Cardiac Dysfunction In Advanced Liver Disease And After Liver Transplantation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Heart disease is the leading cause of early death after liver transplantation (LT). The scarcity of donor organs means that LT is a limited and valuable resource. We propose screening for heart disease before LT by CT scanning of heart arteries and heart function on stress testing to improve detection of coronary heart disease (CHD). Follow-up CT scans will also assess if LT causes progression of CHD. These studies will aid in development of personalised treatment strategies to improve outcomes.
Improving Outcomes Of Transplantation By Targeting Retrieval, Care And Complications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$70,750.00
Summary
Our aim is to find out what the problems related to organ transplantation are in order to suggest ways of intervening to help reduce these problems for patients and the health care system. We will work closely with the team at one of Australia's leading transplant centres at Westmead Hospital to try and find safe and economic ways to tackle issues of organ shortage, those that come up during the organ donation and in the wider care of patients improve the practice.
Atrial Fibrillation And Hypertension: Reverse Cardiac Remodelling Post Renal Denervation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$90,144.00
Summary
Patients with hypertension are at increased risk of heart rhythm disorders, yet little is known if treatment of high blood pressure will improve abnormal rhythm. Renal denervation is a new and effective treatment for severe hypertension; this study will assess the adverse changes in heart structure and function due to severe hypertension, and investigate whether renal denervation can ameliorate these changes on a structural and electrical level.
Genetic Predisposition To Abnormal Atrial Substrate In Atrial Fibrillation (GENE-AF Study)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,531.00
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder worldwide and its incidence is growing. Our world-first research aims to demonstrate that individuals who carry specific genetic variants are more likely to develop abnormal electrical and structural changes in the heart, which predispose to AF. In doing so, we intend to find the link between genetics and AF, paving the way for research into novel targeted therapies to better manage this complex and difficult to treat disease.
Prediction Of Ventricular Arrhythmias And Prevention Of Sudden Cardiac Death Following Revascularised Acute Myocardial Infarction.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$117,270.00
Summary
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of death in Australia. Patients with coronary artery disease and impaired left ventricular function are at increased risk of heart failure, reinfarction and sudden cardiac death (SCD). This research will evaluate optimal methods to identify patients at risk for SCD following AMI using echocardiographic, MRI, and electrophysiological characteristics, and improve survival by early identification and management of these high-risk patients.
The Role Of Th17 And Tregs In The Development Of Tolerance And Rejection In A Murine Model Of Renal Allograft Rejection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$110,068.00
Summary
In clinical transplantation, rejection remains the greatest problem in determining both short and long-term patient outcomes. Tolerance, the ability of the body to accept a transplant without immunosuppressive drugs, remains an as yet unattained goal. The aim of this project is to examine the mechanisms by which the initial immune response (innate immunity) affects the development of tolerance or rejection in a mouse model of kidney transplantation.
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.
Exploring The Link Between Alcohol And Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence: A Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,714.00
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac rhythm disturbance & is associated with a doubling in mortality (due to heart failure & stroke) and significant morbidity. Recent studies indicate that alcohol intake (even at mild-moderate levels) is a risk factor for AF. This world-first multicentre randomised controlled trial of 200 patients with AF aims to determine whether abstinence from alcohol (or significantly reduced consumption) will reduce frequency and burden of AF episodes.
Eye Banks, Exports, And Australian Opinion: Exploring National Utility Of Human Corneal Tissue Donation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$111,973.00
Summary
Human corneal tissue donations from the deceased can outstrip the demand of eye tissue from ophthalmologists to perform a corneal transplantation, a surgical procedure to treat blindness. This research will determine the quantity of surplus eye tissue, and community understanding of donation and support for exportation. This will help the sector with decision-making on management of oversupply and potential exporte to other countries in need.
The Regulation Of Monocyte Derived Dendritic Cells (moDCs) During Allograft Rejection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$110,218.00
Summary
Islet transplantation can cure type 1 diabetes, but the required drugs for immunosuppressing graft rejection have side effects. Therefore understanding how immune rejection occurs so that we can suppress in a more discreet selective way is our goal. A type of cell that is prominent during graft rejection is the monocyte derived dendritic cell. We propose that this cell is critical for orchestrating immune responses during rejection. Therefore we wish to determine how such cells are controlled.