Clinical Feasibility Study Of Omega-3 PUFA Therapy For The Reduction Of Post-cardiac Surgery Atrial Arrhythmias
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$442,092.00
Summary
The aim of this study is to determine the molecular and clinical impact of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) pre-treatment 2 weeks before cardiac surgery in 150 patients. The outcome of this proposal will indicate proof of molecular concepts, clinical feasibility and specific design elements of a future, large scale, placebo controlled, prospective randomised trial of oral therapy with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Recently, omega-3 PUFA via fish diet was reported to be li ....The aim of this study is to determine the molecular and clinical impact of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) pre-treatment 2 weeks before cardiac surgery in 150 patients. The outcome of this proposal will indicate proof of molecular concepts, clinical feasibility and specific design elements of a future, large scale, placebo controlled, prospective randomised trial of oral therapy with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Recently, omega-3 PUFA via fish diet was reported to be linked to low incidence of AF. The main aim is to provide a cheap and safe preventative therapy against post-operative atrial fibrillation (AF), a key heart rhythm disorder that occurs in at least 1 in 4 patients after heart surgery and increases post-operative complications, limits recovery and increases hospital stay and cost. Biochemical study elements are important to gain valuable insight into the molecular mechanisms (directly in human heart) that underlie post-operative heart rhythm disorder and may delineate new more precise molecular targets for therapy. No previous clinical study has ever examined whether omega-3 PUFA therapy prevents post-operative heart rhythm disorder. Use of 3g-day omega-3 PUFA pre-treatment in the surgical setting has been shown to be safe in a number of small studies, including our own. Our preliminary data indicates that therapy increases heart and blood content of omega-3 PUFA ~2-fold, and reduces the incidence of AF. Post-operative AF is an expensive resource burden in all cardiothoracic surgery units of Australian hospitals and targets key health priorities. Due to the non-patentable nature of omega-3 PUFA, significant industry based support for clinical research is limited. A positive outcome would rapidly pave the way for widespread use in elective surgery. Reduced length of hospital stay, cost-savings, and the increase in productivity as healthy individuals return to their communities would nationally repay the investment many fold.Read moreRead less
Optimizing Implanted Cell Survival Using A Tissue Engineering Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$589,175.00
Summary
Cell therapy and tissue engineering involve the insertion of specific cells into damaged tissues or into a bioraector in a patient's body to generate new replacement tissues. This project seeks to improve two factors associated with inserting cells : 1. The innate survival characteristics of the cells being inserted, and 2. The blood vessel supply at the site of insertion. These techniques will greatly improve the survival of inserted cells.
Alternative Insufflation Gases For Laparoscopic Surgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$227,036.00
Summary
It is now recognised that laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery for cancer can be associated with the spread of tumour to surgical wounds, i.e. port sites. However, whether this is more likely following laparoscopy than conventional open surgery is controversial. Isolated case reports and the recent results of experimental studies suggest that the problem is important. Previous studies suggest that carbon dioxide gas used to inflate the abdomen during laparoscopy may be the specific cause of this probl ....It is now recognised that laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery for cancer can be associated with the spread of tumour to surgical wounds, i.e. port sites. However, whether this is more likely following laparoscopy than conventional open surgery is controversial. Isolated case reports and the recent results of experimental studies suggest that the problem is important. Previous studies suggest that carbon dioxide gas used to inflate the abdomen during laparoscopy may be the specific cause of this problem. A four to fivefold increase in the rate of cancer spread has been shown in previous experiments, and this can be reduced by using an inert gas such as helium. We propose to further investigate this issue using a combination of small and large animal models, and will also commence clinical trials of helium during clinical surgery. These studies aim will determine the gas of choice during laparoscopic surgery. They will also clarify advantages demonstrated for the use of helium in previous animal studies, and better investigate the safety of helium use. If our preliminary findings are supported by these studies, helium (or other inert gases) should be considered for routine use during clinical laparoscopy.Read moreRead less
Reevaluation Of The Anatomy Of The Human Lymphatic Vessel Network
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$539,750.00
Summary
The mode of spread of cancer cells from a primary tumour to other parts of the body is still not completely understood, although the lymphatic system is known to be important in this process. Lymph vessels are tiny transparent channels that form a network over the entire body. They transport tissue fluid to regional lymph glands in the neck, armpits, groin, chest and abdomen where the immune response maybe initiated to combat foreign agents such as bacteria and cancer cells. Current knowledge of ....The mode of spread of cancer cells from a primary tumour to other parts of the body is still not completely understood, although the lymphatic system is known to be important in this process. Lymph vessels are tiny transparent channels that form a network over the entire body. They transport tissue fluid to regional lymph glands in the neck, armpits, groin, chest and abdomen where the immune response maybe initiated to combat foreign agents such as bacteria and cancer cells. Current knowledge of the anatomy of these tiny vessels is based on work done by Sappey more than a century ago. There is an urgent need to update this work as many of his conclusions have been found to be inaccurate. We will use our pioneering methods of microsurgical tissue transfer- now being used worldwide - and our extensive experience in delineating fine channels, to address some of the basic questions about the anatomical pathways of spread of cancer. We hope to discover for example: why cancer on one side of the back can spread to glands in the opposite groin or armpit, thought by Sappey to be impossible; why cancer on one side of the tongue can spread to lymph glands on the opposite side of the neck; and why there is sometimes swelling of the limbs following lymph gland ablation by surgery or radiotherapy of glands in the groin or armpit. Currently it is thought that the only major connections with the venous system are at the base of the neck. Our initial work has shown unexpected connections with blood vessels in the periphery and unreported lymphatic vessel pathways between the skin and deep tissues. The results of this research will give information that will aid in localizing and treating the spread of malignancies and will underlie future treatment of obstructed lymph vessels that are the cause of painful, disabling swelling (lymphoedema) of the limbs.Read moreRead less
The Sentinel Lymph Node Territories Of The Whole Body And Their Clinical Implications: A Human Cadaver Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$602,984.00
Summary
Lymph gland screening with isotopes (Lymphoscintigraphy) has revealed unexpected pathways of cancer spread. This study, using an X-ray injection technique in human cadavers, is re-evaluating the outdated Melways Roadmap of lymph vessel pathways. The aims are to give accurate predictions of cancer spread, explain unusual clinical manifestations and to provide a new method of treating lymphoedema, the incapacitating swelling of limbs that may complicate lymph gland surgery or radiotherapy.