Right dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, commonly known as Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), represents a formidable challenge in cardiovascular medicine, as conventional therapies are commonly ineffective in impeding disease progression and the development of end-stage heart failure. Recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy presents a promising avenue for targeted therapeutic interventions, potentially revolutionising treatment approaches for ARVC patients. Encouraging results from preclinical studies have sparked optimism about the possibility of curing specific subtypes of ARVC in the near future.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCardiac tachyarrhythmia presents a significant health care challenge, causing notable morbidity and mortality. Conventional treatments have limitations and potential risks, resulting in an elevated disease burden. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy holds promise as a potential future treatment option.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic cardiomyopathy worldwide, affecting approximately 1 in 500 individuals. Current therapeutic interventions include lifestyle optimisation, medications, septal reduction therapies, and, rarely, cardiac transplantation. Advances in our understanding of disease-causing genetic variants in HCM and their associated molecular mechanisms have led to the potential for targeted therapeutics and implementation of precision and personalised medicine.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) portends a poor outcome. The HF universal definition has incorporated Heart Failure with mildly reduced Ejection Fraction (HFmrEF). We sought to evaluate the relationship between AF and different HF subtypes, with emphasis on HFmrEF.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Renal dysfunction is a common complication following heart transplantation that may be worsened by the early initiation of calcineurin inhibitors. Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) or basiliximab has been used to delay or avoid calcineurin inhibitors. The most effective strategy for preventing early acute cellular rejection in this context is uncertain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the preferred therapy for patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We reviewed patients undergoing PCI for STEMI over a 6-year period to evaluate changes in procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes given recent changes to STEMI guidelines.
Methods: All patients presenting to the Alfred Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital, between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2015 undergoing PCI for STEMI were identified.
Objectives: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is associated with increased risk of valvular degeneration and ascending aortic aneurysm formation and rupture. We sought to evaluate the roles of endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory activation in modulating these processes.
Methods: We performed a case-control study of patients with BAV together with a multivariate analysis within the BAV group to identify factors associated with: development of significant valvular disease; dilatation of the ascending aorta; differential valve relative to aortic disease.