Developing Improved Management For Peripheral Artery Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$569,219.00
Summary
~1 million Australians have peripheral artery disease. The current application is for a Practitioner Fellowship to support my research aimed at improving care of artery disease. The aim of the work is to develop improved management approaches for patients with blocked and weakened arteries. This work is particularly important given the recognised management deficiencies for patients with artery disease and the relative little research being undertaken in this area.
Assessment And Prediction Of Blood Flow Dynamics In Congenital Aortic Abnormalities Using Image-based Computer Modelling And Wave Intensity Analysis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$390,925.00
Summary
Severe aortic abnormality is a serious problem in many infants with congenital heart disease, but it is often unclear what type of treatment will optimise blood flow and minimise the risk of later complications. This study aims to harness recent developments in blood flow modelling, magnetic resonance imaging and advanced blood flow analysis techniques to determine the factors that lead to complications in these children, thereby providing crucial information for improving treatment strategies.
A Trial To Assess A New Therapy For Artery Weakening
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,105,894.00
Summary
Approximately 5% of men and 1% of women aged over 60 years develop weakening of the main abdominal artery. Currently the management of artery weakening is focused on surgery with no effective medications available. In this trial we will examine the value of a promising drug therapy. If proved effective this medication could reduce the requirement for surgery by controlling artery weakening at an early stage in its development.
A Study Of The Origins Of Macrophages In Healthy And Atherosclerotic Vasculature Focusing On A Novel Population Of Resident Adventitial Macrophage Progenitor Cells (AMPCs)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,345.00
Summary
White blood cells (macrophages) play a key role in the development of atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of most heart attacks and strokes. We have made new discoveries to show that there are stem (progenitor) cells for macrophages that exist within the outer lining of blood vessels. This project will study whether these local progenitor cells, called AMPCs, are a source of macrophages in atherosclerosis and in turn could lead to new treatment approaches for cardiovascular disease.
Targeting Renal And Vascular Inflammation In Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$781,589.00
Summary
Inflammation is a hallmark of high blood pressure (A.K.A. hypertension) and underlies clinical complications of the condition such as kidney failure and blood vessel disease. This project will investigate whether a recently described signaling complex termed the 'inflammasome' is a trigger of inflammation in hypertension in the hope of identifying it as a target for new drugs that are more effective in the treatment of hypertension and its complications.
Mechanisms Of Vascular Dysfunction During Acute And Chronic Hyperglycemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$56,700.00
Summary
Increased consumption of sugary drinks has contributed to an epidemic of obesity and diabetes and consequently cardiovascular disease. For the first time in living memory, this may well lead to declining life-expectancy. My research will examine both the short and long-term impact of sugary drinks on vital blood vessel function. In the process it will develop better methods to monitor blood vessel function and inform public health policy on sugary drinks and preventing cardiovascular disease.
Exertional Dyspnoea With Increased Filling Pressure - Mechanisms And Treatment Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,793.00
Summary
Patients with early heart disease often present with shortness of breath with exercise, as myocardial reserve at that stage is usually sufficient to maintain normal function at rest . Indeed, much myocardial dysfunction may originate from the modern lifestyle, including inactivity, obesity, the metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes. The potential benefits of making a definitive early diagnosis are large, because it seems more likely that an impact can be made on the disease process (and theref ....Patients with early heart disease often present with shortness of breath with exercise, as myocardial reserve at that stage is usually sufficient to maintain normal function at rest . Indeed, much myocardial dysfunction may originate from the modern lifestyle, including inactivity, obesity, the metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes. The potential benefits of making a definitive early diagnosis are large, because it seems more likely that an impact can be made on the disease process (and therefore, outcome) than with late stage disease. Current treatment strategies are expensive and because they are directed at end-organ damage (heart failure, heart attacks etc), rather ineffective. This multispecialty, multidisciplinary group will undertake a series of unique studies aimed at identifying early cardiovascular disease. The strategy will involve detection of abnormal filling behaviour at stress echocardiography, with randomization into longterm and short-term trials to examine various therapeutic strategies. Sensitive new cardiovascular imaging techniques will be used to detect preclinical abnormalities in the structure and function of the heart and vasculature, facilitating a mechanistic understanding of the process of increasing filling pressure with exercise.Read moreRead less
Atherosclerosis: Molecular Action And Suppression Of NKT Cell Subsets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$458,815.00
Summary
Atherosclerosis, or hardening of large arteries, is the underlying cause of up to 50% of deaths in Western communities from heart attacks and strokes. Today it is considered a chronic inflammatory disease arising from the influx of fats such as cholesterol into the inner liming of arteries that provide blood supply to organs such as the heart and the brain. However, the exact role that inflammation plays in the development of this blood vessel disease is poorly understood. This study is directed ....Atherosclerosis, or hardening of large arteries, is the underlying cause of up to 50% of deaths in Western communities from heart attacks and strokes. Today it is considered a chronic inflammatory disease arising from the influx of fats such as cholesterol into the inner liming of arteries that provide blood supply to organs such as the heart and the brain. However, the exact role that inflammation plays in the development of this blood vessel disease is poorly understood. This study is directed towards understanding the role of a subset of while blood cells known as NKT cells in the inflammatory process. In particular we will examine whether the activity of NKT cells in promoting atherosclerosis can be controlled either by the administration of drugs that deprive them of molecules that stimulate their activity and-or by the injection of another population of white blood cells known as regulatory T cells that may to limit their activity. Our preclinical study of atherosclerosis in mice has potential for extension to the control of atherosclerosis in humans. Successful translation in this way can be expected to provide a significant health benefit.Read moreRead less