Science in her stride

Meet Caterina, a passionate PhD researcher at Queen Mary University of London, who’s taking her commitment to heart research beyond the lab.

Specialising in atrial fibrillation and using artificial intelligence to find better treatments, Caterina is running the London Marathon for Heart Research UK.

Motivated by her family’s own battles with heart disease, she’s not just researching solutions, she’s fundraising to make them a reality. She shares her journey of both research and personal connection in the fight against heart diseases.

Could you tell us about yourself and your research?

“My name is Caterina Vidal Horrach, and I’m from Majorca, Spain. I moved to the UK in 2018 to pursue my studies. Currently, I’m working on a PhD titled “Designing mechanism-specific treatment approaches for atrial fibrillation through patient-specific modelling & artificial intelligence”. This research focuses on a specific type of arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition where the heart beats irregularly, which can lead to stroke, heart failure and other complications. I use artificial intelligence to explore the best treatment approaches for this condition.

“I collaborate with clinicians who provide hospital data, which we use to create a digital twin of the patient’s heart. A digital twin is a virtual model of the heart that lets researchers study its function and test treatments without involving the patient directly. This allows us to study the arrhythmia and understand its underlying mechanisms, as it affects each patient differently. We also test how the heart might respond to various treatments. Our ultimate goal is to identify the most effective procedure for each patient model.”

What inspired you to pursue research in cardiology?

“I studied biomedical sciences at university and really enjoyed it. After finishing my master’s, I wanted to pursue a PhD because I had a strong passion for research, and I became particularly interested in artificial intelligence. Although I had never worked in cardiology before, I thought it would be an exciting area to explore because I’ve always been fascinated by the heart and its anatomy.

“My mum, being a doctor and active in these fields, reads a lot of papers and often tells me, ‘You have no idea how much is needed in cardiology and how hard it is to find effective treatments.’ I decided to go for it, and I’m so glad I did because it’s been an amazing field to dive into. The clinicians and cardiologists I speak to are incredibly kind and passionate, as are other researchers in the field.

“My family has a long history of heart problems. At first, I thought it was just my grandparents who had aortic aneurysms, but I realised it affected many more of us. People often think of heart problems as just heart attacks, but there’s so much more to it. The heart is a vast field, and heart problems can affect other areas of the body as well. Thinking about my grandparents and other family members who have experienced heart problems, I knew there was real meaning behind this work.”

What motivated you to run the London Marathon for Heart Research UK?

“I went to watch the London Marathon last year because a friend of mine was running, and I felt really inspired. I remember thinking, ‘I’m going to run it!’

“I’d always said to my supervisor that I wanted to do something big to mark the end of my PhD. She told me about how she once did a charity cycle from London to Brighton, and that really stuck with me. That’s when I had the idea of running the London Marathon. I just thought it would be so much fun. I kept saying, ‘What if I did it and finished strong? Wouldn’t that be amazing?’

“So, I watched the marathon, entered the ballot, and of course didn’t get in because it’s so competitive. But I still really wanted to do it. I had this idea stuck in my head that I wanted to do something big and meaningful, something for a really good cause. And I didn’t tell anyone I was applying to run for charity. I knew I wanted to support a smaller charity because for me, that felt more personal and impactful.

“Given my family history of heart diseases and having dealt with that kind of loss and even just going through the process of being in hospitals and seeing it firsthand, it’s really hard. It’s painful and sad to watch because once you have a cardiac issue, it can recur, and that’s terrifying. You start wondering, ‘Will my parents develop it? Will I?’ You can do all the right things, exercise, stay healthy, but it still lingers in your mind. It’s tough to think about.

“I try not to anticipate the worst and just take things one day at a time. Medicine has come such a long way, and if anything else happens, we’ll deal with it as it comes. There are treatments and support now, so we try not to live in fear. But it’s still scary, especially when you’ve already seen what it can do.”

What motivates you to continue your involvement in heart research and fundraising for it?

“When I talk to people who have had heart problems and when I do the research, the best way to stay calm and positive is by reminding myself that I’m making a difference.

“I’m doing research to help address this issue, and I’m also running the London Marathon for charity to raise money for the same cause. The funding for research needs to come from charities, and they’re the ones who make it happen. For me, the best way to approach the situation is to ask myself, ‘What can I do to make a change?’ I’ve chosen to focus on research, and by raising money for charities, I’m contributing to the full circle of support that drives progress.”

How are you feeling as the marathon approaches, and how is your training going?

“It’s really comforting when people tell you that they appreciate the work you’re doing. Within our research group and marathon team, some have had heart problems themselves or know people who have and hearing their gratitude is so encouraging. It reminds me why I’m doing this. I’ve received so many thanks from family members, friends, and others and it’s just really rewarding. It keeps me going, knowing that, in some way, I’m helping other people.

“Training is also motivating. I follow a plan, push through it, and talk to people who constantly ask how it’s going. Staying motivated is key, and running really helps. It’s not just physical, it helps my mental health too. Running gives me good energy for the day, and that ties back into my research. It keeps me focused, and I’m really excited to see how it all goes. From what I’ve seen, the environment at the marathon is incredible, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Caterina’s journey shows that every step counts in the fight against heart diseases. Ready to make an impact? Run the London Marathon for Heart Research UK and be part of the movement that’s funding pioneering heart research.

Together, we are building a future free from heart diseases.

Coffee with Dr Penny Sucharitkul

Your generosity empowers young researchers like Dr Penny to lead the way in transforming cardiovascular medicine. She began her journey with the Excellence in Scholarship, Enterprise and Leadership (EXSEL) programme.

Each year, Heart Research UK funds two of these scholarships at the University of Leeds, giving students the opportunity to conduct medical research with specialists in cardiovascular medicine.

Heart Research UK has funded the scheme since it was established, helping build future pioneers in the field. This experience allowed Dr Penny to train alongside world-renowned experts and develop the skills that now drive her career.

In this interview, Dr Penny Sucharitkul shares what inspires her to push the boundaries of patient care, striving to make a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it most.

What do you do now, and where did your journey with the EXSEL programme begin?

“I graduated as a doctor from the University of Leeds in 2023 and moved to Bristol for my first job. I’m currently an academic foundation doctor at Southmead Hospital, working on the foundation programme. I’m fortunate to be on the academic track, thanks to Heart Research UK. This path offers protected time for research and study, allowing me to attend conferences and focus on my academic interests.”

“I joined the EXSEL programme to pursue vascular research, particularly in relation to cardiovascular outcomes. For my first project, I studied patients with peripheral arterial disease, those who experience pain in their legs due to poor blood flow. I looked at their cardiovascular outcomes following surgery and had the opportunity to present my findings at a conference, where I won a national prize. Since then, I’ve continued attending the Vascular Society’s Annual Scientific meeting every year.”

How has the EXSEL programme impacted your career and research journey?

“Without the EXSEL programme, I think I would have been working as a healthcare assistant throughout medical school, with no time for extracurricular activities or research. Through EXSEL, I had the opportunity to integrate to a Master of Research, where I took a year out of medicine to study peripheral arterial disease in detail. It was an incredible year, allowing me to research deep into the cardiovascular outcomes related to statin medication, cholesterol, and other influencing factors.

“That first project really set things in motion. I began taking on more research projects, which led to more publications and presentations. My work has primarily focused on improving the overall health of vascular patients to reduce their risks and enhance treatment outcomes, which has been really interesting. It snowballed into an early academic career, and eventually, that’s how I secured my academic job here in Bristol, where I’m now supported by the vascular surgeons. It’s worked out really well.”

What was the highlight of your experience with the EXSEL programme?

“In my fourth year, I did a project that looked at how much vascular teaching medical students in the UK received. The results were concerning, many students had no vascular placement and were unaware that vascular disease is often undertreated. They didn’t know that vascular patients, who are commonly thought to only face amputations, are actually at a much higher risk of heart attacks. This gap in knowledge likely means that many GPs and other doctors aren’t prescribing the medical therapies that these patients need.

“The project was a great learning experience for me, and I had the opportunity to present it at the same conference I’ve been attending every year since EXSEL. This time, it was a bigger moment for me because it was my own project. EXSEL allowed me to develop the idea, write the protocol, and select my team of supervisors. It was my first lead author paper, and I was proud to win another national award for it. The paper was later accepted by the Royal College of Surgeons of England Annals, so now a lot of surgeons will read it and understand the gap in how vascular surgery is taught. This was a huge milestone in my career, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the skills and support I gained through EXSEL.”

Why is it important for charities like Heart Research UK to continue to fund EXSEL scholarships?

“I come from a disadvantaged background. My parents didn’t go to university, and I wasn’t raised in an academic family. I came into research with no real understanding of what was expected or what the standard was. EXSEL provided me with mentors who, in many ways, were like parental figures who encouraged me to set a higher standard for myself than I would’ve ever imagined. EXSEL kept pushing me to grow and put that emphasis on me that I could reach that ceiling if I wanted it. And then I just went for it and realised that it’s not as hard as it’s made out to be.

“I really believe EXSEL should continue to provide funding for opportunities like this. There are so many talented students and only a few places. We need more people coming into academia, advancing medicine for the benefit of patients. It’s also important to encourage people from disadvantaged backgrounds to get involved in research and medicine. Having that perspective matters. For example, I do think of the social challenges patients face, whether it’s how someone manages their medication or the financial pressures they face, like not being able to afford prescriptions. I think my background gives me insights that others may not have, and we need that diversity in medicine and research to make sure we’re addressing all aspects of patient care.”

By supporting initiatives like the EXSEL programme, you’re helping researchers like Dr. Penny break new ground in cardiovascular medicine. Your generosity is nurturing the next generation of researchers and equipping them with cutting-edge skills and resources.

BCS/Heart Research UK fellowship award winners announced

Heart Research UK and the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) are delighted to announce the successful applicants for their clinical fellowship opportunities in 2025. The scheme offers the potential for clinical top-up training, allowing candidates across the NHS workforce to gain new clinical skills or experience in a global centre of excellence.

Dr Reshma Amin, a cardiologist, has been awarded an individual clinical placement for up to two months.

Reshma will visit the electrophysiology department at AZ Sint-Jan in Bruges, Belgium, under Dr Rene Tavernier, consultant cardiologist and head of department, to enhance her procedural skills in interventional cardiac electrophysiology and to learn new techniques in ablation which are not widely used in the UK. Reshma said:

‘I am honoured to have been selected as the recipient of the BCS Heart Research UK Fellowship. I am eager to begin this exciting clinical research opportunity in February 2025 within the Cardiac Electrophysiology Department at AZ Sint-Jan in Bruges, Belgium. I look forward to contributing to pioneering research in this field and collaborating internationally to advance our understanding of cardiac electrophysiology.’

Sarah Birkhoelzer, clinical research fellow, Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, has been awarded an individual clinical placement for up to two months.

Sarah will visit Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School under the mentorship of Dr Muthiah Vaduganathan, co-director of the Center for Cardiometabolic Implementation Science at the hospital, to gain clinical and academic expertise in cardiometabolic renal disease. Sarah said:

‘I am honoured and excited to have been approved for a fellowship with one of the leading experts in heart failure at the esteemed Center of Excellence in Boston. This opportunity represents a significant milestone in my career as a cardiologist and is a testament to my dedication to advancing the field of cardiovascular medicine.’

Alex Savis, senior chief paediatric cardiac physiologist at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, has been awarded the individual clinical placement for a healthcare professional for up to one month.

Alex will visit Dr Gabriela Leal, director and coordinator of the Paediatric and Neonatal Echocardiography Laboratory at the Instituto da Crianca e do Adolescente do Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade de Sao Paulo, to experience functional echocardiography in children and young people (C&YP) with reno-cardiovascular disease, including advanced imaging techniques to predict outcomes in this patient cohort, with the aim of changing patient management in future. Alex said:

‘I was absolutely thrilled to receive the news that I had been awarded a clinical fellowship by the British Cardiac Society and Heart research UK. As a cardiac physiologist, these opportunities are limited, which makes it all the more special. I am looking forward to visiting my chosen centre of clinical excellence (Instituto da Crianca e do Adolescente do Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil) in April for the opportunity to learn, interpret and implement advanced functional echo measurements to improve pathways of care for our paediatric renal patients.’

Dr Chiara Bucciarelli-Ducci, consultant cardiologist, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Guys’ & St Thomas’ NHS Trust and CEO of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, has been awarded the team placement fellowship for a team of up to 6 people for one week.

Chiara’s team will visit Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, US, to develop the skills necessary to implement AI-assisted, automated and accelerated CMR acquisition in the NHS, working with Professor Raymond Yan-Kit Kwong. Chiara said:

‘My team and I were thrilled to be awarded this grant. We are a team of consultants, junior doctors and radiographers representing a truly multidisciplinary and multinational team and we are excited to contribute in making the NHS more efficient for our patients.’

For all awards, the funding is used to contribute towards travel, accommodation, salary and any local medical regulatory/certification costs.

Successful candidates will be expected to provide a full report of their experience within one month of completion and a short video clip detailing their experience which will be used to promote the scheme. All fellowships must be completed by the end of May 2025. The individuals and team will each provide a short talk on their experience at the BCS Conference in June 2025.

Celebrating 45 years of successful heart transplant surgery this Heart Month

By Olivia Schofield

1979 marked a year of significant change for heart transplant surgery in the UK nearly 45 years ago. One which revolutionised heart transplant surgery to become what we know today. The beginning of heart transplant surgery. South Africa had the first successful attempt of heart transplant surgery globally, and it was South African surgeon, Christiaan Barnard’s first successful heart transplant in 1967 which acted as a catalyst for more attempts at heart transplant surgery across the world.

The first attempts at heart transplantation in the UK were performed by the surgeon, Mr Donald Ross in 1968. Sadly, whilst the transplants themselves were completed; the first three patients died within weeks due to major issues of organ rejection.

Despite a moratorium in 1973 which had acted as an effective ban on these surgeries in the UK. It was accomplished cardiac surgeon, Sir Terence English, who could not be dissuaded in his pursuit to continue heart transplant surgery in the UK.

Facing challenges

Even though there were advances around heart transplant surgery, there was subsequent media and political negativity. Sir Terence English, the pioneering surgeon at Royal Papworth Hospital, approached the local Cambridge Authority, which provided funding for heart transplantation to occur within Royal Papworth Hospital’s facilities.

Unfortunately, Sir Terence’s first attempt at heart transplant surgery in January 1979 was unsuccessful as the patient had only survived a few weeks after the heart transplant.

Sir Terence carried out his second surgery in August 1979 at Royal Papworth Hospital on Keith Castle, a 52-year-old who went on to survive over five years post-transplant. This went on to become the first successful heart transplant in UK history.

The successful heart transplant on Keith Castle proved to be a significant breakthrough that Sir Terence and the UK needed. As Sir Terence had funding for only two attempts, this was his last chance. If the transplant had failed, it would have been unlikely that he would have received further funding. However, the success of the second attempt enabled Sir Terence to secure funding from Heart Research UK.

Formerly known as the National Heart Research Fund, Heart Research UK funded the following six heart transplant surgeries in the UK, at what was then called Papworth Hospital.

After Sir Terence had performed two consecutive successful transplants, it provided sufficient evidence to the central regulatory and funding bodies to allow a full-scale transplant programme at Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge. This in turn led to the inclusion of heart transplantation within the NHS.Heart transplant surgery today. Since the first UK heart transplant in 1968, there have been approximately 9,000 heart transplants in the UK.

Heart Research UK has also funded a Translational Research Project (TRP) Grant towards research at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, exploring the effectiveness of fluids for the preservation of donor hearts. This will continue to support the development of pioneering heart transplant surgery.

Heart Research UK and Royal Papworth Hospital also hosts an annual surgical masterclass on heart and lung transplantation led by Marius Berman, Cardiothoracic and Transplant Surgeon at Royal Papworth Hospital.

45 years is a significant milestone and it’s because of you that we can continue to fund lifesaving research into heart transplant surgery. The next 45 years of heart transplant surgery are decided by people like you.

Heart Research UK joins UK research sector to support first-of-its kind sex and gender policy in major sector turning point

By Malavika Pillai

Date published: 11/12/2023

Heart Research UK is today publishing a statement of intent signalling our support for the introduction of dedicated sex and gender policies for biomedical, health and care research in the UK. We join with organisations across the UK medical research sector to publish this statement, which was produced in collaboration with The George Institute for Global Health’s Medical Science Sex and Gender Equity (MESSAGE) project. High-quality, reproducible, and inclusive medical research requires consideration of sex and gender at every stage, from study design and participant recruitment to data analysis and transparent reporting of results. Sex and gender influence the conditions people develop, the symptoms they experience, the treatment they receive, and their overall outcomes. In the instance of cardiovascular research, it has been highlighted that women have a 50% higher chance of receiving the wrong initial diagnosis after a heart attack. This means they are less likely than men to promptly receive the life-saving treatments they need and are about half as likely as men to receive recommended heart attack treatments. This means that women with heart disease are dying unnecessarily from heart attacks and have worse outcomes than men because they are less likely to receive the care and treatment they need.

The current evidence base has relied on studies conducted primarily on male cells, animals and people, contributing to persisting standards of worse care and worse outcomes for cis women and sex- and gender-diverse people. Understanding sex and gender differences, as well as where similarities exist, is therefore essential to ensure that treatment and care is safe and effective for all people.

In contrast to other high-income countries – notably Canada, the United States and European nations under Horizon Europe – the UK has no standard, unified guidance for researchers about how to consider sex dimensions in cell and animal studies, and sex and gender dimensions in human studies. To address this need, Heart Research UK has collaborated with the project to co-design a sex and gender policy framework for UK research funders. We are working alongside the wider sector – including research funders, regulators, researchers, patient and public groups, academic publishers, and the Department of Health and Social Care – to develop priorities for change in this space and discuss how sex and gender policies should be best implemented. We welcome the launch of this framework in 2024, which sets a new gold standard for research in the UK and will ensure cohesion in requirements made of researchers going forwards.

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK, said:

“The introduction of dedicated sex and gender policies for biomedical, health and care research in the UK is important to ensure that sex and gender are considered in every stage across research and health projects and represents a significant opportunity to improve research practices going forward. We are proud to be involved in this work and pleased so many organisations are offering their support.”

Robyn Norton, Founding Director of The George Institute, Professor of Global Health at Imperial College London and co-principal investigator on the MESSAGE project, said:

“We are delighted to see so many members of the UK research sector express their commitment to improving scientific rigour and equity in biomedical, health and care research. Today marks a huge advance for the UK research community, which will help provide the most effective evidence to improve outcomes for all patients.”

Heart Research UK has so far committed to delivering a national awareness campaign; HER Disease, encouraging women to recognise the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Going forwards, Heart Research UK plans to focus its attentions on delivering a follow up campaign that will aim to promote women’s participation in clinical trials and expel the myths that currently surround them.

You can find out more about the MESSAGE project at www.messageproject.co.uk or on X at @MESSAGE_TGI

Heart Research UK is delighted to present at the Cardiovascular Professional Care Conference 2023

By Olivia Schofield

Following the success of Heart Research UK’s award-winning HER disease campaign, Director of Health Promotion and Education, Dr Helen Flaherty and Cardiology Registrar at St Thomas’ Hospital, Dr Holly Morgan will be presenting to an esteemed group of cardiovascular and clinical professionals at ExCel London. HER disease was launched in September 2022 to raise awareness of how women are being affected by coronary heart disease, one of the single biggest killers of women in the UK.

  • Coronary heart disease kills more than 23,000 women every year in the UK
  • Coronary heart disease kills twice as many women as breast cancer in the UK
  • Around 830,000 women are living with coronary heart disease

The Cardiovascular Professional Care Conference is a two-day event delivering outstanding clinical content and critical updates for the whole sector. After establishing itself as the new home for the UK cardiology community, the highly anticipated 2023 edition will offer a unique platform for knowledge exchange, networking and the exploration of ground-breaking advancements in cardiovascular care.

Registration is now open for Cardiovascular Professional Care, taking place on 14th and 15th November 2023 at ExCeL London.

Created specifically for all healthcare professionals involved in the treatment, management and delivery of cardiovascular care, the event will also bring together exhibitors in a dynamic environment to showcase the latest products and innovations aimed at improving patient care and outcomes in cardiovascular care. This year’s conference is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet, with a diverse array of sessions, workshops and panel discussions that delve into the latest developments in cardiovascular care. Among the highlights is a dynamic session led by Heart Research UK, focusing on the critical issue of HER disease and the loss of women’s lives to heart disease. Plenty of other sessions will take place with topics including clinical trials and emerging trends.

Meet our NET Panel: Dr Pankaj Garg

Our Novel and Emerging Technologies Grants are awarded to medical research projects that focus on the development of new and innovative technologies to diagnose, treat and prevent heart diseases and related conditions. To help us ensure that we support the highest quality science and the best scientists we have the help of a panel of cardiologists, surgeons and scientists with expertise and knowledge in the specific area.One of our NET panel members is Dr Pankaj Garg, Associate Professor in Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of East Anglia. He’s leading the development of advanced ways to image the heart and its flow dynamics, working to develop the technology for the benefit of patients.How did you decide that you wanted to be a researcher?

“Besides being a doctor, my love for technology and being a computer nerd inspired me to specialise in cardiac imaging in clinical practice. As I explored this field, I became aware of new technologies that greatly improved heart imaging through various methods. Witnessing their potential and impact on medical diagnostics, I was driven to become a researcher in this area.”What is your main area of interest?

“During my PhD research, I was introduced to an incredibly innovative technology, a novel approach to flow imaging of the heart. Unlike standard flow imaging, which only captures flow in one direction, this new technique provided a comprehensive view of the heart’s flow dynamics in three dimensions. This revelation was eye-opening as I realised that the flow inside the heart is far more complex than a simple forward motion. It involves simultaneous forward and backward movements, accompanied by the formation of vortices similar to those seen in thunderstorms.

“The introduction of this ground-breaking technology, known as 4D flow MRI, offered immense potential for clinical applications. Recognising its significance, I became deeply compelled to invest my time and efforts into developing it for use in clinical practice. Today, my focus remains on advancing this technology for the benefit of patients.”What research are you working on right now?

“As you may be aware, heart failure poses a significant challenge. The current diagnostic approach for heart failure involves assessing the pressures within the heart, which is considered the gold standard method. However, this typically requires invasive procedures, which are expensive and have risks.

“In routine clinical practice, echocardiograms, which use ultrasound-based methods, are commonly used to estimate pressures in the heart, but they often lack precision.

“To address this unmet clinical need, my research group is dedicated to developing highly accurate and precise non-invasive techniques for measuring these pressures using the new 4D MRI.”Why did you want to be part of our NET panel?

“I personally had the opportunity to apply for a NET grant, and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the process. The NET grant scheme is truly exceptional, as it provides a platform for the evolution of novel emerging techniques that may carry an element of risk within the UK landscape. This approach fosters innovation and encourages collaborative efforts between researchers and the industry to develop solutions that have the potential to bring tangible benefits to patients.”Where do you think novel and emerging technology will take cardiovascular disease treatments in the future?

“Novel and emerging technologies encompass a wide range of scientific aspects, including fundamental research exploring molecular components, as well as hardware and software solutions that offer fresh perspectives and insights into understanding heart disease. These technological advancements bring us closer to effectively delivering improved care to patients.

“Moreover, the field of artificial intelligence (AI) holds significant potential. In my view, it’s crucial to emphasise the utilisation of existing data to extract valuable information and enable informed clinical decision-making. However, I want to express caution regarding the use of AI as a black box. As doctors and scientists, it’s essential that we maintain a level of vigilance and not overly rely on AI to provide definitive answers, such as diagnosing heart disease. Instead, we should use AI to discover the underlying mechanisms driving heart disease, to enhance our understanding of the condition.”Why would you say that investing in research is important for the future?

“Currently, the UK is undergoing a transitional phase where the loss of EU funding and research opportunities is a significant concern. This loss has the potential to exert a profoundly negative impact, not only impeding the development of future research endeavours but also hindering the growth of our domestic pool of talented professionals. Without the ability to attract and retain exceptional individuals, we risk impeding innovation itself.

“It’s crucial that we maintain a continuous stream of funding for innovative technologies that directly benefit patients. The field of science is experiencing rapid evolution, and in the span of just five or ten years, the technological landscape will undergo a complete transformation.

“Failure to invest in research within the UK will ultimately result in adverse consequences for both patients and scientific community.

“So it’s important that we prioritise research investments to ensure UK is at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs which lead to improvement in health.”

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Meet our NET Panel: Professor Ellison-Hughes

Our Novel and Emerging Technologies Grants are awarded to medical research projects that focus on the development of new and innovative technologies to diagnose, treat and prevent heart diseases and related conditions. To help us ensure that we support the highest quality science and the best scientists we have the help of a panel of cardiologists, surgeons and scientists with expertise and knowledge in the specific area. One of these is Georgina Ellison-Hughes, Professor of Regenerative Muscle Physiology at King’s College London. She’s also currently working on a research project, funded by Heart Research UK, looking at a new way to eliminate so-called ‘zombie’ cells in the heart and improving the heart’s own ability to repair itself. How did you decide that you wanted to be a researcher?

“I wanted to be a medical researcher ever since my first indication that it was a career option.

“The reason I wanted to go into heart research was because my grandfather died very suddenly of a massive heart attack.

“I was very close to him. I was a bit annoyed, really, that nothing could be done to save him. My mum was very much like ‘ohh, you know he’s old, he had a bad heart’. But I remember thinking, what is it about ageing that makes a heart deteriorate? And what happens if we could stop that from happening and keep the heart healthier for longer?” Heart Research UK is funding a research project where you’re looking at ‘zombie’ cells of the heart and how we can get rid of these for the heart to rejuvenate itself. How is it going?

“We still have about another four or five months left on the project and we’ve collected quite a lot of data.

“These ‘zombie’ cells, or senescent cells, appear as part of the ageing process and they are dysfunctional, and they also refuse to die.

“So, they hang around and they release really harmful chemicals that can then have an effect on cells that are nearby, making them become dysfunctional too.

“We’re using a type of drug called senolytics that destroys ‘zombie’ cells. What we’ve shown is that when we eliminate the zombie cells, we can improve the survival and also the proliferation of human cardiac cells.”What would you say is the end goal for this research? If you’re able to dream big.

“I think the end goal would be that senolytics can be used to improve cardiovascular health and prevent cardiovascular disease.

“If we see similar results that we’re seeing in the preclinical models, then I think that senolytics could be used as an additional therapy to improve cardiovascular health.

“But ‘zombie’ cells don’t just target the heart, there are also senescent cells that affect different organs and tissues throughout the body. They are really detrimental in for example atherosclerosis which has been known for many years. ”Why did you want to be part of our NET panel?

“Because I find the NET grant scheme really exciting. It’s different to other grants and panels that are around, especially in the field of the heart.

“I’m really interested in seeing the clinical benefit and impact of the research that we do. I want to see the work that we’re doing go into the clinic and benefit patients. I know I don’t want to work for the next 20 years and not think that anything I’ve worked on has progressed from where we’re at today.

“One of the great things about the NET grant scheme is that Heart Research UK wants to see clinical impact and pathway to the clinic within a set time frame. ”Where do you think novel and emerging technology will take cardiovascular disease treatments in the future?

“I think it has a huge potential, to take us into, in some ways, a whole new world. Something like AI could really take us into being a leader in terms of healthcare and innovation in the future.

“What’s also great is the emerging technologies in terms of wearable devices and using AI to help people to become more educated about their own health and wellbeing.

“But we need to take responsibility for that. We have so many sources where we can get information about what affects people’s lifestyles now. I think it would be good to use that information to inform the future development for the next generations, to make sure that we do prevent and delay heart disease and other conditions. ”Why would you say that investing in research is important for the future?

“If you don’t have people doing the research, then you’re never going to discover and find out whether something is worthwhile, whether something works or doesn’t work. You are able to impact change.

“But it’s also important for people like me who, when I was 18 years old, I realised that that’s what I wanted to do. It’s a career and a vocation.

“And it gives me so much back, by doing good, if you like. And I think we need to have career pathways that are like that, where people feel like they are doing good and they can see the bigger picture rather than thinking life is all about working or making money.”

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Celebrating the EXSEL Scholarships

Published: 09/03/2023

By: Ebba Ritzen

This week, an event was held at the University of Leeds to celebrate the work of the EXSEL student scholars and the support provided to the scheme by Heart Research UK. The EXSEL Scholarship is awarded to two students each year, to enable them to do medical research with leading experts in cardiovascular medicine. Heart Research UK has been funding the scheme since the start, supporting the researchers of the future. At the event, Professor Homer-Vanniasinkam spoke about how the idea for the programme came when she suggested to a student that he continued to work with her on a research project over the summer, but he initially declined as he needed to find paid work. Now, through the scholarship, Heart Research UK can fund two outstanding undergraduate medical students each year, giving them the opportunity to be involved in research projects and helping them become the experts of tomorrow. Also speaking at the event was Sumayyah Ishfaq, who was one of the two who received the EXSEL Scholarship in 2022. She talked about how the programme has impacted her belief in her own abilities and achievements. She said:

I didn’t have published research experiences or many of the things I associated with excellence. I wasn’t sure what my journey through EXSEL was going to entail, and under all the smiling, this thought of excellence, quite honestly, terrified me.

“My research project taught me a lot about the scientific research process. I developed my skills in analysis, abstract creation and much more.”

After thanking her supervisor and mentors at the University of Leeds, Sumayyah said:

I owe most gratitude to Heart Research UK, whose generosity has made my pursuit for excellence a possibility. Your kindness and donations have been pivotal for me academically, and personally, but also for many along the way.”

Prof Homer and Dr Howell

Wiktoria Ozarek and Sumayyah Ishfaq

Related pages

Research receives funding to develop new way to diagnose life-threatening cardiovascular condition

By Ebba Ritzen

Aortic dissection is a rare but life-threatening condition where there is a tear in the inner wall of the aorta, the main artery in the body that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. A research project at the University of Dundee has now been awarded a £200,000 grant by Heart Research UK, to develop a faster test for better diagnosing the condition and hopefully save more lives.More people die in the UK of aortic dissection every year than in road accidents. The condition has a survival rate of less than 50%, often thought to be due to missed or delayed diagnosis when people arrive in hospital.

Dissection is often caused by an underlying aortic aneurysm, a swelling or bulging of the aorta. These often have no symptoms up to the point of dissection. This is why it is important that we improve the diagnosis of acute aortic dissection, as well as improve how we measure the risk of dissection for those with a known aortic aneurysm.

Dr Huang and the project he leads are trying to do just that. Previous research has discovered a substance called desmosine that, when present in the blood, indicates damage to the aorta. The levels of desmosine in the blood can also accurately predict the severity of an aortic aneurysm and the risk of it dissecting.

This has led to the possibility that desmosine can be used to diagnose and predict risk of dissection, but unfortunately the process for measuring the desmosine levels takes too long for it to be useful in an emergency.

Dr Huang’s project aims to shorten the analysis time so that desmosine can be used in emergency situations and hopefully improve the numbers of people who survive aortic dissection.

Dr Jeffrey Huang said:

“Quicker diagnoses of aortic dissection could change the game in emergency situations, which would be a turning point in improving survival and long-term outcomes for these patients. The discovery of desmosine also has significant potential in informing us about the risk of dissection in aortic aneurysms, which would help patients to make informed decisions about their own care.”

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK, said:

“We’re pleased to be awarding one of our Novel and Emerging Technologies grants to Dr Huang and his team. The number of people dying from aortic dissection is devastating and a quicker and better way of diagnosing the condition would save lives.”

New research uses AI in hope to improve outcomes for patients with aortic aneurysms

By Ebba Ritzen

Swelling or bulging of the body’s main blood vessel can lead to dissection or rupture, which is often fatal. New research at Imperial College London will use artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse which aneurysms are most likely to rupture, which could lead to better monitoring and save more lives. The research project has received a Novel and Emerging Technologies Grant of £220,000 from Heart Research UK. The aorta is the main blood vessel in the body and a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a swelling or bulging of the aorta in the chest. Although a TAA can remain stable in the body for years, once it grows beyond a certain point there’s a risk of an aortic dissection or rupture. Both these events can be fatal.

Despite being a rare condition, aortic dissection kills more people in the UK each year than road traffic accidents. Around one third of cases of aortic dissection are misdiagnosed and 50% of people die before reaching a specialist centre. This is why it’s very important that patients with TAA are monitored closely.

If the aneurysm is small, surveillance through scans is recommended, but if it’s bigger than 5.4cm the patient is often offered surgery to replace that section of the aorta. But the decision to have surgery is difficult and involves deciding whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Also, 60% of aneurysms have been found to rupture below the size cut off point. As these acute conditions are life-threatening, improvements in surveillance are needed.

Professor O’Regan and his team will use AI technology to analyse CT scans of thoracic aortas and generate 3D images. Not only will this give more accurate measurement of aneurysms, but it will also allow clinicians to establish which section of the aorta is under the most stress. Additionally, using data from thousands of patients with TAAs, the team hopes that the AI technology will be able to predict which aneurysms are at the greatest risk of dissection or rupture.

Professor O’Regan said:

“We’re pleased to have received a grant from Heart Research UK for this research, which will have major benefits to both patients and healthcare professionals.

“For patients, it will reduce anxiety around aneurysms and allow them to make more informed decisions about surgery if the time comes. For healthcare services, it will enable more accurate and efficient analysis of scans that will greatly benefit the NHS screening and surveillance programmes, ultimately with the view to decrease the number of acute aortic events and save lives.”

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said:

“This is a project that is highly deserving of one of our Novel and Emerging Technologies Grants. The project is using some of the latest and most innovative developments and ultimately aims to decrease the number of acute aortic events and save more lives.”

New study finds vaping benefits blood vessel health as much as other nicotine replacements

By Ebba Ritzen

A new study at Sheffield Hallam University investigating e-cigarettes’ effects on the blood vessels has found that they are as beneficial for the cardiovascular system as conventional nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT) when stopping smoking .It is estimated that there are 10 million cigarette smokers in the UK and 1.3 billion in the world. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide, with the majority of these deaths due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Around 78,000 people in the UK die from smoking each year.

Stopping smoking will reduce the risk of CVD, but even the best methods have high relapse rates of over 75% within a year.

The e-cigarette has already been embraced by the public and is considered to be the number one aid to stop smoking among those who want to quit. By 2020 they were being used by 27% of smokers attempting to quit, compared with 18% who used NRT. But although e-cigarettes have been found to help people smoke fewer cigarettes and appear to have a relatively small number of side effects, until now, little has been known about their effects on the heart and circulatory system and risk of developing CVD.

The research project, funded by Heart Research UK and led by Dr Klonizakis, involved 248 smokers who wanted to stop smoking and who were randomly divided into three groups. One group received nicotine-rich e-cigarettes, another nicotine-free e-cigarettes and the third received conventional NRT. All groups also received behavioural change support that NHS stop smoking services provide.

The main focus of the study was to find out how the three aids affect the cardiovascular system.

It was found that there were immediate, positive effects on the small arteries and veins, with no significant difference between the three groups, and these benefits were most pronounced in those who smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day.

The improvement in blood vessel health persisted both in the medium (three months after stopping smoking) and longer-term (six months after stopping) in all three groups, without any difference between the groups.

The results show that e-cigarettes offer similar benefits to blood vessel health compared to established stop smoking methods and reduce CVD risk. This will help smokers make an informed decision about which option to choose.

The research is also important because it may influence changes to the national ‘Stop Smoking’ strategy and the NICE guidelines on the use of e-cigarettes, and help to improve regulation of the e-cigarettes industry. The findings have recently been published in BMC Medicine.

Dr Markos Klonizakis said:

‘Vaping is used widely both as a stop smoking aid and a recreational tool, overtaking smoking. Although our work doesn’t suggest that it is safe for the general population, it confirms that vaping can benefit the arteries and small of veins of people wishing to stop smoking. This is a ground-breaking finding, complementing previous work in the field. Hopefully, our work can help people and policy makers make the right decisions, to support smoking cessation.’

Helen Wilson, Head of Research at Heart Research UK, said:

‘Stopping smoking is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. E-cigarettes have become a very popular choice for people wanting to give up smoking but until now, little was known about their effects on the heart and blood vessels. This study provides important new evidence to help people make an informed decision about which aid to stop smoking they choose. We are proud to have funded this important study.’

New research sets out to improve the lives of people living with heart failure

By Ebba Ritzen

A research project at the University of Leeds aiming to find an easier way to establish the optimum heart rate for heart failure patients with pacemakers, has received a £200,000 grant from Heart Research UK. This could reduce symptoms of heart failure and enable patients to be more physically active, which would improve their lives.Heart failure is a condition where the heart fails to pump enough blood around the body, and it’s a long-term condition that gradually gets worse over time. People with heart failure often suffer from breathlessness and fatigue, often to the point where something as simple as walking up the stairs can be an overwhelming task.

When healthy people exercise, their heart rates increase together with heart pumping power so that more blood is pumped to the muscles. In heart failure, this relationship is disrupted, meaning that above an optimal heart rate range, the heart’s pumping power actually decreases. Also, some of the medication prescribed to people with heart failure limit how fast the heart can beat, which can contribute to the breathlessness and fatigue experienced during physical activity.

Around 30% of people with heart failure will get a pacemaker implanted in the chest, which can increase the heart rate during physical activity. An ultrasound scan of the heart, called echocardiography, can be used to measure each person’s individual optimal heart rate and programme the pacemaker accordingly. However, echocardiography is a very time consuming and expensive process, and therefore it is often inaccessible.

The new research project, led by Dr John Gierula, will instead use a different monitoring device which uses blood pressure cuffs around the fingers, to establish this optimum heart rate. This procedure is very cheap compared to echocardiography and can be carried out in minutes. The researchers aim to find out if this method is a valid alternative to the original heart scan method. If it is shown to be as effective, it could be incorporated within routine practice in the NHS.Dr John Gierula

Dr John Gierula said:

‘We’re hoping this method will prove to be an accurate and cost-efficient alternative to echocardiography. Overall, the study represents a step closer to widespread personalised pacemaker programming, which has the potential to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for patients with heart failure and pacemakers across the world.’

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK, said:

‘We know that many patients with heart failure struggle to be physically active, even with a pacemaker implanted. That’s why we’re so pleased to give one of our Novel and Emerging Technologies Grants to Dr Gierula and his team. They are aiming to develop a new method for personalising pacemaker programming and improve these patients’ lives, which is ultimately what our research grants are all about.’

New research: Can mobile health tech improve uptake of cardiac rehabilitation?

By Ebba Ritzen

The NHS aims to increase the uptake of cardiac rehabilitation to 85% by 2028, to improve quality of life and outcomes for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). A research project at Liverpool John Moores University has now received a £120,000 grant from Heart Research UK, to investigate if mobile health technology can help the NHS in this important effort. Cardiac rehabilitation is a programme of supervised exercise prescribed to people with CHD when they’re discharged from hospital. The patients attend weekly sessions at a local hospital or community centre. The benefits of the programme are clear – it improves quality of life, reduces readmission to hospital and the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

Despite these benefits, the uptake of cardiac rehabilitation is low, with only around half of those who are prescribed it actually attending the sessions. There also tends to be a significant delay between discharge from hospital and starting the rehabilitation, which may well be contributing to the limited uptake.

The new research, led by Professor Helen Jones, will use mobile health technology (mhealth) to provide a bridging solution between hospital discharge and supervised rehabilitation. This will allow patients to start a homebased walking programme soon after they are discharged from hospital. Using a combination of an app, smartphone and a wearable tracking device, they’ll be able to track their own exercise whilst also receiving advice and feedback from trained exercise professionals. The participants will also be asked to measure their blood pressure, weight and how they’re feeling in themselves.

The study will involve two groups, one will receive standard care and the other will be testing the mhealth intervention. The researchers will then establish whether this technology improves both uptake of cardiac rehab and overall wellbeing in patients.

The new technology has the potential to encourage more people to attend cardiac rehabilitation sessions, helping the NHS to increase the uptake to 85% by 2028. This could in turn improve the quality of life and overall outcome for patients with CHD.

Professor Jones said:

‘Health technology is both cost-effective and highly accessible, and this kind of healthcare allows services to reach those who previously might have fallen through the gaps in care. We’re hoping this will improve uptake of cardiac rehabilitation which sadly doesn’t get utilised fully currently.’

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK, said:

‘Cardiac rehabilitation has such great benefits for both patient and the healthcare system, and increasing the uptake is therefore very important. We’re pleased to award one of our Novel and Emerging Technologies Grants to Professor Jones and this project which aims to encourage more people to attend cardiac rehab sessions and ultimately improve quality of life for patients.’

International Women’s Day: The women whose research we’re funding

The 8th of March marks International Women’s Day and we’d like to take the opportunity to highlight some of the amazing women working in heart research, whose projects we’re funding

Professor Gillian Gray, University of Edinburgh

Gillian Gray is Professor of Cardiovascular Pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh. Her team discovered that a drug originally developed to treat obesity and diabetes also promotes repair of the heart after a heart attack and reduces the development of heart failure. The drug acts early after heart attack to prevent the spread of injury in the heart muscle and therefore has the potential to benefit many patients. The project we’re funding is investigating the benefits of the drug over existing drugs to treat heart failure and is looking further into the effects the drug has on the heart.

Dr Amrit Daffu-O’Reilly, University of Leeds

Dr Daffu-O’Reilly works at the University of Leeds as a Senior Researcher. Her research interest is in behaviour change to prevent and manage disease, reducing health inequalities and minority ethnic health. The research we’re funding is exploring perceptions of langar (a holy food offering) among the Sikh community. South Asian people living in the UK have up to a 50% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease compared to the general population, due to a variety of reasons. It has been suggested that a less than healthy diet and low physical activity levels are key contributors. In the place of worship in the Sikh community, the Gurdwara, a free meal is served, called langar, which tends to be high in calories.

Dr Daffu-O’Reilly and her team is working together with two Sikh Gurdwaras, with the long-term plan of developing a toolkit to make healthy changes and lead by example, locally, regionally, nationally and hopefully internationally as well.

Professor Georgina Ellison-Hughes, King’s College

Professor of Regenerative Muscle Physiology Georgina Ellison-Hughes is aiming to eliminate so-called ‘zombie’ cells, which could alleviate age-related cardiac deterioration. Ageing is the greatest risk factor for many life-threatening disorders and the build-up of ‘zombie’ cells promotes ageing and age-related conditions including cardiovascular disease. These cells refuse to die and release chemicals that can be harmful to nearby cells, eventually turning these into ‘zombie’ cells as well. Prof Ellison-Hughes is investigating whether a new group of drugs can eliminate and/or stop the harmful chemicals they produce. This can improve the survival and growth of heart muscle cells and their ability to repair the heart.

Prof Ellison-Hughes has also delivered a TEDx talk on rejuvenating a broken heart. The talk describes her research which led to the discovery that the adult heart is a self-renewing organ and can grow new heart cells.

Dr Anna Gavin, Queen’s University Belfast

As the Founding Director of the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Dr Anna Gavin’s project aims to establish a heart disease database for N. Ireland and link this with the cancer and stroke databases. The goal is to improve patient care and the outcomes for people in N. Ireland. Approximately 225,000 people are living with cardiovascular disease in N. Ireland, and it remains a major cause of death and disability. The linked databases should help scientists and doctors examine in more detail the trends in disease levels and the effects of prevention and treatments.

Using artificial intelligence for safer CT imaging of blood vessels

Professor Regent Lee and his team at the University of Oxford received one of our Novel and Emerging Technologies grants for their development of a method which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to generate ‘contrast enhanced’ CT scans without using contrast dye. The new technology would have a reduced risk of complications and may also have a positive impact on the sustainability of healthcare. Computerised Tomography (CT or CAT) scans are widely used in all fields of medicine and surgery. When doctors are considering treatment of a blood vessel, they need to get a detailed view of the inside of the vessel, so special dyes, called contrast agents, are injected to visualise the blood flow and find any abnormalities.

However, contrast dyes can cause complications, including allergy and kidney damage. Contrast dye injection also requires the insertion of a needle, longer scan time and additional radiation exposure.

The injection into the patient’s arm can be both uncomfortable and can result in the dye leaking out from the injection site to the tissues under the skin causing skin problems.

Reducing the use of contrast dye could have a positive impact on the environment and sustainability of healthcare. Radioactive contrast agents are a major component of pharmaceutical waste in hospital water systems. Although the long-term impact on health is yet to be defined, several European countries are actively seeking solutions to minimise wastewater contamination by radioactive contrast agents.

Professor Lee’s team has developed a method which uses AI to generate ‘contrast enhanced’ CT scans without using contrast dye. Although human eyes cannot tell the difference between blood flow and abnormalities such as blood clots, there are minute details in the scan that can be used to differentiate them. Professor Lee said:

“The use of artificial intelligence in generating CT scans without the need for contrast dyes would allow diagnosis and treatment of blood vessel conditions with a reduced risk of complications. Also, the reduced scanning time, radiation dose and lower cost would bring important benefits, not limited to the scanning of blood vessels. This method may be used for diagnosis and treatment planning for other medical conditions where contrast enhanced CT scans are required.”

Using biological gases to control abnormal heart rhythms

Professor Derek Steele

University of Leeds

£132,190

The rhythmic beating of the heart is controlled by the co-ordinated opening and closing of ‘ion channels’ in the heart cells which allow electrically charged particles – ions – to move in and out of the cells. If this electrical activity is disrupted it can lead to abnormal rhythms, called arrhythmias, which may prevent the heart from pumping effectively and be life-threatening. The most common form of arrhythmia is ‘atrial fibrillation’ which is thought to affect more than 1.4 million people in the UK.

Cells of the body naturally produce gases including, surprisingly, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide. These gases are very poisonous at high levels, but in fact have important roles in controlling normal functions of cells and organs, including the heart.

This research showed that when atrial fibrillation was induced in heart muscle cells in the lab, the amount of a particular key ion channel that controls the electrical activity of the heart was increased. Importantly, application of carbon monoxide or hydrogen sulphide was found to supress the activity of this ion channel and protect against changes in electrical activity that are linked with atrial fibrillation.

This raises the exciting possibility that atrial fibrillation could be treated by altering the levels of carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide within cells or using drugs which release these gases. These results are promising and further research is now needed to look at the most effective ways to control the release of the naturally produced biological gases within the body, to see whether this is an effective way to treat atrial fibrillation.

Longer-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on blood vessels and blood pressure (LOCHINVAR)

COVID-19 Research Grant

Prof Sandosh Padmanabhan, University of Glasgow

Amount: £250,000

Summary: Research has shown that people who have certain other medical problems, including high blood pressure, have a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. This project will investigate the links between COVID-19 infection and high blood pressure which may help to improve the long-term outcomes for survivors of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest medical challenge of recent years. COVID-19 is caused by a virus which mainly affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body including the heart and blood vessels. Research has shown that people who are older, obese, male or those who have other medical problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or chronic lung conditions, have a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is very common with more than one quarter of adults in the UK affected.

The virus causing COVID-19 enters the body’s cells through a receptor called ACE2 which is found in the lungs, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, liver, and bowel. ACE2 is very important for maintaining many of the body’s important processes including blood pressure, inflammation, and wound healing. Some of the medicines used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease may change the level or function of ACE2 which could have good or bad effects during COVID-19 infection. Also, COVID-19 can cause damage to the walls of the blood vessels which makes the risk of blood clots higher and this has been seen more often in people with high blood pressure. The reasons for this are not yet known which is why we need to understand more about the links between COVID-19 and high blood pressure.

This study aims to answer whether: –

High blood pressure makes COVID-19 infection worse and if so, why.

COVID-19 infection makes high blood pressure worse and if so, why.

Monitoring and management of high blood pressure needs to be a greater priority during the pandemic.

The project will be divided into the following three parts: –

Part 1 will look at routinely collected health records for people in the West of Scotland who attended hospital or had a positive test for COVID-19 between April 2020 and April 2021. This will be compared to the records of patients who attended hospital during 2019, for another reason. The team will also extend this to look in detail at a group of people with high blood pressure who attend the Glasgow Blood Pressure Clinic.

Part 2 will study a group of people that have recovered from COVID-19 infection who will undergo blood pressure monitoring, and tests of heart and blood vessel health. These tests will be repeated after 12 and 18 months to see if there have been any changes. They will be compared to a group of people who have not had COVID-19.

Part 3 will look at markers in the blood (biomarkers) with the aim of identifying any which are linked with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or death in COVID-19.

This study will give us a better understanding of the links between COVID-19 infection and high blood pressure, and help to improve the long-term outcomes for survivors of COVID-19. Also, the findings may lead to recommendations on the monitoring and management of blood pressure during the pandemic.

The role of inflammation in blood vessel damage in COVID-19 patients

COVID-19 Research Grant

Prof Faisel Khan, University of Dundee

Amount: £133,693

Summary: Inflammation in the body caused by COVID-19 might be responsible for harmful effects on the blood vessels, and blood cells, called neutrophils, might be the link. This project will study whether increased activation of neutrophils contributes to development of long-term disease of the blood vessels in COVID-19 patients and whether reducing their activation with drug treatment has beneficial effects. Targeting neutrophils in this way could be a treatment option for reducing blood vessel and heart complications in patients with COVID-19.COVID-19, which is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, is having a devastating impact on health worldwide. The major cause of death in patients who have COVID-19 results from development of complications in the lungs. However, the harmful effect of COVID-19 is excessively high in people who have pre-existing diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Also, COVID-19 can cause ‘new’ damage to the heart and blood vessels in people who have no pre-existing disease. The lining of blood vessels, called endothelium, acts as a barrier and first point of contact for the virus that causes COVID-19. From recent research studies, there is evidence that the virus causes damage to the endothelium which in turn leads to disease of the heart and blood vessels, particularly the very small blood vessels, called microvessels.

It is thought that inflammation in the body caused by COVID-19 might be responsible for some of the harmful effects on the blood vessels. Inflammation is a protective mechanism activated by the body’s immune system to fight infection, remove harmful toxins and help in the healing process. However, inflammation can also have detrimental effects on the human body, especially when it does not resolve and becomes persistent, as in COVID-19.

Professor Khan and his team believe that abnormal activation of a type of white blood cell, called the neutrophil, that is important in the body’s immune response, might be the link between COVID-19 and damage to the blood vessels. Importantly, Professor James Chalmers and colleagues have recently shown that a new drug, called brensocatib, reduces the abnormal activation of neutrophils and improve the symptoms of patients who have bronchiectasis, a lung disease that is caused by inflammation.

The aims of the project are to explore whether: –

abnormally high activation of neutrophils, caused by inflammation, is responsible for long term damage to the endothelium and small blood vessels in COVID-19 patients.

reducing activation of neutrophils with the drug brensocatib reduces damage to the endothelium and improves the function of the blood vessels.

The team will assess the function of the small blood vessels over 12 months in 120 patients who have had COVID-19 to see if this is abnormal compared with healthy people who have not had COVID-19. They will apply small amounts of chemicals to the skin and use a laser machine, which measures blood flow in the microvessels, to assess how well the blood vessels are working. They will also take blood samples to measure the activation of neutrophils and see if high levels of activation are linked to blood vessel damage.

Also, they will use these methods in 100 patients who have been hospitalised with COVID-19, to compare the effects of the drug brensocatib against a dummy drug (placebo) on the activation of neutrophils and function of the blood vessels. These measurements will be carried out before and after 28 days of treatment.

The study will show whether increased activation of neutrophils contributes to development of long-term disease of the blood vessels in COVID-19 patients and whether reducing their activation with drug treatment has beneficial effects. Targeting neutrophils in this way could be an important treatment option for reducing blood vessel and heart complications in people who have COVID-19.

Building new blood vessels to treat babies with structural defects of the heart

Professor Paolo Madeddu

Bristol Heart Institute

£76,054

In the UK, at least 1 in 150 babies is born with congenital heart disease which means a heart defect that develops in the womb, before a baby is born. So that these babies can survive, cardiac surgeons often have to perform complex surgery to replace and correctly position defective arteries and valves. The grafts currently used to repair hearts are made of non-living materials. This means that as the baby’s heart grows rapidly during the first years of life, the grafts do not grow and the child will need further surgery to replace the grafts.

This project developed techniques for isolating special cells from the baby’s umbilical cord, called pericytes, and growing them in the lab. Importantly, when the cells were tested, they had the properties needed to form functioning blood vessels. Also, they found that these properties were better than for other types of stem cells more often used in regenerative medicine. After isolation from the umbilical cord, the researchers were able to seed the pericytes onto grafts and found that the cells not only grew and integrated well but also produced important proteins that support the formation of small blood vessels. This is a very important result because the success of graft integration into the baby’s heart depends on a good supply of oxygen and nutrients.

These promising findings show that pericytes have the potential to be used to grow bioengineered grafts that behave like an artery and will grow with the child’s heart. The ultimate aim is for these grafts to be used by cardiac surgeons to correct heart defects in babies and reduce the need for multiple traumatic operations. The research is ongoing and the team is working on a more ambitious plan to create a synthetic blood vessel where layers of gels are seeded with pericytes and other cells from the umbilical cord. This would be a definitive solution for the correction of blood vessel defects in babies and adults.

Exercise to reduce heart disease risk: which type of exercise programme is most suitable for people with a kidney transplant?

Professor Nicolette Bishop

Loughborough University and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

£147,805

A kidney transplant can transform the life of someone with kidney failure, but these patients have a high risk of heart disease. Regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle for everyone and can lower the risk of heart disease, however, there are no exercise guidelines designed specifically for kidney transplant patients. This is because there is no research evidence about what is safe and effective, and exercise guidelines for the general population may not be appropriate.

Before the effects of exercise on heart disease risk in kidney transplant patients can be assessed, the suitability of different exercise programmes needed to be determined. This was a feasibility study that looked at the willingness of patients to take part in three different exercise programmes, and whether they successfully followed and completed the programmes.

All three exercise programmes were performed three times each week for eight weeks. Two involved different durations of alternating short bursts of high and low intensity exercise (known as High Intensity Intermittent Training, or HIIT) and the third consisted of continuous moderate intensity exercise.

This is the first study to report the feasibility of HIIT in kidney transplant patients and all 20 participants who completed the exercise programmes increased their aerobic fitness. Also, there were promising reductions in blood pressure, a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Specific criteria considered key for progressing to a larger trial were co-produced by researchers, clinicians and patients. This is very important as it provides vital information about how to maximise participation in future, larger exercise studies, thereby increasing their success so that they can provide robust, impactful data.

This takes us a step closer to having the evidence-based exercise guidance that patients and healthcare teams want and need. Also, importantly, there were no adverse events or safety issues which should reassure patients and their healthcare teams.

Heart Research UK awards £250k COVID-19 Research grant to University of Glasgow

A project at the University of Glasgow that is aiming to better understand the effects that COVID-19 infection has on blood vessels and blood pressure has received a grant of £250,000 from national charity Heart Research UK. Research has shown that people who are older, obese, male or those who have other medical problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or chronic lung conditions, have a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is very common with more than one quarter of adults in the UK affected. The virus causing COVID-19 enters the body’s cells through a receptor called ACE2 which is found in the lungs, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, liver, and bowel. ACE2 is very important for maintaining many of the body’s important processes including blood pressure, inflammation, and wound healing.COVID-19 can also cause damage to the walls of the blood vessels which makes the risk of blood clots higher and this has been seen more often in people with high blood pressure. The reasons for this are not yet known which is why we need to understand more about the links between COVID-19 and high blood pressure. This study, which will be led by Professor Sandosh Padmanabhan, Professor of Cardiovascular Genomics and Therapeutics, aims to answer whether:

High blood pressure makes COVID-19 infection worse and if so, why.

COVID-19 infection makes high blood pressure worse and if so, why.

Monitoring and management of high blood pressure needs to be a greater priority during the pandemic.

Prof Padmanabhan (L) and team

The study will look at routinely collected health records for people in the West of Scotland who attended hospital or had a positive test for COVID-19 between April 2020 and April 2021. This will be compared to the records of patients who attended hospital during 2019, for another reason. They will also look in detail at a group of people with high blood pressure. Prof Padmanabhan’s team will also study a group of people that have recovered from COVID-19 infection. They will undergo blood pressure monitoring, and tests of heart and blood vessel health. These tests will be repeated after 12 and 18 months to see if there have been any changes. They will be compared to a group of people who have not had COVID-19.Finally, the study will look at markers in the blood (biomarkers) with the aim of identifying any which are linked with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or death in COVID-19.This study will give us a better understanding of the links between COVID-19 infection and high blood pressure, and help to improve the long-term outcomes for survivors of COVID-19. Also, the findings may lead to recommendations on the monitoring and management of blood pressure during the pandemic. Prof Padmanabhan said: “The current COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has exposed unexpected cardiovascular vulnerabilities at all stages of the disease. The mechanism by which the SARS-CoV-2 virus causes infection is believed to directly and indirectly affect the cardiovascular system potentially resulting in new-onset hypertension, heart failure and stroke and represents an insidious feature of long-COVID. “The burden of hypertension as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown, but given the scale of the infection especially among the young this will be a major concern for the future. In this project, we plan to generate valuable evidence that will inform hypertension management strategies and reduce cardiovascular risk for survivors of COVID-19.”

Heart Research UK pledges over £500,000 for COVID-19 research

Given the overwhelming response to our new COVID-19 research grant, we have decided to fund three new research projects to investigate how COVID-19 affects the heart and circulatory system – an investment of over half a million pounds. Research has shown that people with cardiovascular conditions, including high blood pressure, have a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19.

COVID-19 can also cause ‘new’ damage to the heart and blood vessels in people who have no pre-existing disease. Heart Research UK’s new grant scheme was designed to fund pioneering research to investigate these links and improve outcomes for patients suffering from COVID-19 who may have underlying cardiovascular problems.

The grants have been awarded to Newcastle University, the University of Dundee and University of Glasgow. The University of Dundee project, led by Professor Faisel Khan, Professor of Cardiovascular Sciences, will study whether inflammation in the body caused by COVID-19 contributes to long-term damage to the blood vessels. The project at the Newcastle University, which will be led by Professor Ioakim Spyridopoulos, Professor of Cardiovascular Gerontology, will investigate long-term inflammation of the heart in COVID-19 patients. It is hoped that the findings will guide immune-therapies to prevent heart inflammation and therefore reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications in patients recovering from COVID-19. The project at the University of Glasgow, led by Professor Sandosh Padmanabhan, Professor of Cardiovascular Genomics and Therapeutics, is aiming to answer whether:

High blood pressure makes COVID-19 infection worse and if so, why.

COVID-19 infection makes high blood pressure worse and if so, why.

Monitoring and management of high blood pressure needs to be a greater priority during the pandemic.

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said: “We have known for some time that people with pre-existing heart problems are more susceptible to suffering severe consequences from COVID-19, as well as the virus being able to damage the heart itself.

“However, there is a gap in the research here, and Heart Research UK is very proud to be funding three cutting edge projects that are aiming to help us better understand the most pressing medical challenge in a generation.

“The research we fund has one aim – to benefit patients as soon as possible. We are hopeful that these projects will help to bring about tangible improvements in the way we care for those with COVID-19 and cardiovascular issues.”

Heart Research UK launch special grant to investigate links between COVID-19 and heart disease

We are proud to announce that we has launched a new grant of up to £250,000 for research projects investigating the relationship between COVID-19 and heart disease.

People with existing cardiovascular disease have a higher risk of severe complications from Covid-19 infection, and evidence is emerging that the virus can cause damage to the heart.

There is a pressing need to improve our understanding of the links between COVID-19 and the cardiovascular system, including how COVID-19 infection influences heart disease and whether it changes the ways in which we treat patients.

Helen Wilson, Head of Research at Heart Research UK said: “There is a real need for research into the effects of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system. More and more, we are seeing compelling evidence that this virus can cause long term damage to the heart, and that people with existing heart conditions are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill with Covid-19.

“Therefore, research is vital to better understand this disease, and improve the ways that we treat and care for patients so that we can potentially save more lives.

“Heart Research UK has always been at the cutting edge of research into heart disease, and we are proud to be playing our part in the fight against COVID-19.”

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK, said: “This year has shown us the true importance of medical research. It is the only way that we hope to be able to improve the treatment and care on offer to people affected by heart disease.

“With this brand-new grant, we are hoping to support research that is going to have a timely and lasting impact on the lives of people that are at risk.

“Heart Research UK has always focused on benefitting patients as soon as possible, and through this grant, we hope to be able to improve the treatment and care on offer to people suffering from heart disease.”

As a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), Heart Research UK uses a rigorous scientific review process to ensure that only the best research projects in universities and hospitals are funded.

The Medical Review Panel advises the Charity on which research projects to support and is made up of scientists and clinicians from research institutions across the country.

For more information on the Heart Research UK COVID-19 Research Grant, and to submit an application for your research project, please visit https://heartresearcho.wpenginepowered.com/covid-19-grant/

Research Works – National Heart Month

To mark World Heart Month, throughout February we will be sharing the stories of some of our supporters and how research has changed their lives. You can read each of their stories below. In 2003 London taxi driver Dan Burgess experienced a life-threatening aortic dissection, which is a tear in the aorta – the major artery that takes blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Aortic dissection is a fatal condition for many patients and kills more people in the UK each year than road traffic accidents.

Against the odds, Dan survived and went on to found Aortic Dissection Awareness UK & Ireland, the national patient association for aortic dissection, which supports people affected, campaigns to raise awareness and works to improve diagnosis and treatment.

Thanks to research, Dan is still with us and his work has benefitted many other patients too.

“I didn’t know whether she would survive. I sat praying the entire time that she would pull through.”

Imogen was only six months old when doctors realised her chest infections were much more serious than they thought. She had a seven-hour long operation to correct a rare heart condition and then was put on a life-support machine.

Thanks to research, Imogen is living a happy and healthy life.

“So many people are living with genetic heart conditions without knowing.

I was the first to discover it was in the family. I used to love high intensity exercise and had no idea I was putting myself in danger. I was on a run one morning when my heart went into VT (ventricular tachycardia­ – a heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia) caused by abnormal electrical signals in the lower chambers of the heart).

I was very lucky that I didn’t have a cardiac arrest.

Thanks to research I now have an ICD in my chest that keeps me safe should my heart go into a dangerous rhythm again. I’m just happy to be here.”

Rebecca Shorrocks suffered a heart attack in 1995, then I needed to undergo heart surgery in 1997.

“I’m still here, and that’s down to research.

Through the years, I’ve taken lots of medication for my heart, and it works wonders.

I’m still here 25 years later, and that’s down to research. I was told I would have 10, maybe 15 years, but I’m still going strong.

I live life to the fullest and just enjoy life now.”

Hugh Moncrieff, discovered that he was suffering from Atrial Fibrillation.

“Not too long ago, I struggled to walk very far and my breathing was terrible. I went to see my doctor, who thought I was having a heart attack, and the specialists in hospital ran tests and kept me there for over a week.

Atrial fibrillation was suspected amongst other things. They put me on a course of medication, and told me I would most likely need an operation. I was advised to lose weight and exercise.

I took on some Heart Research UK challenges, and I have now lost 6 stone and been discharged from hospital, with no operation required, and I’m raising a bit of money to give back to them to carry on the work that had saved my life.”

Developing new MRI techniques for microscopic insights into heart muscle structure

Professor David Firmin and Dr Andrew Scott, Royal Brompton Hospital and Imperial College London

£106,043

During a heart attack some of muscle cells of the heart may die or be damaged. This often leads to this part of the heart wall becoming thin and not contracting as well as the rest of the heart.

Doctors can look at the heart using several different scanning methods to measure the damage caused by a heart attack but one new method shows the changes in much greater detail. The new method, called diffusion tensor cardiovascular magnetic resonance (DT-CMR), could give doctors important new information on what happens to the heart after a heart attack, helping them decide on the best treatment for each patient. Without DT-CMR, this information about the heart muscle on a microscopic level is only available in a lab from pieces of muscle cut out of the heart. However, the pictures from DT-CMR have not been detailed or sharp enough so far to show the thin heart wall damaged by a heart attack.

This PhD project developed a DT-CMR method that collects data and builds up the picture over several heart beats to provide greater detail and sharpness. They made these improvements by recording pictures along spiral paths rather than the more traditional MRI way that collects pictures along a snake-like path from bottom-left to top-right. There are several down-sides to these spiral methods but Professor Firmin’s team successfully developed new ways to overcome these issues.

The team carried out studies in healthy volunteers and patients who had suffered a heart attack in the past to compare the new spiral DT-CMR method they had developed with existing ones. They showed that the new spiral method produced greater detail and sharpness, and that it revealed differences between the regions of the hearts damaged by a heart attack and other regions of the hearts.

The extra detail and sharpness that the new method gives is important as it means that researchers and doctors can study the hearts of patients with thin heart muscle, which is a feature of many heart diseases. The method may provide earlier diagnosis, new information on how diseases affect the heart and novel insights into treatments.

Professor Firmin’s team continues with their cutting-edge work on spiral DT-CMR methods and expects them to be used in the future to help doctors decide on the best treatment for each patient.

Developing a new blood test to identify high-risk patients following treatment for a heart attack

Professor Ioakim Spyridopoulos, Newcastle University

£29,980

The coronary arteries supply the heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood and a heart attack is usually caused by the blockage of a coronary artery. This starves the heart muscle of oxygen and the heart may be permanently damaged.

The death rate from heart attacks has significantly fallen over the last decade and more people are surviving heart attacks. This is partly due to advances in treatment, including coronary angioplasty and stent implantation to re-open the blocked coronary artery. However, 20 per cent of patients who undergo this procedure have a higher risk of developing heart failure in the future.

The aim of this project was to develop a blood test to identify high-risk patients using a new technology called ‘droplet digital PCR’. The technology was used to investigate whether tiny molecules, called microRNAs, may be useful as ‘biomarkers’ to predict which patients are at future high risk. Some of these microRNAs are released into the blood stream from damaged heart muscle soon after patients have undergone stent treatment to re-open a blocked coronary artery.

The research team measured blood levels of more than 2,000 microRNAs during the first three hours following stent implantation to treat a heart attack. They found two microRNAs which could predict a bad outcome following a heart attack and which therefore have the potential to act as biomarkers.

Further research in larger number of patients is now needed to assess whether these markers can predict risk and recovery after a heart attack. If successful, this may lead to a blood test to help doctors identify which patients are at higher risk of developing heart failure so that they can be closely monitored and given further treatments.

The benefits of breaking up prolonged sedentary time on heart disease risk in people with spinal cord injury

Dr Daniel Bailey, University of Bedford

£86,434

Prolonged periods of time spent being inactive and sitting (sedentary) increases the risk of heart disease even if the person is active at other times. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in people with spinal cord injury which may be because they are highly sedentary.

This research looked at whether breaking up prolonged periods of sedentary time with short regular bouts of activity can lower heart disease risk in people with spinal cord injury. The study measured heart disease risk markers over the course of a single day with participants either remaining sedentary or breaking up their sedentary time with two minute bouts of arm cycling exercise every 20 minutes.

The study found that breaking up sedentary time led to a reduction in blood sugar levels compared to uninterrupted sedentary time. High blood sugar levels increase the risk of heart disease so these findings suggest that this exercise regime may help reduce the risk of heart disease in people with spinal cord injury.

A large proportion of people with a spinal cord injury don’t take part in enough moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise to benefit their health. Breaking up sedentary time may therefore be an important addition to the traditional structured exercise guidelines as it may be more achievable for people.

In the long term, these findings will help to develop new physical activity and clinical care guidelines that health professionals can use to help people with spinal cord injury lower their risk of heart disease.

 

A more comprehensive lipid test to assess cardiovascular disease risk

Professor Manuel Mayr, King’s College London

£98,808

It is well-known that risk factors such as obesity, smoking, lack of exercise, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, assessment of these traditional risk factors fails to predict CVD in certain patients.

People tend to have a lipid blood test to help calculate their risk of developing CVD which relies on measurements of just four classes of lipid and in some CVD patients levels can be within the recommended range.

The aim of this project was to develop a ‘lipid profiling’ test that can measure a wider range of different fats and ‘lipoproteins’ in the blood to better identify people at increased risk of CVD.

The team’s work first measured more than 100 different lipid species in nearly 700 individuals and associated these measurements with CVD outcomes over a 10-year observation period. This research complemented this lipid profiling work by analysing the protein component of ‘lipoproteins’ that bind lipids and help to transport them in the blood. The findings provide evidence that the advanced techniques used by the team can reliably detect and quantify a wider range of lipids and lipoproteins, and that some of these may be promising new ‘biomarkers’ for assessing CVD risk.

Professor Mayr’s team now plans to develop the lipoprotein profiling test further. A more comprehensive test for CVD prediction than the traditional measurements of lipid classes currently used, could help with early diagnosis and prevention through lifestyle changes or medication.

 

Development of a novel biological medicine for heart attack

Professor Ken Suzuki, William Harvey Research Institute

£88,489

Despite recent medical progress, heart attack and resulting heart failure are still major causes of death and disability in the UK. Research has shown that the heart contains cells called ‘macrophages’; these cells are usually involved in our immune system but also have an important role in repair and regeneration of the heart after a heart attack.

Using a laboratory model which mimics heart attack in humans, this project investigated the effects of a naturally-occurring messenger chemical, called Interleukin-4 (IL-4), on macrophages and the heart.

The findings show that IL-4 stimulated macrophages and was an effective treatment for heart attack. Also, the study optimised the dose and timing of the treatment, showing that IL-4 was effective when given in the early stages following heart attack and that the benefits lasted for a long while, with no side-effects being seen.

These promising results show that IL-4 has potential as a safe and effective new biological drug for the treatment of heart attack. Prof Suzuki is now planning further studies to help progress the drug towards clinical trials in the future.

Making every donor heart count

Mr Steven Tsui, Royal Papworth Hospital

£249,612

Heart transplantation is by far the best treatment for people with advanced heart failure but there is a lack of suitable donor hearts. In the UK, the number of patients on the waiting list for a heart transplant has more than doubled in the last ten years.

Hearts are generally donated by people who have died from strokes or massive brain injury. However, the effects of brain death together with conventional ways of managing the donor and of retrieving the heart often result in injury to the heart. As a result, less than 30 per cent of donated hearts are accepted by doctors for transplantation.

The aim of this project was to develop techniques to limit injury to donor hearts after brain death, so that a greater proportion can be used for transplantation. The research team put together special apparatus that could be used to rest the donor heart before retrieval by supporting the circulation of the donor, as well as keeping the donor heart beating outside of the body after retrieval. Also, they showed that a new surgical technique could be safely carried out to retrieve donor hearts without having to interrupt the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart.

They then compared donor hearts managed in the conventional way with donor hearts managed with the special apparatus and new surgical technique. This showed that donor hearts appeared to beat more strongly with the new apparatus and surgical technique suggesting that there was less injury to the donor heart.

This exciting research may lead to better use of valuable donor hearts, fulfilling the wishes of more donors and their families who have generously offered organs for transplantation. Above all, it would give more patients who are dying from severe heart failure the chance of a life-saving heart transplant.