There are currently no validated methods that can reliably predict patients at risk of heart block following their TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation – a highly effective and minimally invasive alternative to open heart surgery for patients with Aortic stenosis. Dr Rao’s research project is aiming to find a way to predict this by studying 205 TAVI patients. All patients will have a loop recorder implanted which allows for accurate continuous remote monitoring of heart rhythms for up to two years following their procedure. This will give the team a detailed insight into predictors, risk factors, timing and even the implications of heart block following TAVI.
When completed this will be the most comprehensive study of its kind worldwide. It should also allow the team to assess the viability for same-day discharge in the local population which would be an Australian first.
This exciting and innovative project will streamline TAVI, improve its effectiveness, improve hospital system congestion and, most importantly, improve patient outcomes.
In August 2024 Dr Rao presented his research at the Australia and New Zealand Endovascular Therapies Meeting (ANZET24) and won the Early Career Researcher Prize. Congratulations, Karan!
“I’m really proud and fortunate to say that my PhD work has been funded by Heart Research Australia and I’m very grateful for the support that I’ve received to carry out my work…I want to take some time out again to say thank you to the donors, in particular, at Heart Research Australia. It’s because of you that we’re able to carry out the work that we do and I can’t wait to share even more exciting results from our work in the up-coming future.” Dr Karan Rao, Cardiologist and PhD at Kolling Institute.