Dr Hari Sritharan has been researching the cardiovascular outcomes of COVID-19 and the impact of vaccination in Australia, using comprehensive data and advanced analytical techniques. His research aims to inform clinical practice, enhance patient outcomes, and guide policy-making beyond the pandemic.
Lead Researcher: Dr Nicola Giannotti
Dr Giannotti’s research aims to use the Ultra-High Sensitivity Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan to improve the assessment and diagnosis of high-risk atherosclerotic plaque responsible for cardiovascular events. It will allow functional whole-body imaging while exposing the patient to significantly less radiation and a shorter scan time.
This study explores the association between calcific aortic stenosis (AS) and compromised atrioventricular (AV) conduction. AS-induced calcium infiltration within the atrioventricular-His pathway is hypothesised to prolong AV conduction, potentially predisposing individuals to bradyarrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. Click Here to read Dr. Rao’s published article ‘The influence of calcific aortic stenosis on atrioventricular conduction: a
Aortic stenosis is a condition where the aortic valve narrows, restricting blood flow from the heart to the body. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation, or TAVI, is a minimally invasive procedure that improves the blood flow in your heart by replacing the diseased valve with a new one using a catheter, offering a safer and quicker
Dr Ekmejian has been investigating the relationship between plaque morphology, plaque geometry, and invasive coronary hemodynamics. The study includes patients being investigated for coronary disease, who were identified to have moderate (50-75%) narrowing of the arteries. By assessing their hemodynamics using a coronary pressure wire and an OCT (imaging technique) assessment of the plaque, it
Professor Rasmussen and his team have been looking at repurposing Beta3 Adrenergic receptor agonists, a drug already FDA-approved for the treatment of overactive bladders, as a treatment that could offer improved care of ‘high-risk’ pregnancies with pre-eclampsia and/or IUGR. It’s hoped that this will enhance future maternal cardiovascular health.
Delayed high-grade atrioventricular block is a prevalent and potentially serious complication associated with TAVI
Professor Figtree and her team have developed a platform to discover and validate blood markers that will significantly improve heart attack risk prediction. This takes us closer to a simple blood test that could identify heart attack risk 10-15 years before someone experiences one.
In a world-first, Dr Carmine Gentile and his team of researchers have demonstrated that bio-engineered heart tissues can safely and effectively help patients recover from the damage caused by an extensive heart attack. The new technology creates personalised ‘bio-inks’ made of a patient’s own stem cells. The ‘bio-inks’ are then used to 3D-print cardiac tissues
Dr Ashleigh Dind’s latest research is focused on better understanding the differences between myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and myocardial infarction (commonly known as a heart attack). For these conditions, it is essential correct diagnosis is made swiftly, as urgent intervention is required and treatment differs. Dr Ashleigh Dind is part of a research
New research by Dr Carmine Gentile and his team has helped observe and understand how the molecules change following a heart attack. This world first research has helped identify which molecules change following a heart attack, giving them new approaches to investigate how to prevent and treat the irreversible damages caused by a heart attack which currently, is irreversible.
Heart attack awareness for over-35s vital to mitigating serious cardiac risk during exercise Professor Geoffrey Tofler and his team have just published a new study assessing the knowledge and confidence in recognising cardiac symptoms amongst players of competitive to social football games. This latest research found that almost half of over-35s were not confident in
Dr Staub and Professor Kluckow are investigating hypertension and problems associated with blood vessels in babies currently being born pre-term, to try to understand what is causing these teens and young adults born prematurely to suffer these cardiac risk factors at such a younger age than those born at term.
Dr Chris Roche, a cardiac surgical trainee funded by HROz since 2019, has brought surgical skills and insights to the research team supervised by Dr Carmine Gentile – a bioprinting expert working towards producing heart patches made of special ‘bio-ink’. Dr Roche has been working on a spin-off project to his PhD where he has designed and prototyped
The SWEDEHEART study found SMuRF-less patients have higher in-hospital mortality compared with traditional high-risk individuals. This is particularly evident in women.
A new study in the Department of Neonatology at Royal North Shore Hospital tracks the development of small blood vessels and blood pressure of premature babies. Over the next three years, approximately 80 preterm and term babies will be followed from birth at different weeks of gestation until age 1. New techniques of ultrasound imaging will be used to trace the blood vessels in the kidneys and aorta, as well as new measurements of blood pressure and kidney function. We hope insights from this study shed light onto the cardiovascular consequences of premature birth. Ultimately, increased knowledge of the contributing factors toward hypertension will help identify the highest risk groups and allow early intervention to prevent later heart disease.
Dr Allahwala found through pilot studies that some patients with a CTO can develop and mature new arteries, called collaterals. These collaterals supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen, thereby preventing a heart attack. The reasons and mechanisms why some people can develop new arteries and others can’t is unclear. The effect collaterals have on blood pressure and flow within the coronary vessels is also unknown.
This world-first study has shown that using common medication in a novel way, can help lower the risk of dying from a ‘broken heart’ during bereavement.
In a world first, Dr Carmine Gentile’s team are studying how to 3D bioprint ‘mini hearts’ from patients-derived stem cells to study heart attacks in test tubes.
Professor Ugander and his team are developing state-of-the-art cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging to better understand, diagnose and evaluate treatment in heart failure. The results of this research will lead to more accurate diagnostic methods, earlier detection, earlier treatment and decreased morbidity and mortality from heart failure.
Professor Tofler has been working on a novel approach to smoking cessation, supported by a grant from Heart Research Australia and SPARK innovation award. This work uses video to create a simulated teachable moment and builds on the clinical observation that many smokers can stop smoking once they have experienced a heart attack. The goal
Dr Hamilton is directly responsible for performing many of the experiments that are conducted within Prof Rasmussen’s laboratory as well as providing a supervisory role to both students and research assistants within the lab. Her role as Laboratory Manager requires that she balances the scientific needs of the staff within the Rasmussen laboratory, with the
Professor Figtree’s Laboratory strives to understand the way reactive oxygen species affect disease in the heart and blood vessels. Professor Figtree and her team have identified a novel protein that plays a pivotal role in protecting the cardiovascular system from these oxidative stresses and loss of this protein exacerbates disease progression. They are now dissecting
Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Australia. Dr Hanson is a medical doctor embarking on a PhD in basic and translational cardiovascular research. With an overall aim of improving the identification and treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease, his PhD project encompasses two interrelated themes. Circulating biomarkers of oxidative stress
Dr Bubb is currently investigating unknown causes and potential treatment options for pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the arteries in the lungs). This disease has a 100% mortality rate, with up to 50% of patients dying within 5 years of diagnosis. It is a rare disease, but nevertheless is devastating for those who
Lead Researcher: Dr Paul Bonnitcha Hardening of the arteries and the formation of fatty plaques lining them are major contributors to strokes, heart attacks and peripheral vascular disease. Currently there is no way of knowing which plaques are most likely to rupture and cause problems. Recent findings indicate that plaque instability may be related to
Lead Researcher: Prof Martin Kluckow The first results of this trial were published in the New England Journal of Medicine showing that delayed cord clamping can reduce mortality in preterm infants and is safe to apply. The follow up of the trial is ongoing and Professor Kluckow and his team will continue to track these
Lead Researcher: Prof Martin Kluckow This is a pilot randomized control trial (RCT) of active medical treatment vs supportive care alone of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in babies born before 28 weeks of pregnancy. This placebo controlled clinical trial was the first time targeted early treatment of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was utilised
Lead Researcher: Dr Anthony Ashton Most pregnancies end with the birth of a healthy baby to a healthy mother; however, some pregnancies end in unforeseen and currently untreatable complications. Unfortunately, the signs that something is wrong in these pregnancies appear to be “normal” for most women at the end of pregnancy. Headaches, swelling and difficulty
Lead Researchers: Prof Helge Rasmussen, Dr Chia-Chi Liu, Dr Elisha Hamilton Heart failure is the leading cause of disability and death in the world. While many drugs are used in treatment, this innovative research has discovered that a new group of drugs, β3-AR agonists (one of which is already used as a treatment for an
Lead Researchers: Prof Geoff Tofler and A/Prof Thomas Buckley Increasing evidence shows that heart attacks in some instances can be triggered by external factors such as heavy physical exertion, acute emotional stress, heavy fatty meals, and respiratory infection. For instance, the group published findings that respiratory infection acutely increases the relative risk of heart attack