Professor John Fletcher (Group Head)

Research Interests
Publications
Contact Details

Professor John Fletcher has been at Westmead Hospital since it opened in 1978 when he was appointed Senior Lecturer in Surgery. He is now Professor of Surgery and Head of the University of Sydney Department of Surgery. He is Western Sydney Area Director of Vascular Surgery, Director of the Westmead Vascular Biology Research Centre and Director of the Westmead Vascular Laboratory (for non-invasive assessment of patients with vascular disease).

He was the first Australian and New Zealand Vice-President of the International Union of Angiology (IUA) in 1998-2000 and is an Adviser to the Executive Board. He served on the Executive Committee of the Surgical Research Society of Australasia from 1991-1996 and was President 1997-1998. He is a member of Editorial Boards of the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Acta Phlebologica and Annals of Vascular Diseases. He is a member of the Court of Examiners in Vascular Surgery of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and is Chairman of the Australian and New Zealand Thrombosis Working Party on Prevention and Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism.

He has written extensively on vascular topics. Major clinical interests are the endovascular management of aortic aneurysm, the non-invasive investigation of vascular disease and the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism. Basic research interests are the cellular mechanisms in atherosclerotic plaque formation, inhibition of intimal hyperplasia following vascular interventions and prevention of prosthetic vascular graft infection.

Research Interests

Vascular disease – aetiology, investigation and management.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – prevention and management .

Publications

- 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 -

2008

Dahl OE, Borris LC, Bergqvist D, Schnack Rasmussen M, Eriksson BI, Kakkar AK, Colwell CW, Caprini JA, Fletcher J, Friedman RJ, Lassen MR, Frostick SP, Sakon M, Kwong LM, Kakkar VV. Major joint replacement - a model for antithrombotic drug development: from proof-of-concept to clinical use. Int Angiol. 2008;27:60-67. [Abstract]
Medbury HJ, Guiffre AK, Williams MWY, Lam TH, Tarran SL, Vicaretti M and Fletcher JP. Monocytes contribute to the atherosclerotic cap by transformation into fibrocytes. Int Angiol 2008;27:114-123. [Abstract]

Presentations

Fletcher JP, Guiffre AK, Williams MWY, Vicaretti M, Medbury HJ. Is it possible to modify atherosclerotic plaque stability; can bone marrow derived cells stabilise the fibrous cap of atherosclerotic plaque? Vascular 2008; 16 (Suppl 2):S101.
Fletcher JP. Vascular Training in Australia. Vascular 2008; 16 (Suppl 2):S115.
Fletcher JP. Long-term (13yrs) follow up on Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: is it a durable intervention? Vascular 2008; 16 (Suppl 2):S140-141.

2007

Fletcher J, Baker R, MacLellan D, Chong B, Fisher C, Flanagan D, Gallus A, Gibbs H, Matthews G, Salem H, Stacey M and van Rij A. Prevention of venous thromboembolism: best practice guidelines for Australia and New Zealand, 4th Edition (2007), Health Education and Management International (Sydney), ISBN 978 0 9578909 6 1.
Wright B, Vicaretti M, Schwaiger N, Wu J, Trickett R, Morrissey L, Rohanizadeh R, Fletcher J, Maitz P, Harris M. Laser-assisted end-to-end BioWeld anastomosis in an ovine model. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 2007; 667-73. [Abstract]
Fletcher JP. The surgical workload already within the hospital. ANZ J Surg 2007; 77:312.
MacLellan DG and Fletcher JP. Mechanical compression in the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism. ANZ J Surgery 2007; 77: 418-423. [Abstract]
Lu Y, Ma B, Guo R, Wang Y, Zhang J, Wu Y, Pang G, Xin J, Ye W, Zou Y, Wang X, Hitos K, Curtin P and Fletcher J. Deep vein thrombosis in trauma: a prospective study of lower limb orthopaedic trauma patients in Tianjin Hospital, China. Int Angiol. 2007; 26:165-170. [Abstract]
Hitos K, Cannon M, Cannon S, Garth S and Fletcher JP. Effect of leg exercises on popliteal venous blood flow during prolonged immobility of seated subjects: implications for prevention of travel related deep vein thrombosis. J Thromb Haemost 2007; 5:1890-1895. [Abstract]

2006

Hitos, K, Fletcher, J. Venous thromboembolism following primary total knee arthroplasty. International angiology : a journal of the International Union of Angiology. 2006; 25:343-51 [Abstract]
Varcoe, R, Mikhail, M, Guiffre, A, Pennings, G, Vicaretti, M, Hawthorne , W, Fletcher, J, Medbury, H. The role of the fibrocyte in intimal hyperplasia. Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH. 2006; 4:1125-33 [Abstract]
Varatharajan, N, Pillay, S, Hitos, K, Fletcher, J. Implications of low great toe pressures in clinical practice. ANZ journal of surgery. 2006; 76:218-21 [Abstract]
Fletcher J, Baker R, MacLellan D, Chong B, Fisher C, Gallus A, Gibbs H, Hannan T, Matthews G, Salam H, Stacey M, Gatt S, van Rij A and Flanagan D. Prevention of venous thromboembolism: best practice guidelines for Australia and New Zealand. Health Education and Management International (ISBN 0 9578909 15), Sydney 2006.

2005

Hitos, K, Fletcher, J. Venous thromboembolism and fractured neck of femur. Thrombosis and haemostasis. 2005; 94:991-6 [Abstract]
Cheung, N, Napier, B, Zaccaria, C, Fletcher, J. Hyperglycemia is associated with adverse outcomes in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition. Diabetes care. 2005; 28:2367-71 [Abstract]
Fletcher JP. Intermittent claudication: an opportunity for secondary prevention. Modern Medicine of South Africa 2005; May: 20-24.

2004

Fletcher, J. Intermittent claudication: an opportunity for secondary prevention. Medicine Today. 2004; 5:36 -44
Fletcher, J, Vicaretti, M. Graft infection. In: The mechanisms of vascular disease: a textbook for vascular surgeons. London : Greenwich Medical Media 2004. p. 300.
Fletcher, J, MacLellan, D, Fisher, C, Gibbs, H, Matthews, G, Stacey, M, van Rij, A. Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism: best practice guidelines for Australia and New Zealand . Sydney : Health Education Management International (HEMI), 2004.
Fletcher, J, Baker, R, MacLellan, D, Chong, B, Fisher, C, Gallus, A, Gibbs, H, Hannan, T, Matthews, G, Salem, H, Stacey, M, van Rij, A. Diagnosis and treatment of venous thromboembolism: best practice guidelines for Australia and New Zealand. Sydney : Health Education Management International (HEMI), 2004.
Eftekhar K, Young N, Fletcher J, Bester L, Wong L and Puttaswamy V. Clinical efficacy of metal stents for the treatment of focal abdominal aortic stenosis. Australasian Radiology 2004; 48:17-20.
Fletcher JP, Ao PY and Hawthorne WJ. Antiproliferative effects of low molecular weight heparin. ANZ J Surg 2004; 74:793-796.
Hitos K, Dexter M, Kam A, Dandie G, Cree A, Butler G, Saker K and Fletcher J. Venous thromboembolism and spinal surgery. In: Reports from the 18 th International Congress on Thrombosis, eds M Stegnar, M Bozic, M Kozak and P Peternel, Medimond International Proceedings, Bologna, Italy, 2004, 7-10.

2003

Robinson, B, Fletcher, J. Fluoropolymer coated dacron or polytetrafluoroethylene for femoropopliteal bypass grafting: a multicentre trial. ANZ Journal of Surgery. 2003; 73:95-99.
Chao, A, Fletcher, J. Vascular injuries. In: Trauma. Oxford : Oxford University Press 2003. p. 258-271.

2002

Tso, C, Hawthorne, W, Fletcher, J, Skinner, M. Matrigel-coated stents reduce intimal thickening in a large animal vascular stent Model. International Angiology. 2002; 21(3):244-249.
Hawthorne WJ, Ao PY, Vicaretti M and Fletcher JP. New methodology for assessment of intimal hyperplasia of vascular prostheses. ANZ Journal of Surgery. 2002; 72(9):623-627.
Huang, P, Py, A, Angeli, G, Medbury, H, Hawthorne, W, Fletcher, J. Perigraft adventitia and intima remodeling after synthetic patch implantation in sheep carotid artery: Role of apoptosis and proliferation. Journal of Vascular Surgery. 2002; 36(2):371-378.
Hawthorne WJ, Ao PY and Fletcher JP. Vascular closure staples reduce intimal hyperplasia in prosthesis implantation. ANZ Journal of Surgery. 2002; 72(12):862-866.
Fletcher JP. Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis : applying evidence-based guidelines. ANZ J Surg 2002; 72:320.
Pennings G, Fletcher J and Medbury H. Leukocyte and platelet activation by prosthetic vascular grafts. In: Reports from the 17 th International Congress on Thrombosis, eds S Coccheri , G Gensini, G Palareti and D Prisco, Monduzzi Editore, Bologna , Italy , 2002, 245-251.

2001

Huang, P, Hawthorne, W, Ao, P, Angeli, G, Medbury, H, Fletcher, J. CALCIUM CHANNEL ANTAGONIST VERAPAMIL INHIBITS NEOINITIMAL FORMATION AND ENHANCES APOPTOSIS IN A VASCULAR GRAFT MODEL. American Journal of Surgery. 2001; 536:35-47.
Bobryshev, Y, Inder, S, Cherian, S, Lord, R, Ao, P, Hawthorne , W, Fletcher, J. COLONISATION OF PROSTHETIC GRAFTS BY IMMUNOCOMPETENT CELLS IN A SHEEP MODEL. Cardiovascular Surgery. 2001; 1 (12):1481-1488.
Swinnen, J, Fletcher, J, Wong, K, Young, N, Simmons, K. EVT endovascular graft for adominarl aortic aneurysm. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery. 2001; 357:739-745.
Fletcher J, MacLellan D, Fisher C, Gibbs H, Matthews G, Stacey M and van Rij A. Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism: Best Practice Guidelines for Australia and New Zealand, 2 nd Edition. Health Education and Management International, Sydney 2001.
Dona E, Fletcher JP, Hughes TMD, Saker K and Batiste P. Duplication of the femoropopliteal vein. Phlebology Digest 2001; 14:22.
Nicolaides AN, Breddin HK, Fareed J et al (Ackchurin, R, Allegra, C, Arcelus, J, Balas, P, Becker, F, Belcaro, G, Bergan, J, Bergqvist, D, Berkowits, S, Boccalon, H, Boisseau, M, Bollinger, A, Borris, C, Bonnar, J, Breddin, H, Cairols, M, Caprini, J, Catalano, M, Christopoulos, D, Clarke-Pearson, C, Clement, D, Coleridge-Smith, P, Colditz, G, Comerota, A, Dakalopoulou, S, Duprez, D, Eikelboom, B, Eklof, B, Fagrell, B, Fareed, J, Montequin, F, Fernandes, N, Fisher, C, Fletcher, J, Freeman, M, Goldhaber, S, Greenfield, L, Gregg, P). Prevention of venous thromboembolism. International consensus statement. Guidelines compiled in accordance with the scientific evidence. Int Angiol 2001; 20:1-37.

2000

Fletcher, J, Saker, K, Batiste, P, Dyer, S. Colour Doppler diagnosis of perigraft flow following endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. International Angiology. 2000; 19(4):326-330.
Ao, P, Hawthorne , W, Vicaretti, M, Fletcher, J. Development of Intimal Hyperplasia in six different Vascular Prostheses. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. 2000; 20:241-249.
Dona, E, Fletcher, J, Hughes, T, Saker, K, Batiste, P, Ramanathan, I. Duplicated popliteal and superficial femoral veins:incidence and potential significance. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery. 2000; 70:438-440 .
Nankivell, B, Lau, S, Chapman, J, O'Connell, P, Fletcher, J, Allen, R. Progression of macrovascular disease after transplantation. Transplantation. 2000; 69:574-581.
Ao, P, Hawthorne , W, Vicaretti, M, Fletcher, J. Verapamil reduces intimal hyperplasia in a sheep carotid artery patch graft model. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery. 2000; 70(1):64-67.

Contact Details

T +61 2 9687 8855

F +61 2 9687 9595

E johnf@med.usyd.edu.au