Catheter Based Renal Denervation To Improve Outcomes In Congestive Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$619,194.00
Summary
In heart failure there is a large increase in sympathetic nerve activity that is detrimental to patient outcome, but the factors causing this increased activity are not well defined. There is evidence that renal nerves play a significant role. A novel catheter based technique allows silencing of these nerves. We will test whether this novel technique has the potential to improve the outcomes for patients with heart failure.
Enhancing Erythropoietin Therapy In Ischaemia-reperfusion Injury Of Heart And Kidney
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$361,021.00
Summary
Heart attacks and kidney disease from a lack of blood flow are common causes of morbidity and have poor treatment options. Erythropoietin (epo) is a useful new treatment, but there remain some caveats to its use in humans: eg. it may cause excessive scarring during repair. Use of epo with an anti-inflammatory drug may decrease scarring and provide benefit to long-term health. We plan to carefully define the biomolecular pathways of injury and repair, to better plan this therapy for human use.
A Novel Device To Improve Renal Blood Flow In Cardiorenal Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$198,900.00
Summary
The aim of this project is to assist in the development of a novel device to treat poor delivery of blood to the kidneys in conditions such as heart muscle weakness (chronic heart failure, CHF). Specifically we aim to build a prototype and test the device in a relevant animal model of CHF. Chronic heart failure is a major public health problem affecting >10% of the adult population over the age of 60 years. It is associated with high morbidity, mortality, frequent hospitalisation and major co ....The aim of this project is to assist in the development of a novel device to treat poor delivery of blood to the kidneys in conditions such as heart muscle weakness (chronic heart failure, CHF). Specifically we aim to build a prototype and test the device in a relevant animal model of CHF. Chronic heart failure is a major public health problem affecting >10% of the adult population over the age of 60 years. It is associated with high morbidity, mortality, frequent hospitalisation and major cost burden on the public health system. Weak heart muscle results in poor delivery of blood to the kidneys. Poor delivery to the kidneys activates circulating hormones which in turn further impair cardiac function by adverse effects on the heart. We have developed and patented a novel catheter based system for improvement of renal function via a purpose built device. Proof-of-concept studies have shown that the device should improve kidney blood flow in the setting of CHF. Given the huge public health problem of heart failure and the importance of the kidney in this setting, the commercial potential for a simple device that can be positioned via a catheter-based approach, permanently implanted is large. The device is currently being constructed by the Monash University Department of Engineering where expertise exists with regard to biomedical devices and materials engineering. A series of proof-of-concept studies will then be performed in sheep, as the vasculature of the sheep roughly approximates the dimensions of man. Sheep with CHF will have the device inserted percutaneously into the aorta. Measurements will be made of renal artery flow, relevant circulatory hormones and ultrasound of the heart at baseline (pre-deployment) and following deployment. We believe the above studies (should they be successful) will be sufficient to constitute definitive proof-of-concept and thus allow the device to be commercialised, most likely by a licensing arrangement with a device company.Read moreRead less
Resistant Hypertension: Causes, Consequences, And Novel Therapeutic Approaches
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$713,517.00
Summary
Two thirds of all strokes and half of all coronary artery disease world-wide can be attributed to uncontrolled blood pressure. Patients with resistant hypertension are at specifically high risk. While the exact reasons remain obscure, work from my group suggests that sympathetic nervous system activation represents a common pathway. Based on these findings the ultimate goal of my research program is to develop novel and more effective treatment strategies for resistant hypertension.
Mechanisms Underlying The Contribution Of Uremic Toxins To Cardiorenal Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,533.00
Summary
Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is an umbrella term that defines disorders of the heart and kidneys whereby “acute or chronic dysfunction in one organ may induce acute or chronic dysfunction of the other”. We have demonstrated a significant association between heart and kidney fibrosis (scarring) and levels of a uremic toxin called indoxyl sulphate (IS), in relevant animal models and that blockade of production of this toxin reduces cardiac fibrosis. This project aims to explore this association.
Impact Of Renal Transplantation On Cardiac Arrhythmia Burden And Type And Risk Of Sudden Cardiac Death In Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,608.00
Summary
Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease are at high risk of sudden death. We aim to characterise the impact of renal transplantation on arrhythmia profile. This has the capacity to impact our understanding of arrhythmia type and mechanism in renal failure.
Prognostic Markers Of Cardiovascular Risk In Chronic Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$104,132.00
Summary
One in three Australians are at risk of chronic kidney disease; however, these patients are more likely to die of heart disease. There is a need to identify markers in kidney failure patients to detect heart disease early. Unmasking cardiac risk factors by using change in cardiac biomarkers and echocardiographic parameters with exercise is novel. This will help the physician to diagnose _subclinical� cardiovascular dysfunction early, hence preventing cardiovascular mortality by institution of ap ....One in three Australians are at risk of chronic kidney disease; however, these patients are more likely to die of heart disease. There is a need to identify markers in kidney failure patients to detect heart disease early. Unmasking cardiac risk factors by using change in cardiac biomarkers and echocardiographic parameters with exercise is novel. This will help the physician to diagnose _subclinical� cardiovascular dysfunction early, hence preventing cardiovascular mortality by institution of appropriate therapies.Read moreRead less
Vascular And Neurogenic Determinants Of Hypertension In Chronic Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$508,142.00
Summary
You are as old as your arteries, and people with kidney disease have arteries that age fast. They also have overactive sympathetic nerves, and it is not clear if the blood vessels or nerves are responsible for the high blood pressure that puts strain on the heart and other organs of these patients. We will use an animal model to determine if therapy for hypertension reduces the stiffness of blood vessels or elevated nerve activity. Our results will enable better treatments for kidney failure.
Metabolic disorders related to the modern lifestyle, including inactivity, obesity, the metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes, are responsible for a major proportion of the disease burden in Australia. Current treatment strategies are expensive and because they are directed at end-organ damage (heart failure, heart attacks etc), rather ineffective. This multispecialty, multidisciplinary group will undertake a series of unique studies aimed at understanding and preventing early cardiovascular c ....Metabolic disorders related to the modern lifestyle, including inactivity, obesity, the metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes, are responsible for a major proportion of the disease burden in Australia. Current treatment strategies are expensive and because they are directed at end-organ damage (heart failure, heart attacks etc), rather ineffective. This multispecialty, multidisciplinary group will undertake a series of unique studies aimed at understanding and preventing early cardiovascular complications of these metabolic conditions. Sensitive new cardiovascular imaging techniques will be used to detect preclinical abnormalities in the structure, function and metabolism of the heart and vasculature, facilitating the development of new strategies of exercise and lifestyle intervention to prevent these complications. While built on the successful current CCRE in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, including multidisciplinary clinical research training, the new application involves major new directions in the interface between the liver and metabolic syndrome, and strategies for community-based prevention programs. The nursing intervention model, which will focus on workforce models of care, is especially important. The results of this study will provide information to address the need for different nursing models sought by the recent Productivity Commission Report.Read moreRead less
A Non-invasive Fluid Status Monitoring Device For Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,715.00
Summary
Both acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are characterised by fluid overload. A device to detect this fluid overload in patients at an early stage has the potential to reduce the need for hospitalisation and initiate more timely and aggressive intervention. A prototype device has already been developed and our aim is to further improve on this device and advance to a commercial product.