Investigation Of Sudden Cardiac Death In The Young
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,823.00
Summary
Sudden cardiac death is a major tragedy in young people. In approximately one third of such cases, no cause of death is found at autopsy. This study will investigate the causes of sudden cardiac death in the young, with a specific emphasis on the underlying genetic causes of sudden unexplained death. This information will be used for screening surviving family relatives, thereby improving both diagnostic and treatment-prevention opportunities and reducing sudden cardiac death in our community.
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a devastating consequence of a number of heart diseases. Underlying causes include inherited heart muscle problems (cardiomyopathies), with no cause found in 40%. Our study will investigate the role of 'concealed cardiomyopathy' cases, i.e. those with a SCD event with no evidence of heart disease, but carry errors in heart genes. Our findings will translate rapidly into more targeted clinical and genetic evaluation of families with the ultimate goal to prevent SCD.
New Gene Discovery In Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,493.00
Summary
Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic heart disorder which affects 1 in 500 of the population, and can lead to heart failure and sudden death. Identification of the genetic causes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has important implications for our understanding of this disease, and in translating these genetic discoveries into better diagnostic and prevention strategies in at-risk families. This research proposal seeks to perform a comprehensive clinical and genetic investigation of pe ....Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic heart disorder which affects 1 in 500 of the population, and can lead to heart failure and sudden death. Identification of the genetic causes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has important implications for our understanding of this disease, and in translating these genetic discoveries into better diagnostic and prevention strategies in at-risk families. This research proposal seeks to perform a comprehensive clinical and genetic investigation of people with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.Read moreRead less
Preclinical Assessment Of Gene Therapy For Ventricular Arrhythmia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$801,079.00
Summary
Up to 10% of patients are at risk of sudden death following myocardial infarction. Current treatment and preventative initiatives have their limits and are not without risk. In this proposal we will continue to develop an exciting new treatment approach using gene therapy technology. We will attempt to overcome some of the barriers for human application of this technology and pave the way for early phase clinical trials.
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a tragic consequence of a number of heart diseases. The death is often unexpected and has major implications for the family and community. This 3-year study seeks to evaluate clinical, genetic, and long-term outcomes in Australian families where SCD has occurred in a young relative (aged 1-35 years). This study will improve clinical and genetic evaluation of families, resulting in targeted management strategies, with the ultimate goal to prevent SCD.
Cardiac Arrhythmias And Cardiac Contractility During Stress: Regulation By Brainstem Medullary Raph Neurons
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,250.00
Summary
Life is stressful, and in subjects with predisposed hearts stressful events may provoke sudden life-threatening or fatal disturbances of the heart rhythm (arrhythmias). Activity in nerves that control the heart is the main trigger of arrhythmias. This activity is initiated in the brain, when, for example, we have a sudden emotional shock. At present, the neurochemistry and connections of the brain neurons responsible for arrhythmias, have not been identified. Our project is designed to find answ ....Life is stressful, and in subjects with predisposed hearts stressful events may provoke sudden life-threatening or fatal disturbances of the heart rhythm (arrhythmias). Activity in nerves that control the heart is the main trigger of arrhythmias. This activity is initiated in the brain, when, for example, we have a sudden emotional shock. At present, the neurochemistry and connections of the brain neurons responsible for arrhythmias, have not been identified. Our project is designed to find answers to these questions. Our hypothesis is that the responsible neurons are located in the midline portion of the medulla oblongata (the lower part of the brain); that activation of these neurons will increase cardiac function in a manner that may provoke arrhythmias; and, conversely, that their inhibition will protect the heart during stressful events by suppressing potentially arrhythmogenic neural signals. We hypothesise that cardiac-controlling neurons possess receptors for serotonin (one of the brain neurotransmitters), and that the neurons can be inhibited by drugs that selectively activate a specific subtype of these receptors. Our results will increase our understanding of the causes of cardiac arrhythmias by elucidating the link between emotional-psychological events in the brain and stress-induced cardiac events. Our findings could contribute to the identification of new drugs that will protect the heart during stress.Read moreRead less
Electrophysiologic Properties Of The Ventricular Myocardium Promoting Reentry
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$272,871.00
Summary
Ventricular tachycardia is a dangerous heart rhythm that usually occurs in people with prior heart attacks. These people often have scarring on their heart and the tachycardia occurs due to electrical activity forming a circuit around the scar. This study will examine the factors that cause ventricular tachycardia to begin by looking at the characteristics of the scarring.
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.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic heart disease. A new clinical subgroup of HCM patients who are essentially gene carriers, referred to as "Genotype Positive Phenotype Negative" has arisen as a result of genetic testing in at-risk family relatives. Little is known about the natural history and long-term clinical outcomes of this new clinical subgroup. Understanding these factors is vital to the development of management guidelines that will lead to the best possible ou ....Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic heart disease. A new clinical subgroup of HCM patients who are essentially gene carriers, referred to as "Genotype Positive Phenotype Negative" has arisen as a result of genetic testing in at-risk family relatives. Little is known about the natural history and long-term clinical outcomes of this new clinical subgroup. Understanding these factors is vital to the development of management guidelines that will lead to the best possible outcome for these patients.Read moreRead less
Sudden Cardiac Arrest: Improving Detection Of Patients At Risk
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$838,845.00
Summary
Sudden cardiac death accounts for ~10% of deaths in our community. Many of these deaths occur in people who could otherwise have had many more years of productive life ahead of them. The aim of our research is to determine the underlying mechanisms so that we can develop better tools for detecting underlying problems before they become life threatening and potentially develop new treatments to modify the underlying causes.