Benefit Of 2D-strain Surveillance In Improving Cardiovascular Outcomes In Cancer Patients Undergoing Cardiotoxic Chemotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,391,979.00
Summary
Cancer survivors are susceptible to heart failure (HF) caused by heart muscle damage from chemotherapy. The current testing for this problem is based on a measure that cannot identify minor changes of cardiac function. Cardiac strain is a sensitive new marker of cardiac function which is predictive of overt dysfunction & HF. This study seeks to identify whether strain can be used to assign treatments that lead to improved cardiac function and are eventually associated with a reduction in HF.
Formyl Peptide Receptor Biased Agonists As Novel Cardioprotection From Myocardial Infarction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$948,291.00
Summary
Heart attack is caused by a blocked heart blood vessel. Current therapy focuses on rapid reopening of the vessel, to allow blood supply to return. However, even if this is successful, affected patients are often left with impaired heart muscle pumping function, ultimately progressing to heart failure. We have discovered an exciting new mechanism to protect heart muscle from injury and preserve its function, and we plan to develop new drugs for heart attack based on this mechanism.
Screening Evaluation Of The Evolution Of New Heart Failure Extension Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$849,992.00
Summary
Heart failure is a major burden on patients with this condition and on the community. The SCReening Evaluation of the Evolution of New Heart Failure (SCREEN-HF) study is evaluating the use of a blood test to identify individuals with undiagnosed heart failure and abnormal heart function, and those at increased risk of these conditions, so that more people can benefit from currently available therapies for the treatment and prevention of heart failure.
Developing Lung Function Reference Ranges In Aboriginal Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$875,382.00
Summary
Lung function in Aboriginal Australians may be up to 30% lower than that of the Caucasian population. Comparing a patient’s lung function result to normal is critical to help diagnose and manage lung diseases. There are no lung function normal ranges for Aboriginal Australians. Our study will measure lung function in healthy Aboriginal children and adults and develop Aboriginal specific reference values and thus help ensure the highest level of clinical care for Aboriginal patients.
The Role Chromatin Remodeling Factors In Epigenetic Regulation Of Cardiac Arrhythmia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$854,135.00
Summary
Cardiovascular diseases kill an Australian every 11 minutes. Arrhythmias are of particular alarm since they can lead to significantly higher risk of serious strokes, heart failure, and overall mortality. We combine fruit fly genetics with next generation human genomics approaches to find and functionally validate new genes and mutations regulating arrhythmia in fruit flies and atrial fibrillation in humans, and this work can rapidly identify new avenues to pursue therapeutic intervention
Local Cardiac Sex Steroids - New Therapeutic Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$646,994.00
Summary
The sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone, are implicated in susceptibility to heart diseases - the timing and type of disease development is different for women and men. The mechanisms for this are unknown. In this project we investigate the synthesis and breakdown of these hormones in the heart and determine how local hormone levels may affect heart muscle cell survival and function. The aim is to find ways of adjusting hormone balance to optimize protection when the heart is under stress.
Molecular Imaging And Therapy Of Cardiac Fibrosis In Atrial Fibrillation And Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,021,656.00
Summary
Cardiac fibrosis is a serious medical condition which can lead to an irregular heart beat and heart failure. We will develop novel diagnostic agents which are more sensitive and able to detect fibrosis of the heart at an earlier time point. This would allow timely initiation of therapy. In addition, we will investigate novel targeted anti-fibrotic agents to treat this devastating disease condition more effectively and with less adverse effects.
Kidney Function And The Effectiveness And Safety Of Direct Oral Anticoagulants In Atrial Fibrillation: The KODIAK-AF Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,730.00
Summary
The direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are a relatively new type of drug that are used to prevent the onset of stroke among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). While these drugs have been demonstrated to be safe and effective among AF patients, in those AF patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), there is uncertainty as to whether these drugs are similarly safe. This program of research will study the safety profile of DOACs in patients with AF and CKD.
Quantifying The Burden Of Atrial Fibrillation: Impact Of Existing And New Treatments And The Potential For Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$398,395.00
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) causes considerable morbidity and burden to the Australian economy. We will quantify the prevalent burden and costs of hospitalised AF, ascertain the risk of major events associated with AF and the impact of existing treatments, and determine the population-attributable risk for AF due to emerging risk factors. Our data will inform clinicians and health policy makers regarding the most effective allocation of expensive health care resources to minimise the burden of AF.
Shannon Entropy Mapping - AF Ablation From First Principles
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,589.00
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder in humans, and a rapidly growing epidemic in Australia. AF occurs because electrical circuits called rotors take over the top chambers of the heart. Until now, ablation procedures to target AF have not been able to specifically target rotors, which has meant operations are often long and arduous. This project uses new mathematical techniques we have developed to localise rotors driving AF, aiming to develop a faster safer and more ....Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder in humans, and a rapidly growing epidemic in Australia. AF occurs because electrical circuits called rotors take over the top chambers of the heart. Until now, ablation procedures to target AF have not been able to specifically target rotors, which has meant operations are often long and arduous. This project uses new mathematical techniques we have developed to localise rotors driving AF, aiming to develop a faster safer and more effective AF ablation.Read moreRead less