Importance of the transmural distribution of viable myocardium to outcome of patients after revascularization [ 2002 - 2004 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Thomas Marwick (Principal investigator) ,  Dr Frederick Khafagi ,  Dr Julie Mundy ,  Dr Richard Lim ,  Prof Stephen Rose

Brief description After a heart attack, up to 50% of tissue showing reduced function can recover if blood supply is returned to normal with bypass surgery or balloon angioplasty. Because these procedures may be risky in cardiac patients, the investigators have used various imaging approaches including radionuclide and ultrasound techniques to predict regions where function will recover after intervention. The results of these tests may be discordant because they assess separate attributes of cardiac muscle, and selection of patients for intervention on the basis of recovery of regional function ignores some other aspects that may be important. These include avoidance of heart enlargement, improvement of exercise capacity, and avoidance of heart rhythm disturbances and even other heart attacks. In this study, the investigators seek to define the importance of the proportion and site of live (viable) myocardium to the parameters listed above. A new magnetic resonance technique will be used to identify whether radionuclide and ultrasound techniques assess different parts of the heart wall. The relative importance of these sites will be identified by comparing the outcome of patients who have live tissue in the inner half, compared with the outer half of the heart wall. This study will involve 180 patients who will undergo testing with magnetic resonance and radionuclide imaging. A subgroup will undergo dobutamine echocardiography. Their responses over follow-up will be assessed by accurate evaluation of heart size, exercise response, heart rhythm abnormalities and clinical events.

Funding Amount $AUD 268,800.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant