Local Cardiac Sex Steroids - New Therapeutic Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$646,994.00
Summary
The sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone, are implicated in susceptibility to heart diseases - the timing and type of disease development is different for women and men. The mechanisms for this are unknown. In this project we investigate the synthesis and breakdown of these hormones in the heart and determine how local hormone levels may affect heart muscle cell survival and function. The aim is to find ways of adjusting hormone balance to optimize protection when the heart is under stress.
Molecular Imaging And Therapy Of Cardiac Fibrosis In Atrial Fibrillation And Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,021,656.00
Summary
Cardiac fibrosis is a serious medical condition which can lead to an irregular heart beat and heart failure. We will develop novel diagnostic agents which are more sensitive and able to detect fibrosis of the heart at an earlier time point. This would allow timely initiation of therapy. In addition, we will investigate novel targeted anti-fibrotic agents to treat this devastating disease condition more effectively and with less adverse effects.
Kidney Function And The Effectiveness And Safety Of Direct Oral Anticoagulants In Atrial Fibrillation: The KODIAK-AF Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$451,730.00
Summary
The direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are a relatively new type of drug that are used to prevent the onset of stroke among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). While these drugs have been demonstrated to be safe and effective among AF patients, in those AF patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), there is uncertainty as to whether these drugs are similarly safe. This program of research will study the safety profile of DOACs in patients with AF and CKD.
Quantifying The Burden Of Atrial Fibrillation: Impact Of Existing And New Treatments And The Potential For Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$398,395.00
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) causes considerable morbidity and burden to the Australian economy. We will quantify the prevalent burden and costs of hospitalised AF, ascertain the risk of major events associated with AF and the impact of existing treatments, and determine the population-attributable risk for AF due to emerging risk factors. Our data will inform clinicians and health policy makers regarding the most effective allocation of expensive health care resources to minimise the burden of AF.
Shannon Entropy Mapping - AF Ablation From First Principles
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,589.00
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder in humans, and a rapidly growing epidemic in Australia. AF occurs because electrical circuits called rotors take over the top chambers of the heart. Until now, ablation procedures to target AF have not been able to specifically target rotors, which has meant operations are often long and arduous. This project uses new mathematical techniques we have developed to localise rotors driving AF, aiming to develop a faster safer and more ....Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder in humans, and a rapidly growing epidemic in Australia. AF occurs because electrical circuits called rotors take over the top chambers of the heart. Until now, ablation procedures to target AF have not been able to specifically target rotors, which has meant operations are often long and arduous. This project uses new mathematical techniques we have developed to localise rotors driving AF, aiming to develop a faster safer and more effective AF ablation.Read moreRead less
Atrial Remodelling And Risk Of Arrhythmias In Endurance Athletes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,006,750.00
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart rhythm problem that is 3 to 5 times more common in male athletes than the general male population - the reasons for this excess are not known. We hypothesize that the cardiac enlargement that is caused by high intensity exercise training increases the risk of AF. We will assess heart structure and function in 420 athletes across the age spectrum and assess the degree to which sports-induced changes are permanent and whether this represents an AF risk.
Phospholipase Cbeta 1b, A Target To Limit Atrial Dilatation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$544,847.00
Summary
We have identified a heart specific protein that is involved in perpetuating dilatation of the upper chambers of the heart and thereby contributing to cardiac disease. Inhibitors of this protein provide a suitable target for therapy to limit heart disease. The current studies aim to test such inhibitors in vivo as proof-of-concept that such treatment effectively limits cardiac dysfunction.
Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy And AV Node Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation In Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,274,979.00
Summary
Heart failure (HF) and Atrial Fibrillation (AF) are both significant health issues that often coexist. Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is a proven therapy for HF with ventricular dyssynchrony (uncoordinated contraction of the left ventricle). While CRT reduces symptoms and improves survival in normal rhythm, there are mixed reports in patients with AF. This prospective randomised multicentre study, will assess the role of AV node ablation to improve outcomes in CRT in AF.
Development Of A Bioinformatic Tool For The Rapid Identification Of Candidate Disease Genes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$436,367.00
Summary
Candidate disease gene prediction systems assist geneticists by using biological data to suggest genes likely to be causative of diseases in regions of the genome delineated by genetic studies. This area has been enabled by completion of the Human Genome Project and increased availability of high-throughput experimental data and sophisticated bioinformatic tools. Identification of disease genes will contribute to an understanding of disease, as well as its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
The Role Chromatin Remodeling Factors In Epigenetic Regulation Of Cardiac Arrhythmia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$854,135.00
Summary
Cardiovascular diseases kill an Australian every 11 minutes. Arrhythmias are of particular alarm since they can lead to significantly higher risk of serious strokes, heart failure, and overall mortality. We combine fruit fly genetics with next generation human genomics approaches to find and functionally validate new genes and mutations regulating arrhythmia in fruit flies and atrial fibrillation in humans, and this work can rapidly identify new avenues to pursue therapeutic intervention