Investigation Of Sudden Cardiac Death In The Young
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,823.00
Summary
Sudden cardiac death is a major tragedy in young people. In approximately one third of such cases, no cause of death is found at autopsy. This study will investigate the causes of sudden cardiac death in the young, with a specific emphasis on the underlying genetic causes of sudden unexplained death. This information will be used for screening surviving family relatives, thereby improving both diagnostic and treatment-prevention opportunities and reducing sudden cardiac death in our community.
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a devastating consequence of a number of heart diseases. Underlying causes include inherited heart muscle problems (cardiomyopathies), with no cause found in 40%. Our study will investigate the role of 'concealed cardiomyopathy' cases, i.e. those with a SCD event with no evidence of heart disease, but carry errors in heart genes. Our findings will translate rapidly into more targeted clinical and genetic evaluation of families with the ultimate goal to prevent SCD.
New Gene Discovery In Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,493.00
Summary
Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic heart disorder which affects 1 in 500 of the population, and can lead to heart failure and sudden death. Identification of the genetic causes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has important implications for our understanding of this disease, and in translating these genetic discoveries into better diagnostic and prevention strategies in at-risk families. This research proposal seeks to perform a comprehensive clinical and genetic investigation of pe ....Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic heart disorder which affects 1 in 500 of the population, and can lead to heart failure and sudden death. Identification of the genetic causes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has important implications for our understanding of this disease, and in translating these genetic discoveries into better diagnostic and prevention strategies in at-risk families. This research proposal seeks to perform a comprehensive clinical and genetic investigation of people with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.Read moreRead less
Substrate Mapping And Ablation Of Ventricular Tachycardia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,129.00
Summary
Sudden death is a tragic occurrence and can afflict Australians of all ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds. This research will aim to understand abnormalities in the heart muscle that cause dangerous heart rhythm abnormalities, which is the most common cause of sudden death. We will study ways to improve the technology of keyhole cardiac procedures so that it can be used to prevent these arrhythmias from occurring in the first place, and in improving the chance of long-term successful cure.
Preclinical Assessment Of Gene Therapy For Ventricular Arrhythmia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$801,079.00
Summary
Up to 10% of patients are at risk of sudden death following myocardial infarction. Current treatment and preventative initiatives have their limits and are not without risk. In this proposal we will continue to develop an exciting new treatment approach using gene therapy technology. We will attempt to overcome some of the barriers for human application of this technology and pave the way for early phase clinical trials.
Noncontact Biventricular Mapping And Intramural Ablation In A Chronic Ovine Model Of Septal Ventricular Tachycardia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$519,279.00
Summary
Ventricular tachycardia (VT), an abnormal rhythm originating from the bottom portion of the heart is the major cause of sudden death in the community. Medications are not reliably effective. Expensive (costing about $40,000 every 5 years) implanted defibrillators are very effective in terminating VT, but frequently require painful shocks. Patients who require frequent treatment from their defibrillators are considered for mapping and ablation. About half of the patients with VT have the arrhythm ....Ventricular tachycardia (VT), an abnormal rhythm originating from the bottom portion of the heart is the major cause of sudden death in the community. Medications are not reliably effective. Expensive (costing about $40,000 every 5 years) implanted defibrillators are very effective in terminating VT, but frequently require painful shocks. Patients who require frequent treatment from their defibrillators are considered for mapping and ablation. About half of the patients with VT have the arrhythmia originating from the septum (heart muscle separating the two bottom portions of the heart). This area of the heart is difficult to map from an electrical point of view. A new type of mapping system called the Ensite 3000 system enables acquisition of 3,300 virtual electrical signals from within a heart chamber using an electrode array that does not have to be in direct contact with the heart muscle surface. Our evaluation of the Ensite system in one chamber of the heart has found it to be very good in identifying areas of abnormal electrical activity. It is possible that simultaneous mapping from both sides of the septum using Ensite might be useful in mapping VT originating from the septum. Destruction of the abnormal area, once identified, is generally done using a catheter, but is limited by its ability to destroy targets deep in the heart tissue. We have designed and developed a catheter that is equipped with a needle at its tip that can create deeper lesions. In this study we will be evaluating mapping using the Ensite electrodes in both ventricles in a chronic sheep model with VT originating from the septum. The Ensite mapping will be validated with detailed contact (conventional) mapping. The prototype catheter will be used to destroy the site of origin of VT, once identified. This study should enable more effective treatment of patients with VT and improve their quality of life.Read moreRead less
Prediction Of Ventricular Arrhythmias And Prevention Of Sudden Cardiac Death Following Revascularised Acute Myocardial Infarction.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$117,270.00
Summary
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of death in Australia. Patients with coronary artery disease and impaired left ventricular function are at increased risk of heart failure, reinfarction and sudden cardiac death (SCD). This research will evaluate optimal methods to identify patients at risk for SCD following AMI using echocardiographic, MRI, and electrophysiological characteristics, and improve survival by early identification and management of these high-risk patients.
Electrophysiologic Properties Of The Ventricular Myocardium Promoting Reentry
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$272,871.00
Summary
Ventricular tachycardia is a dangerous heart rhythm that usually occurs in people with prior heart attacks. These people often have scarring on their heart and the tachycardia occurs due to electrical activity forming a circuit around the scar. This study will examine the factors that cause ventricular tachycardia to begin by looking at the characteristics of the scarring.
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a tragic consequence of a number of heart diseases. The death is often unexpected and has major implications for the family and community. This 3-year study seeks to evaluate clinical, genetic, and long-term outcomes in Australian families where SCD has occurred in a young relative (aged 1-35 years). This study will improve clinical and genetic evaluation of families, resulting in targeted management strategies, with the ultimate goal to prevent SCD.
Development Of A First-in-class Therapeutic For Protecting The Ischemic Heart
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$926,673.00
Summary
Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally. Heart attacks are the primary cause of death associated with heart disease. We have discovered a drug, Hi1a, that blocks the injury response of the heart when a heart attack happens. There are no other drugs currently available or in the discovery pipeline that address this problem. This proposal will use models of injury to the heart as well as safety studies to help develop Hi1a as a new drug for people who suffer from heart attacks.