In persistent atrial fibrillation the underlying mechanisms involved and how they vary in different patient populations remain poorly elucidated. As a result, curative techniques have a low success rate. It is anticipated that this study will provide detailed information regarding the mechanism of and underlying atrial substrate for persistent atrial fibrillation. This information will be expected to form a foundation on which development of curative and preventative approaches may be tailored.
The Neonav ECG Tip Location System: Better & Safer Care For Paediatric Intensive Care Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$879,010.00
Summary
Babies and children can be critically ill. When they need intensive care, thin, flexible tubes (catheters) are placed in their blood vessels to deliver fluids and medications. Despite best efforts, catheters may not reach or move from the correct location inside the patient and the procedures may need to be repeated. Our solution is an innovative medical device that tracks where the catheter is during and after the procedure; this makes care safer and less stressful for the babies and children.
Improved Risk Assessment For Drugs Causing Cardiac Arrhythmias
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,166.00
Summary
Fatal heart rhythm disturbances are an all too common side effect of many drugs. Tests that are in place to guard against this are effective, but widely considered too stringent, meaning the development of potentially useful new therapeutics has been hampered. This study will characterise the precise mechanisms by which drugs cause arrhythmias and identify specific patterns on patient ECGs associated with the risk of rhythm disturbances that can be used in more effective clinical testing.
The Effect Of Exercise Training On Cardiac Structure, Function And The Electrocardiogram In Indigenous And Non-Indigenous Elite Australian Athletes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$133,351.00
Summary
The sudden death of an athlete is a tragic event with substantial emotional and social impact on the community.Evidence suggests that cardiac screening of competitive athletes can significantly reduce this risk (reduction of sudden cardiac death in Italy by 75%).It is imperative that we obtain data on both indigenous and non-indigenous athletes in the Australian setting to develop a normal range for our population if we are to develop an effective screening programme.
Sudden Cardiac Death In Renal Failure And The Use Of Cardiac Defibrillators
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$404,135.00
Summary
The main cause of death among renal failure patients starting dialysis is from fatal heart rhythms leading to sudden death, preventable with defibrillators. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of the new less invasive defibrillators placed placed just under the skin. It would allow more patients to receive life saving therapy without the vascular complications. It will also improve selection criteria to identify patients who would benefit the most from defibrillators as well as advance ou ....The main cause of death among renal failure patients starting dialysis is from fatal heart rhythms leading to sudden death, preventable with defibrillators. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of the new less invasive defibrillators placed placed just under the skin. It would allow more patients to receive life saving therapy without the vascular complications. It will also improve selection criteria to identify patients who would benefit the most from defibrillators as well as advance our understanding of key predcitors of sudden death.Read moreRead less
Coronary artery disease usually presents with chest pain resulting from cardiac muscle being starved of blood and oxygen due to narrowings in the coronary arteries supplying the heart muscle (myocardial ischaemia). The common test to detect this state is the electrocardiogram or ECG which often shows changes known as ST segment shifts. This project follows earlier work and will explain why the ST changes occur and also will determine how to maximize the information from the ECG so that clinician ....Coronary artery disease usually presents with chest pain resulting from cardiac muscle being starved of blood and oxygen due to narrowings in the coronary arteries supplying the heart muscle (myocardial ischaemia). The common test to detect this state is the electrocardiogram or ECG which often shows changes known as ST segment shifts. This project follows earlier work and will explain why the ST changes occur and also will determine how to maximize the information from the ECG so that clinicians are better able to predict the site, size and timing of the ischaemia from the ECG. The proposal will use detailed measurement of the electric field around the ischaemic region to build up the three dimensional electric field from which the explanation as to why the body surface patterns occur will be gleaned by computer modelling. This project will extend the field measurement back into the myocardium using intramyocardial electrodes with a spacing of 2 mm. This project will result in better analysis of the ECG in patients with chest pain, better practice in selecting patients for admission or early treatment and could result in substantial savings to the health system from reduced admissions, more appropriate investigation and treatment. A better diagnosis on one patient daily in Austarlia alone would be expected to save one million dollars in the year.Read moreRead less