Associate Professor Anna Ranta, Head of Department of Medicine, Our people, Centre for Translational Physiology, University of Otago, New Zealand

Profile_Anna_Ranta MD, PhD, FRACP

Positions

Head of Department, Medicine
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington
Consultant Neurologist, CCDHB
National Clinical Leaders, Stroke (Ministry of Health)
Stroke Lead, CCDHB
Stroke Lead, Central Region

Contact details

Department of Medicine
University of Otago Wellington
PO Box 7343
Wellington 6242
New Zealand

Tel +64 4 806 1031
Email anna.ranta@otago.ac.nz

Research Expertise and Interest

Stroke (TIA, reperfusion, telestroke, to a lesser degree stroke rehabilitation)
Use of Registries and Health administrative data
Health Service Delivery Research
Health Economics
Neuroepidemiology and workforce

Associate Professor Ranta is interested in supervising postgraduate students in any of the research areas listed above. You can contact her directly.

Current Projects

Associate Professor Ranta is the PI of the ongoing REGIONS Care Study. This is a nationwide HRC funded project (HRC 17/037 -$1.2 million)) that incorporates a stroke audit of NZ stroke services (acute and rehabilitation) and extended 1-year follow-up and data linkage with administrative data and focus groups to explore ethnic and geographic inequities in stroke care access and outcomes. The results of this project will advise future NZ stroke strategy to achieve the best outcomes for people with stroke.

She is also the co-PI for the B-SAFE Clinical Trial. This is a nationwide HRC funded project (HRC 16/330) looking at the impact of electronic decision support and the use of cardiac biomarkers on appropriate anticoagulation and patient outcomes. This study is specifically looking at patients with atrial fibrillation managed in primary care.

She is a named investigator for the Take Charge after Stroke. This is a nationwide HRC funded project (HRC 15/297) looking at the impact of motivational interviewing following stroke on stroke outcomes. Role on project: Co-investigator

Other ongoing project topics include telestroke, secondary prevention following TIA, blood pressure optimisation following stroke, epidemiology of genetic muscle disorders, international collaboration in neuro and stroke epidemiology (GBD), and international stroke service provision (Lancet Commission for Stroke).

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Publications

Bath, P. M., Woodhouse, L. J., Appleton, J. P., Beridze, M., Christensen, H., Dineen, R. A., … Ranta, A., … Sprigg, N. (2018). Triple versus guideline antiplatelet therapy to prevent recurrence after acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack: The TARDIS RCT. Health Technology Assessment, 22(48), 1-76. doi: 10.3310/hta22480

GBD 2016 Headache Collaborators, including Ranta, A. (2018). Global, regional, and national burden of migraine and tension-type headache, 1990-2016: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. Lancet Neurology, 17(11), 954-976. doi: 10.1016/s1474-4422(18)30322-3

Jones, K. M., O'Grady, G., Rodrigues, M. J., Ranta, A., Roxburgh, R. H., Love, D. R., … on behalf of the MD-PREV study group. (2018). Impacts for children living with genetic muscle disorders and their parents: Findings from a population-based study. Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases, 5(3), 341-352. doi: 10.3233/jnd-170287

Jones, K. M., Bhattacharjee, R., Krishnamurthi, R., Blanton, S., Barker-Collo, S., Theadom, A., … Ranta, A., … Feigin, V. L. (2018). Determining the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a stroke instructional and educational DVD in a multinational context: A randomized controlled pilot study. Clinical Rehabilitation. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/0269215518777565

Ranta, A. (2018). Projected stroke volumes to provide a 10-year direction for New Zealand stroke services. New Zealand Medical Journal, 131(1477), 15-28. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Journal - Research Article
Journal - Research Other

Journal - Research Article

Ranta, A., Dovey, S., Gommans, J., Tilyard, M., & Weatherall, M. (2018). Impact of general practitioner transient ischemic attack training on 90-day stroke outcomes: Secondary analysis of a cluster randomized controlled trial. Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2018.02.064

Bath, P. M., Woodhouse, L. J., Appleton, J. P., Beridze, M., Christensen, H., Dineen, R. A., … Ranta, A., … for the TARDIS Investigators. (2018). Antiplatelet therapy with aspirin, clopidogrel, and dipyridamole versus clopidogrel alone or aspirin and dipyridamole in patients with acute cerebral ischaemia (TARDIS): A randomised, open-label, phase 3 superiority trial. Lancet, 391(10), 850-859. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32849-0

Langton Burnell, A., Ranta, A., Wu, T., Fink, J., McGuinness, B., Caldwell, J., Collecutt, W., … Barber, P. A. (2018). Endovascular clot retrieval for acute ischaemic stroke in New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 131(1484), 13-18. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Ranta, A., & Busch, S. (2018). Impact of discontinuation of telestroke: The Nelson experience. New Zealand Medical Journal, 131(1477), 29-34. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

GBD 2017 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators, including Crump, J. A., & Ranta, A. (2018). Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 354 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1990-2017: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet, 392(10159), 1789-1858. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)32279-7

GBD 2015 Neurological Disorders Collaborator Group, including Poulton, R. G., & Ranta, A. (2017). Global, regional, and national burden of neurological disorders during 1990-2015: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. Lancet Neurology, 16(11), 877-897. doi: 10.1016/s1474-4422(17)30299-5

Hammond, N., & Ranta, A. (2017). The yield of head computed tomography in patients with new onset of transient headaches. Internal Medicine Journal, 47(10), 1141-1146. doi: 10.1111/imj.13517

Bath, P. M. W., Appleton, J. P., Beridze, M., Christensen, H., Dineen, R. A., Duley, L., … Ranta, A., … Sprigg, N. (2017). Baseline characteristics of the 3096 patients recruited into the ‘Triple Antiplatelets for Reducing Dependency after Ischemic Stroke’ trial. International Journal of Stroke, 12(5), 524-538. doi: 10.1177/1747493016677988

Liu, Q., Ranta, A., Abernethy, G., & Barber, P. A. (2017). Trends in New Zealand stroke thrombolysis treatment rates. New Zealand Medical Journal, 130(1453), 50-56. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Bergin, P. S., Beghi, E., Sadleir, L. G., Brockington, A., Tripathi, M., Richardson, M. P., … Rosemergy, I., … on behalf of the EpiNet Study Group, including Ranta, A. (2017). EpiNet as a way of involving more physicians and patients in epilepsy research: Validation study and accreditation process. Epilepsia Open, 2(1), 20-31. doi: 10.1002/epi4.12033

Ranta, A., Weatherall, M., Gommans, J., Tilyard, M., Odea, D., & Dovey, S. (2017). Appropriateness of general practitioner imaging requests for transient ischaemic attack patients: Secondary analysis of a cluster randomised controlled trial. Journal of Primary Health Care, 9(2), 131-135. doi: 10.1071/HC17005

Liu, Q., Barber, P. A., Abernethy, G., & Ranta, A. (2017). Provision of stroke thrombolysis services in New Zealand: Changes between 2011 and 2016. New Zealand Medical Journal, 130(1453), 57-62. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Ranta, A., Lanford, J., Busch, S., Providence, C., Iniesta, I., Rosemergy, I., … Gommans, J. (2017). Impact and implementation of a sustainable regional telestroke network. Internal Medicine Journal, 47(11), 1270-1275. doi: 10.1111/imj.13557

Barber, P. A., Krishnamurthi, R., Parag, V., Anderson, N. E., Ranta, A., Kilfoyle, D., … for the ARCOS IV Study Group. (2016). Incidence of transient ischemic attack in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2011 to 2012. Stroke, 47(9), 2183-2188. doi: 10.1161/strokeaha.116.014010

McAulay-Powell, C., & Ranta, A. (2016). The Australian and New Zealand regional neurology training survey. Internal Medicine Journal, 46(6), 742-744. doi: 10.1111/imj.13103

Ranta, A., & Barber, P. A. (2016). Transient ischemic attack service provision: A review of available service models. Neurology, 86(10), 947-953. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000002339

Joshi, P., Fink, J., Barber, P. A., Davis, A., Lanford, J., Seymour, A., … Busby, W., … Ranta, A. (2016). Stroke thrombolysis in New Zealand: Data from the first 6 months of the New Zealand Thrombolysis Register. New Zealand Medical Journal, 129(1438), 42-47. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Sadleir, L. G., Paterson, S., Smith, K. R., Redshaw, N., Ranta, A., Kalnins, R., … Scheffer, I. E. (2015). Myoclonic Occipital Photosensitive Epilepsy with Dystonia (MOPED): A familial epilepsy syndrome. Epilepsy Research, 114, 98-105. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2015.04.014

Ranta, A., Tiwari, P., Mottershead, J., Abernethy, D., Simpson, M., Brickell, K., … Frith, R. (2015). New Zealand's neurologist workforce: A pragmatic analysis of demand, supply and future projections. New Zealand Medical Journal, 128(1419). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Ranta, A., Dovey, S., Weatherall, M., O'Dea, D., Gommans, J., & Tilyard, M. (2015). Cluster randomised controlled trial of TIA electronic decision support in primary care. Neurology, 84(15), 1545-1551. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000001472

The TARDIS Trial Investigators, including Ranta, A. (2015). Safety and effficacy of intensive vs. guideline antiplatelet therapy in high-risk patients with recent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack: Rationale and design of the Triple Antiplatelets for Reducing Dependency after Ischaemic Stroke (TARDIS) trial (ISRCTN47823388). International Journal of Stroke, 10(7), 1159-1165. doi: 10.1111/ijs.12538

Lavin, T. L., & Ranta, A. (2014). Transient Ischameic Attack/Stroke Electronic Decision Support: A 14-month safety audit. Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases, 23(2), 267-270. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2013.02.022

Ranta, A., Yang, C.-F., Funnell, M., Cariga, P., Murphy-Rahal, C., & Cogger, N. (2014). Utility of a primary care based transient ischaemic attack electronic decision support tool: A prospective sequential comparison. BMC Family Practice, 15, 86. doi: 10.1186/1471-2296-15-86

Brownlee, W., Ranta, A., Dale-Gandar, J., Bennett, P., Gommans, J., Fink, J., & Barber, P. A. (2014). Changes in the provision of transient ischaemic attack services in New Zealand 2008 to 2013. New Zealand Medical Journal, 127(1390). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Ranta, A. (2013). Transient ischaemic attack and stroke risk: Pilot of a primary care electronic decision support tool. Journal of Primary Health Care, 5(2), 138-140.

Ranta, A., & Cariga, P. (2013). Who should manage transient ischemic attacks? A comparison between stroke experts, generalists, and electronic decision support. New Zealand Medical Journal, 126(1372). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Ranta, A., Chan, C., Rump, D., & Cariga, P. (2012). Safety and efficacy of stroke thrombolysis at a secondary provincial hospital in New Zealand. New Zealand Medical Journal, 125(1358). Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Ranta, A. (2012). Stroke thrombolysis in New Zealand: A national audit. International Journal of Stroke, 7(Suppl. s1), 35. doi: 10.1111/j.1747-4930.2012.00907.x

Cariga, P., Huang, W. H. C., & Ranta, A. (2011). Safety and efficiency of non-contact first specialist assessment in neurology. New Zealand Medical Journal, 124(1347). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/124-1347/4989/content.pdf

Ranta, A., Naik, D., Cariga, P., Matthews, T., McGonigal, G., Thomson, T., … Mossman, S., … Evans, R., Abernethy, D., Lee, Y., … Haas, L. (2010). Carotid endarterectomy: A Southern North Island regional consensus statement. New Zealand Medical Journal, 123(1323). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/123-1323/4360/content.pdf

Bergin, P. S., Ip, T., Sheehan, R., Frith, R. W., Sadleir, L. G., McGrath, N., Ranta, A., & Walker, E. B. (2010). Using the Internet to recruit patients for epilepsy trials: Results of a New Zealand pilot study. Epilepsia, 51(5), 868-873. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2009.02393.x

Wittmann, D. H., & Wittmann, A. (1998). Scope and limitations of antimicrobial therapy of sepsis in surgery. Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery, 383(1), 15-25. doi: 10.1007/s004230050087

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Journal - Research Other

Krishnamurthi, R., Hale, L., Barker-Collo, S., Theadom, A., Bhattacharjee, R., George, A., … Ranta, A., Waters, D., … Feigin, V. (2018). Mobile technology for primary stroke prevention: A proof-of-concept pilot randomized controlled trial [Brief report]. Stroke. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.118.023058

Tse, D. M., Young, L., Ranta, A., & Barber, P. A. (2018). Intravenous alteplase and endovascular clot retrieval following reversal of dabigatran with idarucizumab. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 89(5), 549-550. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2017-316449

Buenz, E. J., Parry, G. J., & Ranta, A. (2017). Plasma exchange as a cost-effective option for treating Guillain-Barré syndrome. Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders, 10(1), 76-77. doi: 10.1177/1756285616659978

Iniesta, I., Lamballe, A., Rodríguez, M., Duignan, J., Zaman, S., Watson, I., … Ranta, A. (2017). Radiological findings of a symptomatic carotid pseudocclusion: «Guadiana river sign». Neurología, 32(5), 334-337. doi: 10.1016/j.nrl.2015.09.003

Mitchell, J., Baguley, K., Balm, M., & Ranta, A. (2016). Cranial polyneuropathy caused by varicella zoster reactivation. New Zealand Medical Journal, 129(1438), 64-65. Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Ranta, A., Whitehead, M., Gunawardana, C., Cariga, P., Iniesta, I., Watson, I., & Reoch, A. (2016). International telestroke: The first five cases. Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases, 25(4), e44-e45. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2015.12.028

Ranta, A. (2016). Looking for the "perfect" TIA risk score. Neurology, 87(9), 856-857. doi: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000003052

Ranta, A., & Alderazi, Y. J. (2016). The importance of specialized stroke care for patients with TIA. Neurology, 86(22), 2030-2031. doi: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000002727

Jones, K. M., Bhattacharjee, R., Krishnamurthi, R., Blanton, S., Theadom, A., Barker-Collo, S., … Ranta, A., … on behalf of the SMART Study Group. (2015). Methodology of the Stroke Self-Management Rehabilitation Trial: An international, multisite pilot trial. Journal of Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases, 24(2), 297-303. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2014.08.029

Ranta, A., & Lichtman, J. H. (2015). Health economics of cerebrovascular disease: Can we do better? Neurology, 84(22), 2204-2205. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000001651

Funnell, M., & Ranta, A. (2012). Vagal nerve stimulation in New Zealand: Improvement of seizure control following the implantation of a vagal nerve stimulator. New Zealand Medical Journal, 125(1361). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Ranta, A., Dovey, S., Weatherall, M., & O'Dea, D. (2012). Efficacy and safety of a TIA/stroke electronic support tool (FASTEST) trial: Study protocol. Implementation Science, 7, 107. doi: 10.1186/1748-5908-7-107

Schmiedeskamp, M., Cariga, P., & Ranta, A. (2010). Anti-NMDA-receptor autoimmune encephalitis without neoplasm: A rare condition? [Case report]. New Zealand Medical Journal, 123(1322). Retrieved from http://journal.nzma.org.nz/journal/123-1322/4335/content.pdf

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