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Cardiology Research

The Department of Cardiology at Concord Hospital undertakes a wide range of research in all areas of cardiovascular medicine.

We undertake studies using data from our own patients and from patients around the country that allow us to identify ways of improving patient care. Patients with heart attacks, angina, fluid build-up related to the heart (heart failure), clots in the lungs, and heart rhythm disturbances are included in these studies.

Our Atherosclerosis and Vascular Biology laboratory research at the ANZAC Research Institute includes molecular research into how cells accumulate cholesterol to block arteries, how we can clear this cholesterol, and how clots form to cause heart attacks. 

Our research into the control of the microcirculation in patients having angiograms is studying how small blood vessels contribute to the blood supply of the heart. 

CONCORDANCE (ANZAC Research Institute)
A national registry for coronary care

The CONCORDANCE registry has been designed within a comparative effectiveness research (CER) framework to collect and report data from hospitals located in geographically diverse regions of Australia. Information including patient demographics, presenting characteristics, past medical history, in-hospital management and outcomes at six months and two years are entered into a web-based database using an electronic clinical record form (eCRF). Individual hospital information is returned to the sites in a real time confidential report detailing information on key performance indicator (KPI) process measures and outcomes benchmarked against the aggregated study cohort.

The CONCORDANCE registry is a clinician-driven initiative describing clinical care for ACS patients admitted to Australian hospitals. The registry generates high quality data which is fed back to clinicians, and key stakeholders in ACS care. Using a CER approach, the registry describes the translation of randomised trial evidence into practice and provides insights into strategies that could improve care and ultimately patient outcomes.

Our Research Team

Professor David Brieger Head of Department
Professor Leonard Kritharides Clinician researcher
Associate Professor Andrew Sindone Clinician researcher
Associate Professor Andy Yong Clinician researcher
Dr Austin Chin Chwan Ng Clinician researcher
Dr Karice Hyun Senior Statistician
Dr Erdahl Teber Data Manager
Danica Watson Research Staff
Su Swe Research Staff
Fatima Icao Research Staff
Natasha Mitchell Research Staff

Selected Grants

Amount awarded Grant and project details
$4,786,124.38 MRFF Cardiovascular Health Mission 2024, 2025-2030
AUS HEARTS: Implementing the evidence-based cardiovascular risk reduction package ‘HEARTS’ in regional and remote Australia.
Investigators: Chapman N, Stevens J, Moran A, Picone D, Jones D, DiPette D, Atkins E, Hyun K, Mishra SR, Gnanenthiran S, Sanford C, Schutte A, McCormack B, Hawke C, Halcomb E, Peterson G, Miranda J.
$2,464,230.65 MRFF Cardiovascular Health Mission 2023, 2024-2029
LOTUS Trial: LOw dose anti-hypertensive combinations To improve stroke oUtcomeS. 
Investigators: Gnanenthiran S, Anderson C, Atkins E, Beh B, Booth B, Butcher K, Carcel C, Cranefield J, Freed R, Gianacas C, Kleinig T, Liu HM, Nelson M, Rodgers A, Schutte A.
$5,000,000 NHMRC Synergy Grant, 2024-2028
Solving Australia’s Hypertension Treatment Problem
Investigators: Schutte A, Rodgers A, Bonner C, Schlaich M, Gnanenthiran S, Hespe C, Atkins E, Gnjidic D, Halcomb E, Stocks N
$980,000 NSW Cardiovascular Collaborative, 2023-2027
Implementing novel approaches to transform blood pressure control
Investigator: Gnanenthiran S (CIA)
$10,000,000 Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) initiative, 2022-2025
Australian Stroke and Heart Research Accelerator (ASHRA)
Investigators: Chow C (CIA), Kritharides L (CI)
$2,727,508 NHMRC, 2022-2025
Enhancing the electronic Medical record (eMR) to BolsteR Acute Coronary syndromE care (The EMBRACE Project)
Investigator: Brieger D
$894,507 Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), 2022-2025
QUICR
Investigators: Gallagher R (CIA), Brieger D (CID)
$782,008 Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), 2022-2025
Ethnicity and CVD Care and outcomes in NSW
Investigators: Stanaway F (CIA), Kritharides L (CIC)
$1,816,175 Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), 2020-2027
Anticoagulation for Stroke Prevention In patients with Recent Episodes of perioperative Atrial Fibrillation after noncardiac surgery - The ASPIRE-AF trial
Investigators: Chow C, Hillis G, Brieger D, Sverdlov A, Atherton J, Thomas L, Lindley R, Ferguson C, Devereaux PJ, Conen D

Our Publications

2024

Celler BG, Yong A, Rubenis I, Butlin M, Argha A, Rehan R, Avolio A. Comparison of cuff inflation and cuff deflation brachial sphygmomanometry with intra-arterial blood pressure as reference. J Hypertens. 2024 Jun 1;42(6):968-976. doi: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000003659. Epub 2024 Jan 15.
Celler BG, Yong A, Rubenis I, Butlin M, Argha A, Rehan R, Avolio A. Accurate detection of Korotkoff sounds reveals large discrepancy between intra-arterial systolic pressure and simultaneous noninvasive measurement of blood pressure with brachial cuff sphygmomanometry. J Hypertens. 2024 May 1;42(5):873-882. doi: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000003651. Epub 2024 Jan 8.
Nedkoff L, Greenland M, Hyun K, Htun JP, Redfern J, Stiles S, Sanfilippo F, Briffa T, Chew DP, Brieger D. Sex- and Age-Specific Differences in Risk Profiles and Early Outcomes in Adults With Acute Coronary Syndromes. Heart Lung Circ. 2024 Mar;33(3):332-341. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2023.11.016. Epub 2024 Feb 7.
Welsh JA, Goberdhan DCI, O'Driscoll L, Buzas EI, Blenkiron C, Bussolati B, Cai H, Di Vizio D, Driedonks TAP, Erdbrügger U, Falcon-Perez JM, Fu QL, Hill AF, Lenassi M, Lim SK, Mahoney MG, Mohanty S, Möller A, Nieuwland R, Ochiya T, Sahoo S, Torrecilhas AC, Zheng L, Zijlstra A, Abuelreich S, Bagabas R, Bergese P, Bridges EM, Brucale M, Burger D, Carney RP, Cocucci E, Crescitelli R, Hanser E, Harris AL, Haughey NJ, Hendrix A, Ivanov AR, Jovanovic-Talisman T, Kruh-Garcia NA, Ku'ulei-Lyn Faustino V, Kyburz D, Lässer C, Lennon KM, Lötvall J, Maddox AL, Martens-Uzunova ES, Mizenko RR, Newman LA, Ridolfi A, Rohde E, Rojalin T, Rowland A, Saftics A, Sandau US, Saugstad JA, Shekari F, Swift S, Ter-Ovanesyan D, Tosar JP, Useckaite Z, Valle F, Varga Z, van der Pol E, van Herwijnen MJC, Wauben MHM, Wehman AM, Williams S, Zendrini A, Zimmerman AJ; MISEV Consortium; Théry C, Witwer KW. Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles (MISEV2023): From basic to advanced approaches. J Extracell Vesicles. 2024 Feb;13(2):e12404. doi: 10.1002/jev2.12404. Erratum in: J Extracell Vesicles. 2024 May;13(5):e12451. doi: 10.1002/jev2.12451.
Kwan TN, Brieger D, Chow V, Ng ACT, Kwan G, Hyun K, Sy R, Kritharides L, Ng ACC. Healthcare exposures and associated risk of endocarditis after open-heart cardiac valve surgery. BMC Med. 2024 Feb 8;22(1):61. doi: 10.1186/s12916-024-03279-1.
Quiroz JC, Brieger D, Jorm LR, Sy RW, Hsu B, Gallego B. Predicting Adverse Outcomes Following Catheter Ablation Treatment for Atrial Flutter/Fibrillation. Heart Lung Circ. 2024 Apr;33(4):470-478. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2023.12.016. Epub 2024 Feb 15.
Rodgers A, Salam A, Cushman W, de Silva A, Di Tanna GL, Gnanenthiran SR, Grobbee D, Narkiewicz K, Ojji D, Oparil S, Poulter N, Schlaich MP, Schutte AE, Spiering W, Williams B, Wright JT Jr, Whelton P. Rationale for a New Low-Dose Triple Single Pill Combination for the Treatment of Hypertension. Glob Heart. 2024 Feb 14;19(1):18. doi: 10.5334/gh.1283.
Haghdoost F, Gnanenthiran SR, Shan S, Kaistha P, Huang L, Tian M, Liu Y, Yin X, Zhang X, Hao Z, Wu Y, Di Tanna GL, Neal B, Rodgers A. The effect of salt substitution on frequency and severity of headache: results from the SSaSS cluster-randomised controlled trial of 20,995 participants. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2024 May;78(5):401-406. doi: 10.1038/s41430-024-01419-7. Epub 2024 Feb 24.
Hsu AC, Vijayarajan V, Cheng YY, Shu MWS, Hyun K, Chow V, Brieger D, Kritharides L, Ng ACC. Mortality outcomes in 35,433 patients admitted for acute haemorrhagic stroke in Australia: A population-linkage study. Int J Cardiol Cardiovasc Risk Prev. 2024 Mar 20;21:200258. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcrp.2024.200258.
Celler BG, Yong A, Rubenis I, Butlin M, Argha A, Rehan R, Avolio A. Evaluation of the oscillometric method for noninvasive blood pressure measurement during cuff deflation and cuff inflation with reference to intra-arterial blood pressure. J Hypertens. 2024 Jul 1;42(7):1235-1247. doi: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000003719. Epub 2024 Mar 13.
Celler BG, Yong A, Rubenis I, Butlin M, Argha A, Rehan R, Avolio A. Validation of oscillometric ratio and maximum gradient methods for non-invasive blood pressure measurement with intra-arterial blood pressure measurements as reference. J Hypertens. 2024 Jun 1;42(6):1075-1085. doi: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000003698. Epub 2024 Mar 13.
Lin J, de Oliveira Costa J, Pearson SA, Buckley NA, Brieger D, Schutte AE, Schaffer AL, Falster MO. Impact of coordinated care on adherence to antihypertensive medicines among adults experiencing polypharmacy in Australia. J Hypertens. 2024 Jul 1;42(7):1248-1255. doi: 10.1097/HJH.0000000000003721. Epub 2024 Mar 22.
Harvey G, Chow V, Rubenis I, Brieger D, Kritharides L, Ng ACC. Morbidity and mortality outcomes of patients requiring isolated tricuspid valve surgery: a retrospective cohort study of 537 patients in New South Wales between 2002 and 2018. BMJ Open. 2024 May 7;14(5):e080804. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080804.
Nishi T, Murai T, Waseda K, Hirohata A, Yong ASC, Ng MKC, Amano T, Barbato E, Kakuta T, Fearon WF. Prognostic Value of Microvascular Resistance Reserve Measured Immediately After PCI in Stable Coronary Artery Disease. Circ Cardiovasc Interv. 2024 Jun;17(6):e013728. doi: 10.1161/CIRCINTERVENTIONS.123.013728. Epub 2024 May 10.
Sritharan HP, Bhatia KS, van Gaal W, Kritharides L, Chow CK, Bhindi R. Cardiovascular outcomes for people hospitalised with COVID-19 in Australia, and the effect of vaccination: an observational cohort study. Med J Aust. 2024 Jun 3;220(10):517-522. doi: 10.5694/mja2.52307. Epub 2024 May 13.
Collet C, Munhoz D, Mizukami T, Sonck J, Matsuo H, Shinke T, Ando H, Ko B, Biscaglia S, Rivero F, Engstrøm T, Arslani K, Leone AM, van Nunen LX, Fearon WF, Christiansen EH, Fournier S, Desta L, Yong A, Adjedj J, Escaned J, Nakayama M, Eftekhari A, Zimmermann FM, Sakai K, Storozhenko T, da Costa BR, Campo G, West NEJ, De Potter T, Heggermont W, Buytaert D, Bartunek J, Berry C, Collison D, Johnson T, Amano T, Perera D, Jeremias A, Ali Z, Pijls NHJ, De Bruyne B, Johnson NP. Influence of Pathophysiologic Patterns of Coronary Artery Disease on Immediate Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Outcomes. Circulation. 2024 Aug 20;150(8):586-597. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.069450. Epub 2024 May 14.
Rehan R, Wong CCY, Weaver J, Chan W, Tremmel JA, Fearon WF, Ng MKC, Yong ASC. Multivessel Coronary Function Testing Increases Diagnostic Yield in Patients With Angina and Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2024 May 13;17(9):1091-1102. doi: 10.1016/j.jcin.2024.03.007.
Brieger D, Freedman B. Taking the sex out of atrial fibrillation. Eur Heart J. 2024 May 27;45(20):1828-1830. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehae256.
Li S, Tan I, Atkins E, Schutte AE, Gnanenthiran SR. The Pathophysiology, Prognosis and Treatment of Hypertension in Females from Pregnancy to Post-menopause: A Review. Curr Heart Fail Rep. 2024 Aug;21(4):322-336. doi: 10.1007/s11897-024-00672-y. Epub 2024 Jun 11.
Candelaria D, Redfern J, O'Neil A, Brieger D, Clark RA, Briffa T, Bauman A, Hyun K, Cunich M, Figtree GA, Cartledge S, Gallagher R. Data-driven collaborative QUality improvement in Cardiac Rehabilitation (QUICR) to increase program completion: protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2024 Jun 14;24(1):302. doi: 10.1186/s12872-024-03971-3.
Gnanenthiran SR, Barnhart M, Tan I, Zeng M, O'Hagan E, Gianacas C, Chow C, Schlaich M, Rodgers A, Schutte AE. Shop-to-Stop Hypertension: A multicenter cluster-randomized controlled trial protocol to improve screening and text message follow-up of adults with high blood pressure at health kiosks in hardware retail stores. Contemp Clin Trials. 2024 Aug;143:107610. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2024.107610. Epub 2024 Jun 13.
Wang J, Kockx M, Bolek M, Lambert T, Sullivan D, Chow V, Kritharides L. Triglyceride-rich lipoprotein, remnant cholesterol, and apolipoproteins CII, CIII, and E in patients with schizophrenia. J Lipid Res. 2024 Jul;65(7):100577. doi: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100577. Epub 2024 Jun 13.
Rehan R, Virk S, Wong CCY, Passam F, Layland J, Keech A, Yong A, White HD, Fearon W, Ng M. Intracoronary thrombolysis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Heart. 2024 Jul 10;110(15):988-996. doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2024-324078.
Rehan R, Wong CCY, Cooke C, Weaver J, Jain P, Adams M, Ng MKC, Yong ASC. Prevalence of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders in Patients With Angina and Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries: A Sydney Experience. Heart Lung Circ. 2024 Sep;33(9):1297-1306. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2024.02.020. Epub 2024 Jun 25.
Rehan R, Wong CCY, Weaver J, Jain P, Adams M, Tremmel JA, Ng MKC, Yong ASC. Usefulness of temporary pacemaker during acetylcholine provocation testing. Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc. 2024 Jun 12;53:101440. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2024.101440.
Li W, Gnanenthiran SR, Schutte AE, Tan I. Blood pressure time at target and its prognostic value for cardiovascular outcomes: a scoping review. Hypertens Res. 2024 Sep;47(9):2337-2350. doi: 10.1038/s41440-024-01798-1. Epub 2024 Jul 16.
Carnagarin R, Leigh J, Tan I, Gnanenthiran S, Yang J, Beaney T, Clarke J, Poulter NR, Brockman D, Schlaich MP. May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Australia. Eur Heart J Suppl. 2024 Jul 24;26(Suppl 3):iii14-iii16. doi: 10.1093/eurheartjsupp/suae042.
Collet C, Yong A, Munhoz D, Akasaka T, Berry C, Blair JEA, Collison D, Engstrøm T, Escaned J, Fearon WF, Ford T, Gori T, Koo BK, Low AF, Miner S, Ng MKC, Mizukami T, Shimokawa H, Smilowitz NR, Sutton NR, Svanerud J, Tremmel JA, Warisawa T, West NEJ, Ali ZA. A Systematic Approach to the Evaluation of the Coronary Microcirculation Using Bolus Thermodilution: CATH CMD. J Soc Cardiovasc Angiogr Interv. 2024 Apr 3;3(7):101934. doi: 10.1016/j.jscai.2024.101934.
Tanner R, Krishnamoorthy P, Tang GHL, Lerakis S, Anastasius M, Hooda A, Dangas GD, Sharma SK, Kini AS, Khera S. Computed Tomography Geometry of Extremely Undersized SAPIEN 3 Transcatheter Aortic Valves With Balloon Overfilling. J Soc Cardiovasc Angiogr Interv. 2024 Apr 10;3(8):101937. doi: 10.1016/j.jscai.2024.101937. 
Ravindran J, Brieger D. Clinical perspectives: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Intern Med J. 2024 Nov;54(11):1785-1795. doi: 10.1111/imj.16493. Epub 2024 Sep 9.
Pennings GJ. NLRP3: More than an Inflammasome? Thromb Haemost. 2024 Dec;124(12):1114-1116. doi: 10.1055/a-2413-4672. Epub 2024 Sep 11.
Saunders SL, Chaudhri K, McOrist NS, Gladysz K, Gnanenthiran SR, Shalaby G. Do bisphosphonates and RANKL inhibitors alter the progression of coronary artery calcification? A systematic review. BMJ Open. 2024 Sep 25;14(9):e084516. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-084516.
Ayoub C, Scalia IG, Anavekar NS, Arsanjani R, Jokerst CE, Chow BJW, Kritharides L. Computed Tomography Evaluation of Coronary Atherosclerosis: The Road Travelled, and What Lies Ahead. Diagnostics (Basel). 2024 Sep 23;14(18):2096. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics14182096.
Rodgers A, Salam A, Schutte AE, Cushman WC, de Silva HA, Di Tanna GL, Grobbee DE, Narkiewicz K, Ojji DB, Poulter NR, Schlaich MP, Oparil S, Spiering W, Williams B, Wright JT Jr, Lakshman P, Uluwattage W, Hay P, Pereira T, Amarasena N, Ranasinghe G, Gianacas C, Shanthakumar M, Liu X, Wang N, Gnanenthiran SR, Whelton PK; GMRx2 Investigators. Efficacy and safety of a novel low-dose triple single-pill combination of telmisartan, amlodipine and indapamide, compared with dual combinations for treatment of hypertension: a randomised, double-blind, active-controlled, international clinical trial. Lancet. 2024 Oct 19;404(10462):1536-1546. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01744-6.
Stewart RAH, Robledo KP, Tonkin AM, Keech A, Kritharides L, Marschner I, Janus E, Thompson PL, Watts GF, Zeller T, White HD, Simes J. Plasma Protein Biomarkers and Long-Term Cardiovascular Mortality Risk in Patients With Chronic Coronary Heart Disease. J Am Heart Assoc. 2024 Nov 5;13(21):e034367. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.123.034367. Epub 2024 Oct 25.
Isbister JC, Strocchi M, Riedy M, Yeates L, Gray B, Singer ES, Bagnall RD, Ingles J, Raju H, Semsarian C, Niederer SA, Sy RW. Noninvasive assessment of hydroquinidine effect in Brugada syndrome (QUIET BrS). Heart Rhythm. 2024 Dec 14:S1547-5271(24)03659-2. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2024.12.014. Epub ahead of print.
Kwan TN, Kwan G, Brieger D, Kritharides L, Chow V, Ng ACC. Changing Epidemiology of Myocarditis in Australia: A Population-Based Cohort Study. J Clin Med. 2024 Nov 24;13(23):7111. doi: 10.3390/jcm13237111.
Wang J, Kockx M, Pennings GJ, Lambert T, Chow V, Kritharides L. Discordance Between Triglycerides, Remnant Cholesterol and Systemic Inflammation in Patients with Schizophrenia. Biomedicines. 2024 Dec 18;12(12):2884. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines12122884.
Brieger DG, Rao K, Baer A, Anastasius M, Choong C, Mahoney PD, Hansen PS, Bhindi R. The Innovative Use of Concurrent Transcaval Access and the BASILICA Procedure to Facilitate Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). CJC Open. 2024 Oct 9;7(1):70-74. doi: 10.1016/j.cjco.2024.09.018.
Lerakis S, Kini AS, Giustino G, Anastasius M, Asch F, Weissman NJ, Grayburn PA, Kar S, Lim S, Mishell JM, Whisenant B, Rinaldi M, Kapadia SR, Rajagopal V, Sarembock IJ, Brieke A, Tang GHL, Crowley A, Lindenfeld J, Abraham WT, Sharma SK, Mack MJ, Stone GW. Early changes in left ventricular ejection fraction and outcomes after transcatheter mitral valve repair for secondary mitral regurgitation: From the COAPT trial. J Soc Cardiovasc Angiogr Interv. 2024 Feb 23;3(5):101345. doi:10.1016/j.jscai.2024.101345.
Ne JYA, Ng ACC, Hyun K, Boroumand F, Chow CK, Freedman B, Teber ET, Brieger D. Predictors of new-onset atrial fibrillation in the setting of acute coronary syndromes: a nationwide observational study. J Cardio Vasc Med. 2024;10:1–25.