Double Blind, Randomised Controlled Trial Assessing The Efficacy Of Endothelin-1 Receptor Antagonism In Preventing Peri-procedural Myonecrosis In Patients With Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,608.00
Summary
While the focus in the treatment of coronary artery disease has primarily been on the large vessels in the heart, vessels of small calibre may also play a significant role in patients with angina, heart attack, and muscle injury related to a stenting procedure.This project aims elucidate the possible mechanisms which cause dysfunction in these small vessels. I also hope to find a treatment strategy which may benefit patients with small vessel problems and thus improve their overall outcome.
Cardiac Matrix Modulation By Platelet Derived Growth Factor To Improve Outcomes After Myocardial Infarction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,009.00
Summary
This project is directed towards improving the poor outcome in patients suffering heart failure. Whilst rates of some cardiovascular diseases are decreasing, heart failure incidence is rising significantly. Once end stage heart failure occurs, heart transplantation is possible but has several limitations including organ availability. This research into cardiac regeneration could potentially lead to a significant therapy for heart failure, thereby translating into life-saving outcomes.
Retinal Vascular Structure And Function As Markers Of Endothelial Dysfunction.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$104,664.00
Summary
Coronary heart disease (CHD) due to atherosclerosis (thickening of blood vessels) remains the leading cause of death in Australia, but visualisation of heart arteries usually requires invasive testing. Blood vessels in the eye (retina), can be viewed easily and may be indicative of blood vessel function in the heart and rest of the body. This study aims to explore the relationship between eye and heart blood vessels. Retinal imaging may thus enable earlier detection of patients at risk of CHD.
Voltage Dependent Calcium Channels And Vascular Function: Do Microdomains Determine Function?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$597,682.00
Summary
Blood flow depends on arterial diameter which can change with contraction of muscle in the vessel wall. Calcium influx through one type of channel in the muscle cells has been considered critical, but drugs targeting these channels have not succeeded in treating the arterial spasm which occurs after stroke and head injury. Our study will investigate the existence and role of other calcium channels in brain arteries. Knowledge gained will likely lead to development of new drug targets for stroke.
Physiology Of Acute Coronary Syndromes: Focus On Microvascular Dysfunction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$90,029.00
Summary
Heart attacks,caused by blocked coronary arteries are an important public health concern.There are patients who have a worse outcome due to damage of small blood vessels that cannot be visualised with normal testing. New blood tests and invasive technology are available that can assess these small vessels.We plan to use these techniques to observe the extent of small blood vessel damage in patients with heart attacks and hope this will lead to better understanding of heart attacks and improved t ....Heart attacks,caused by blocked coronary arteries are an important public health concern.There are patients who have a worse outcome due to damage of small blood vessels that cannot be visualised with normal testing. New blood tests and invasive technology are available that can assess these small vessels.We plan to use these techniques to observe the extent of small blood vessel damage in patients with heart attacks and hope this will lead to better understanding of heart attacks and improved treatments.Read moreRead less
Inhibiting Tumour Growth By Targeting EphA3 And Disrupting Tumour Stromal And Vascular Microenvironment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,136.00
Summary
Tumours consist of cancer cells, tumour blood vessels and connective tissue, all of which are different to normal tissues. Many of the cells making up tumour vessels and connective tissue are recruited, during initial growth and subsequent spreading of tumours, from the bone marrow. Our research will examine the presence and function of the EphA3 receptor on these cells during tumour development and assess how our anti-EphA3 antibody inhibits tumour growth by targeting stroma and vasculature.
Sympathetic Control Of Cutaneous Blood Flow And Blood Pressure In Human Spinal Cord Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$242,002.00
Summary
While spinal cord injury can cause devastating changes in the nervous system paralysis and loss of sensation relatively little is known about changes to the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is intimately involved in the ongoing control of blood pressure, blood flow and temperature control. Loss of sympathetic control can occur following spinal cord injury. Interruption of descending pathways can result in partial or complete loss of sympathetic outflow from the thoracol ....While spinal cord injury can cause devastating changes in the nervous system paralysis and loss of sensation relatively little is known about changes to the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is intimately involved in the ongoing control of blood pressure, blood flow and temperature control. Loss of sympathetic control can occur following spinal cord injury. Interruption of descending pathways can result in partial or complete loss of sympathetic outflow from the thoracolumbar segments. Complete decentralization can result in autonomic dysreflexia (autonomic hyperreflexia), in which sensory stimuli originating below the lesion evoke a reflex increase in sympathetic drive to the blood vessels, causing them to constrict. Because of this, blood pressure may rise suddenly and remain at such high levels that stroke and (occassionally) cardiac arrest may occur. This phenomenon, autonomic dysreflexia, is considered a medical emergency. The typical subjective signs of autonomic dysreflexia include a throbbing headache, tingling in the head or nasal congestion; sweating and flushing above the lesion are clinical signs that prompt medical staff to measure blood pressure and to locate the source of sensory irritation (usually a distended bladder or impacted colon, sometimes a pressure sore or ingrown toenail). Commonly, however, subclinical episodes go undetected, and this phenomenon of silent dysreflexia is of increasing concern. This project will develop means of assessing the integrity and state of the sympathetic nervous system below a lesion in patients with spinal cord injury and characterize the firing properties of reflexly activated sympathetic neurones.Read moreRead less