Vascular Targeting Combined With Radiosurgery In An Arteriovenous Malformation Rat Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$102,345.00
Summary
Cerebral arteriovenous malformations are an important cause of stroke and brain bleeds. In many patients such a stroke can result in severe disability or death. Current management involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and endovascular treatments and carry a high risk of complications. This research project suggests a new form of treatment whereby irradiating the vascular malformation a medication could be administered to cause targeted clotting of the malformation.
The Role Of Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI) In The Pathogenesis Of Lymphatic Malformations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$87,198.00
Summary
Lymphatic malformations or cystic hygomas are growths of abnormal blood vessels called 'lymphatic vessels'. They are present at birth, commonly affect the head and neck, and can cause lifelong problems due to growth in size and frequent infections. Surgical treatment does not offer a cure, and problems often persist lifelong. The finding that blood clots are continuously forming and breaking down in these growths may provide a clue to relieving symptoms and understanding the cause of this condit ....Lymphatic malformations or cystic hygomas are growths of abnormal blood vessels called 'lymphatic vessels'. They are present at birth, commonly affect the head and neck, and can cause lifelong problems due to growth in size and frequent infections. Surgical treatment does not offer a cure, and problems often persist lifelong. The finding that blood clots are continuously forming and breaking down in these growths may provide a clue to relieving symptoms and understanding the cause of this condition.Read moreRead less
Evaluation Of Aspirin And Tranexamic Acid In Coronary Artery Surgery: The ATACAS Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,185,000.00
Summary
This large study will compare two types of drug treatment in 4600 patients undergoing heart surgery, to see whether either can reduce the risk of death or major complications. The complications after surgery we are measuring include heart attack, stroke, lung embolism, bleeding around the heart, breathing failure, kidney failure, major haemorrhage, serious wound infection, and death. The first drug being tested is low-dose aspirin. It is believed that aspirin can reduce the risk of a further hea ....This large study will compare two types of drug treatment in 4600 patients undergoing heart surgery, to see whether either can reduce the risk of death or major complications. The complications after surgery we are measuring include heart attack, stroke, lung embolism, bleeding around the heart, breathing failure, kidney failure, major haemorrhage, serious wound infection, and death. The first drug being tested is low-dose aspirin. It is believed that aspirin can reduce the risk of a further heart attack or stroke in patients with pre-existing heart disease. There is some evidence that aspirin may have similar effects in people undergoing heart surgery, but such use is constrained by a concern that there may be an increased risk of bleeding after surgery. For this reason, most patients having heart surgery are advised to stop their aspirin about one week before surgery. But patients could be missing out on aspirin's beneficial effects. At present, we do not know whether the benefits of aspirin could outweigh the risk of excesive bleeding. The second drug being tested is tranexamic acid. This drug prevents blood clot being broken down at the stitching sites of surgery, and probably reduces the amount of blood loss during and after heart surgery. It is known that use of this drug reduces the need for a blood transfusion. It is possible that this could avoid other more serious complications after surgery. Both of these drugs are being tested individually, but in addition we are testing whether they may have an extra beneficial effect when used together. The study is being done by a partnership of anaesthetitsts and surgeons at more than 20 hospitals around Australia.Read moreRead less
Susceptibility To Venous Leg Ulceration: Investigation Of The First Genetic Risk Factor
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$291,000.00
Summary
This application aims to confirm our preliminary identification of the first candidate gene as a risk factor for developing venous leg ulceration. Since patients with venous leg ulcers experience pain and psychological consequences including anger and depression, all of which impact negatively on quality of life, active prevention of ulceration will have significant lifestyle and financial benefits. Venous leg ulcers occur in patients who have venous disease, in particular in patients with previ ....This application aims to confirm our preliminary identification of the first candidate gene as a risk factor for developing venous leg ulceration. Since patients with venous leg ulcers experience pain and psychological consequences including anger and depression, all of which impact negatively on quality of life, active prevention of ulceration will have significant lifestyle and financial benefits. Venous leg ulcers occur in patients who have venous disease, in particular in patients with previous deep vein thrombosis. However, not all patients with a deep vein thrombosis or other forms of venous disease will go on to develop a venous ulcer. Our preliminary results show that patients with a venous ulcer have a greater frequency of this gene than healthy controls without venous ulcers, and suggest that patients with the candidate gene have a greater risk of developing venous ulceration. In this study we aim to determine whether the gene itself contributes to ulcer susceptibility or whether it is just a marker of that susceptibility. We can do this by assessing related genes and the levels of the protein produced by this gene. In this study we also aim to assess whether patients with a proven deep vein thrombosis are more likely to develop venous ulceration if they have the candidate gene. These studies have the potential to lead to the development of a diagnostic screening test for use in patients with venous disease, to assess the likelihood of developing leg ulceration. This will enable more active treatment to prevent leg ulceration. If this gene contributes to ulcer susceptibility new specific treatments may be developed for ulcer management and prevention.Read moreRead less
Clinical Feasibility Study Of Omega-3 PUFA Therapy For The Reduction Of Post-cardiac Surgery Atrial Arrhythmias
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$442,092.00
Summary
The aim of this study is to determine the molecular and clinical impact of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) pre-treatment 2 weeks before cardiac surgery in 150 patients. The outcome of this proposal will indicate proof of molecular concepts, clinical feasibility and specific design elements of a future, large scale, placebo controlled, prospective randomised trial of oral therapy with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Recently, omega-3 PUFA via fish diet was reported to be li ....The aim of this study is to determine the molecular and clinical impact of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) pre-treatment 2 weeks before cardiac surgery in 150 patients. The outcome of this proposal will indicate proof of molecular concepts, clinical feasibility and specific design elements of a future, large scale, placebo controlled, prospective randomised trial of oral therapy with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Recently, omega-3 PUFA via fish diet was reported to be linked to low incidence of AF. The main aim is to provide a cheap and safe preventative therapy against post-operative atrial fibrillation (AF), a key heart rhythm disorder that occurs in at least 1 in 4 patients after heart surgery and increases post-operative complications, limits recovery and increases hospital stay and cost. Biochemical study elements are important to gain valuable insight into the molecular mechanisms (directly in human heart) that underlie post-operative heart rhythm disorder and may delineate new more precise molecular targets for therapy. No previous clinical study has ever examined whether omega-3 PUFA therapy prevents post-operative heart rhythm disorder. Use of 3g-day omega-3 PUFA pre-treatment in the surgical setting has been shown to be safe in a number of small studies, including our own. Our preliminary data indicates that therapy increases heart and blood content of omega-3 PUFA ~2-fold, and reduces the incidence of AF. Post-operative AF is an expensive resource burden in all cardiothoracic surgery units of Australian hospitals and targets key health priorities. Due to the non-patentable nature of omega-3 PUFA, significant industry based support for clinical research is limited. A positive outcome would rapidly pave the way for widespread use in elective surgery. Reduced length of hospital stay, cost-savings, and the increase in productivity as healthy individuals return to their communities would nationally repay the investment many fold.Read moreRead less