undertake research studies on improving health outcomes, clinical awareness and management of patients who suffer from coronary vasomotor disorders such as:
• Coronary slow flow phenomenon
• Microvascular Angina
• MINOCA (Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructed Coronary Arteries)

In her role as Clinical Data Manger for the Department of Cardiology, Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Dr Tavella has established the Coronary Angiogram Database of South Australia (CADOSA) Program, which encompasses a clinical registry of patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation procedures in SA hospitals, patient reported outcomes follow-up and a biobank (storing DNA, RNA, plasma and serum samples). This work supports the evaluation and improvement of CVD healthcare in South Australia, including:
• Implementing quality improvement initiatives and clinical workflows to improve adherence to clinical guidelines
• Monitoring safety outcomes (i.e. in-hospital mortality)
• Working towards value-based health care whereby improvement in patient health outcomes is the focus of healthcare delivery as opposed to a fee-for-service model
• Precision medicine – moving away from a 'one size fits all' approach to the treatment and care of patients, to one which uses innovative approaches to better manage patients' health, with a strong focus on using predictive analytics to support clinical decisions at the point of care