The Role Of Coronary Artery Baroreceptors In Cardiopulmonary Reflexes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$361,018.00
Summary
The blood vessels and heart contain sensors that report on the state of the circulation to the brain. Blood vessel sensors send information about the level of blood pressure to the brain, and the brain coordinates appropriate changes in the activity of the heart and blood vessels so that blood pressure stays within narrow limits and blood flow to the brain is protected. Heart sensors send information to the brain about pressures in the heart and the release of chemicals during heart pain. Specia ....The blood vessels and heart contain sensors that report on the state of the circulation to the brain. Blood vessel sensors send information about the level of blood pressure to the brain, and the brain coordinates appropriate changes in the activity of the heart and blood vessels so that blood pressure stays within narrow limits and blood flow to the brain is protected. Heart sensors send information to the brain about pressures in the heart and the release of chemicals during heart pain. Specialized pressure receptors, like the receptors on blood vessels, have recently been reported to exist on the main blood vessels in the heart and, although not extensively studied, likely send information to the brain to participate in blood pressure regulation and to protect the supply of blood to the heart. These heart receptors normally work in concert with, and overshadowed by, the blood vessel receptors. In cardiovascular disease this concerted and complimentary interaction may be lost, resulting in contradictory signals being sent to the brain and inappropriate regulatory responses occurring. To study the functions of these heart receptors we will compare the number and types of nerves going to the heart receptors with the nerves that go to the blood vessel receptors to tell us whether their functions are likely to be similar. We will activate the heart receptors in healthy conscious animals to see what happens to blood pressure, heart rate, breathing patterns and blood flow to different organs. Finally we will use brain mapping techniques to see which brain cells are excited when the heart receptors are excited, and brain cell recording techniques to determine how individual brain cells respond to heart or vessel information. These studies will provide important new information about heart sensors, and help us understand the role these sensors have in heart disease or heart attack. This knowledge will aid the development of effective new ways of treating heart disease.Read moreRead less
Renal Artery Denervation Performed With Noncontact Circumferential Endovascular Ablation Using A Novel Microwave Catheter
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$90,967.00
Summary
High blood pressure is a common medical condition leading to death and disability. Some people with high blood pressure do not respond to medical treatment due to abnormal signals from the kidneys that tell the body to increase the blood pressure. We have designed a microwave catheter that can be placed inside the kidney artery and used to heat the kidney nerves around it to stop the relay of these messages. This will lower blood pressure for people who cannot control it with medications alone.
Microvascular Function And Outcome In Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$79,514.00
Summary
Damage to the small vessels of the heart is a hallmark of heart attacks. Furthermore, small vessel dysfunction (MVD) is associated with a worse prognosis even in the presence of an unblocked major coronary artery following a heart attack. Using novel invasive assessments, we aim to analyse the prevalence and clinical predictors of MVD, assess the impact of MVD on short and long-term outcome after heart attack and address the impact of new treatments on MVD and heart muscle recovery.
The Access Project - Assessment Of Coronary Artery Disease Using CT Effectively For Stable Symptoms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$754,369.00
Summary
Invasive Coronary Angiography (ICA) provides x-ray visualisation of coronary disease (CAD) that is essential for coronary surgery/balloon angioplasty. However many patients undergo this procedure without requiring these therapies despite the associated severe complications. The ACCESS Project screens patients scheduled for ICA, identifying those unlikely to have CAD and referring them for non-invasive CT angiography. This strategy reduces procedure complications and result in major cost savings.