A Prospective Multicentre Randomized Study To Evaluate The Impact Of OSA Treatment With CPAP On Atrial Electrical And Structural Substrate And On Long Term Maintenance Of Sinus Rhythm Following Catheter Ablation Of Atrial Fibrillation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Atrial fibrillation(AF) is the commonest heart rhythm disorder causing stroke, heart failure and increased mortality. Similarly, obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) is increasingly recognised as a modern epidemic. Epidemiological data have demonstrated an independent association between the two conditions. We will conduct a prospective multicenter randomized study to evaluate the impact of OSA treatment on: (i)maintenance of sinus rhythm after catheter ablation of AF, (ii)atrial structure and function
I am a cardiovascular scientist and interventional cardiologist using biotechnological, molecular and cell biological methods as well as in vivo and ex vivo models to address translational research questions in the fields of inflammation, thrombosis and atherosclerosis. The aim of my research is to better understand the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that ultimately provide direct benefits to patients.
The long-term side effects of renal denervation are unknown. This project is designed to (1) investigate the potential atherosclerosis-promoting effect of renal denervation, and (2) to study the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs to minimize this potential side effect. Ultimately, this project may improve the beneficial effects and minimize the potential side effects of renal denervation by routinely treating renal denervated patients with anti-inflammatory drugs.
BAFF And Its Receptors:contribution And Therapeutic Potential In Atherosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$562,742.00
Summary
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory reaction to cholesterol in blood vessels. Despite cholesterol-lowering statins, atherosclerosis-based heart attacks and strokes remain a major cause of deaths. Studies of BAFF, a pro-inflammatory molecule can shed new light on the inflammation. As BAFF blockers are already in clinical trials to treat inflammatory diseases, our study has potential to lead to using BAFF blockers to treat human atherosclerosis.
Cardiac Fibrosis In Hypertensive Heart Disease: Cellular And Molecular Mechanism
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,979.00
Summary
Cardiac fibrosis due to excess collagen accumulation in the heart is a major cause of heart failure associated with high blood pressure and greatly increases the risk of sudden death. At present there are no effective therapies to prevent cardiac fibrosis. Understanding how fibrosis develops and identifying the cells and factors responsible will lead to development of novel therapies for cardiac fibrosis.
Determinants Of Cardiovascular Health Over The Lifecourse In A Population-based Cohort Study Of Australian Families
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,161.00
Summary
This unique project will examine the heart health of roughly 3500 11-12 year olds in Australia's only nationally-representative children's study. It will then examine factors that may contribute to differing heart disease progression. We will characterise established factors (such as cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes), as well as measures of infection burden and inflammation to examine the innovative theory that childhood infection and/or its treatment contribute to poorer heart health.
Proatherogenic CD4 NKT Cells And Atherosclerosis: Molecular Mechanisms And Therapeutic Strategies For Suppression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$504,348.00
Summary
Immune cells called CD4+ iNKT cells are known to be activated by lipids which initiate development of atherosclerosis, a disorder of blood vessels which is responsible for most heart attacks and strokes. We aim to investigate how these cells contribute to the development of this important blood vessel disoder and examine potential ways of inhibiting their activation to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
This fellowship support will allow A/Prof Xiao-Jun DU to pursue his recent pre-clinical research findings on novel therapeutic interventions for cardiovascular diseases. He will particularly focus on new treatment of accumulation of excessive scar tissues (fibrosis) in the heart and large arteries following disease and cardiac inflammation, factors knowing to play pivotal roles in progression of cardiovascular diseases.
Defining Targets And Establishing Methods For Prevention, Diagnosis And Therapy Of Inflammation, Atherosclerosis And Thrombosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$847,490.00
Summary
My research focuses on preventing and treating atherosclerotic disease and its complications such as heart attack and stroke. This will be achieved by developing new imaging technologies, with the aim to detect unstable atherosclerotic plaques, as well as innovative new drugs preventing inflammation and thrombosis as the major contributors of heart attack and stroke.