Targeted Direct Reprogramming Of Adult Cardiac Fibroblasts To Functional Cardiomyocytes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$618,493.00
Summary
Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) is the leading cause of mortality in Australia, accounting for ~ 22,000 Australians each year. Regenerating a damaged heart remains a major challenge, requiring us to rethink the problem and develop new innovative and readily translatable strategies. This proposal will develop a targeted, cell-free approach to directly reprogram resident cardiac fibroblasts into functional cardiomyocytes post a heart attack, paving the way for a new therapy for IHD sufferers.
The Limit Of Detection In The Emergency Department Trial: A Stepped-wedge Cluster Randomised Trial For Rapid Assessment Of Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome In The Emergency Department
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$532,120.00
Summary
Over 450,000 patients present to Australian emergency departments with chest pain every year. The current approach to rule out heart attack for these patients is lengthy, costly and creates overcrowding in the emergency department. This is not sustainable in a system with growing demand and finite resources. This study will evaluate a rapid assessment pathway for investigating chest pain in the emergency department. The pathway will reduce healthcare utilisation while retaining patient safety.
The Impact Of A Public Awareness Campaign On Cardiac Arrest Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$163,596.00
Summary
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is the most common cause of death from heart attacks. Although victims of OHCA typically experience hours of warning symptoms, the majority underestimate their significance and fail to take early action. This research explores whether a public awareness campaign can help to prevent OHCA by increasing public knowledge of the warning symptoms and the importance of accessing ambulance care. The findings will help shape the direction of future campaigns.
The Personalising Acute Myocardial Infarction Care To Improve Outcomes (PAMICO Project)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,499,234.00
Summary
The modern management of heart attacks has improved survival dramatically, however, not all patients receive the best care available, leading to variation in quality and health outcomes. The PAMICO Project (Personalising Acute Myocardial Infarction Care to improve Outcomes) aims to bridge this gap using sophisticated electronic data systems and integrated care teams to produce personalised clinical management pathways so that care is patient-centered and aligned with best practice.
Cardiac Matrix Modulation By Platelet Derived Growth Factor To Improve Outcomes After Myocardial Infarction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,009.00
Summary
This project is directed towards improving the poor outcome in patients suffering heart failure. Whilst rates of some cardiovascular diseases are decreasing, heart failure incidence is rising significantly. Once end stage heart failure occurs, heart transplantation is possible but has several limitations including organ availability. This research into cardiac regeneration could potentially lead to a significant therapy for heart failure, thereby translating into life-saving outcomes.
Assessment Of Microcirculatory Impairment In Reperfused Acute Myocardial Infarction By Invasive Coronary Hemodynamic Measurements And Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Modulation By Exenatide
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$388,752.00
Summary
This study aims to assess the health of small blood vessels of the heart muscle during and following a heart attack by measuring blood flow with a pressure wire and with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Small blood vessels within the heart muscle may become injured due to lack of oxygen and white cell activation during a heart attack. This study investigates the effect of a new agent, exenatide, on small blood vessels and white cells and determines whether it might lessen the degree of damage ....This study aims to assess the health of small blood vessels of the heart muscle during and following a heart attack by measuring blood flow with a pressure wire and with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Small blood vessels within the heart muscle may become injured due to lack of oxygen and white cell activation during a heart attack. This study investigates the effect of a new agent, exenatide, on small blood vessels and white cells and determines whether it might lessen the degree of damage to heart muscle and small blood vessels.Read moreRead less
Utility Of Adenosine Stress Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Following ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Post Primary Angioplasty
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,322.00
Summary
Heart attacks remain the leading cause of death in the western world. Many patients presenting with an acute heart attack have more than one significant narrowing in the blood vessel. After treatment of the culprit vessel, a robust non invasive imaging technique such as cardiac MRI allows us to study of the extent of damage from the heart attack. In addition, it also enables us to determine the functional significance of the non culprit vessel. This will help guide the management of these patien ....Heart attacks remain the leading cause of death in the western world. Many patients presenting with an acute heart attack have more than one significant narrowing in the blood vessel. After treatment of the culprit vessel, a robust non invasive imaging technique such as cardiac MRI allows us to study of the extent of damage from the heart attack. In addition, it also enables us to determine the functional significance of the non culprit vessel. This will help guide the management of these patients.Read moreRead less
Risk And Determinants Of Fatal And Non-Fatal Coronary Heart Disease In The Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$427,500.00
Summary
Heart disease is the leading cause of death and ill-health in Australia. Accordingly, it also imposes a significant cost burden to the community. The key to effective prevention is understanding of the roles of risk factors in the development of heart disease. These are best defined through the use of large cohort studies, which are those that follow up a group of individuals over time. Statistical analyses are used to develop prediction equations to quantify the effects of multiple risk factors ....Heart disease is the leading cause of death and ill-health in Australia. Accordingly, it also imposes a significant cost burden to the community. The key to effective prevention is understanding of the roles of risk factors in the development of heart disease. These are best defined through the use of large cohort studies, which are those that follow up a group of individuals over time. Statistical analyses are used to develop prediction equations to quantify the effects of multiple risk factors in terms of their contributions to risk of heart disease. The current heart disease prediction equations most commonly used in Australia are based on older overseas studies, such as the Framingham Heart Study. Other than having low relevance to the current Australian population, they incorporate only a limited range of traditional risk factors. A spectrum of new risk factors is emerging. This study aims to develop risk prediction equations for heart disease that are applicable to the current Australian population, using contemporary data from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. Results from this study will allow the future onset of heart disease to be predicted with accuracy and confidence, which in turn will allow preventive strategies, including expensive drugs, to be utilised in a more effective manner. Ultimately, the results will lead to a more efficient allocation of limited healthcare resources in Australia.Read moreRead less
Therapeutic Silencing Of Egr-1 By Novel Catalytic Oligodeoxynucleotides For The Treatment Of Acute Myocardial Infarction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$384,353.00
Summary
Heart attack remains a major health problem. We have identified a gene in the heart which is turned on in the first few hours of a heart attack. We have shown in principle that switching this gene off using a novel synthetic drug, reduces heart attack size. Our project assesses the long term effects of this drug on the heart using state of the art imaging when the the drug is administered in a clinically relevant manner. This study may faciliate a new treatment approach for this condition.