Students

Name: Shara Lee Wee-Yee

Post: Full-time Ph.D (4 years)

Enrolled: 2004 - 2008

Origin: Hong Kong

First Degree: :BSc(Hons) Radiography (Specialism in Radiotherapy) 2004 (1^st Honour), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Supervisor: Prof. Kim S Khaw

Title of Thesis:

Obstetric anaesthesia - Aortocaval compression in term pregnancy and the interaction with regional anaesthesia

Outline of the Thesis:

Aortocaval compression (ACC) in parturients occur when pregnant women lie in the supine position with the gravid uterus compressing the aorta and the inferior vena cava (IVC). This interferes with the venous return to the heart to reduce the cardiac output, and results in maternal hypotension, uterine hypo-perfusion and fetal acidosis. Under regional anaesthesia when the compensatory mechanisms via the sympathetic nervous outflow are blocked, the effects from ACC are exaggerated and may result in maternal cardiovascular collapse.

My research objective lies in understanding and developing new techniques for detection of ACC in parturients. I use diagnostic ultrasound to directly image the patency of the maternal vessels, and noninvasive haemodynamic monitors to investigate maternal and fetal responses to lateral tilts. I have also developed an easier bedside method for detecting ACC in parturients. The findings of my research will enhance our understanding of ACC during pregnancy, and improve the safety of obstetric anaesthesia.

Current Employment:

Assistant Professor, Department of Health Technology & Informatics, Faculty of Health & Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Anaesthesia & Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Publications arising from her research work:

(A) Scientific Papers:

1. Lee SWY, Khaw KS, Ngan Kee WD, Leung TY, Critchley LAH. Haemodynamic effects from aortocaval compression at different angles of lateral tilt in non-labouring term pregnant women. Br J Anaesth 2012; 109: 950-6. (This paper is accompanied with an editorial)
   
   
2. Lee SWY, Khaw KS, Ngan Kee WD, Leung TY. Monitoring a wider range of haemodynamic variables will be useful for management of hypotension in obstetric spinal anaesthesia. Letter Br J Anaesth 2009; 103: 457-8.
   
   
3. Lee SWY, Khaw KS, Ngan Kee WD, Leung TY, Ho SSY, Ying MTC, Critchley LAH. A new bedside technique for detecting inferior vena cava compression in term parturients. Anaesth Int Care 2007; 35: 638.
   
   
4. Khaw KS, Ngan Kee WD, Lee S. Hypotension during spinal anaesthesia for Caesarean section: Implications, detection, prevention and treatment. Fetal and Maternal Medicine 2006; 17:2, 1-27.

(B) Conference Abstracts:

1. Lee S, Khaw KS, Ngan Kee WD, Ng B, Ng F, Critchley LAH. Haemodynamic monitoring during elective Caesarean section: the good, the bad and the ugly. The Combined Scientific Meeting in Anaesthesiology 2005, HKCEC 27th-28th August 2005.
   
   
2. Khaw KS, Lee S, Ngan Kee WD, Ng F. Can Finometer provide rapid detection of hypotension during spinal anaesthesia for elective Caesarean section? The Australian Society of Anaesthetists - 64th National Scientific Congress 2005, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre 24th – 27th September 2005.
   
   
3. Lee S, Khaw KS, Ngan Kee WD, Ying TC, Ho SY. A new method for detecting inferior vena cava compression in term parturients. The Combined Scientific Meeting in Anaesthesiology 2006, HKCEC 18th-19th November 2006.
   
   
4. Lee S, Khaw KS, Ngan Kee WD, Leung TY, Ho SY, Ying TC, Critchley LAH. Application of venous phasicity test for detecting inferior vena cava compression in term parturients. The 3rd International Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, HKCEC 25th-28th February 2007.
   
   
5. Lee S, Khaw KS, Ngan Kee WD, Leung TY, Ho SY, Ying TC, Critchley LAH. A new bedside technique for detecting Inferior Vena Cava Compression in Term Parturients. The Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) 2007, Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre 26th-29th May 2007.
   
   
6. Lee S, Khaw KS, Leung TY, Ngan Kee WD.Aortocaval compression at term pregnancy Continuing Medical Eduation (CME) Meeting of the Dept of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. 18th September 2008. (As invited speaker)
   
   
7. Lee S, Khaw KS, Leung TY, Ngan Kee WD.Validation of a newly developed bedside technique for detecting aortocaval compression using ultrasound The 4th Asia Pacific Congress in Maternal Fetal Medicine, Macau Convention and Exhibition Centre 17th-19th October 2008. (Oral Presentation)