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.
Inadequately controlled blood pressure remains the leading cause of death world wide despite the availability of numerous effective drugs. We have successfully pioneered a catheter-based approach using radiofrequency-energy to disrupt renal nerves and lower blood pressure in patients with resistance to conventional drug treatment. We now aim to test the role of this ground-breaking technology as a potential cure (blood pressure control without antihypertensive medication) for hypertension.
Altered Renal Development Programs Adult Hypertension
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,289.00
Summary
If a mother suffers an adverse condition during pregnancy - such as high blood pressure - the development of the baby is altered, putting it at increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Our study in rabbits examine the role that changes to nerves in the kidney play in the development of high blood pressure later in life and whether it can be prevented via short-term anti-hypertensive treatment in the postnatal period .
Mechanisms Underlying Increased Cardiac And Renal Noradrenaline Spillover During Heart Failure
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$492,681.00
Summary
Heart failure is associated with increased release of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline from sympathetic nerves to the heart and the kidney. The raised levels of this neurotransmitter in the heart and the kidney are harmful and lead to reduced survival in heart failure patients. This project will increase our understanding of the mechanisms that control noradrenaline release and may lead to better treatment paradigms to target the detrimental increase in release in heart failure.
The brain regulates body temperature by a series of mechanisms, including the control of how much blood flows to the skin to lose or retain heat. The project aims to locate the brain temperature receptors and brain pathways that do this, using an animal model, the rat. At present they are not known.