Heart, Lung and Circulation – latest articles. Hot off the Press
Cardiac Amyloidosis: New Treatments Hold Promise for Early Intervention
A 2024 Australia–New Zealand Expert Consensus Statement on Cardiac Amyloidosis (CA) is now published in Heart, Lung and Circulation. CA is a multi-system condition in which amyloid proteins deposit in multiple organs, including the heart, where this infiltration can lead to symptoms of heart failure, conduction block, and arrhythmias. Endorsed by CSANZ, and co-authored by Bart, Fatkin, Thomas, and others, the Statement outlines recent advances in non-invasive diagnosis, and targeted, disease modifying therapies, including gene editing techniques. The Statement advocates for early referral to a specialist amyloidosis centre for advanced testing and therapy, and active enrolment into clinical trials.
https://www.heartlungcirc.org/article/S1443-9506(24)00123-9/fulltext
Robotic-Assisted PCI: Initial Australian Clinical Experience
As part of the run-in phase for an upcoming randomised clinical trial, Sydney-based researchers have reported their early experience with robotic-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (R-PCI). All procedures—in 21 patients with a total of 24 lesions—were performed with the CorPath GRX second-generation robot; and, in most cases, were safe and effective, with manual conversion required in four cases. Robotic assistance is designed to allow “millimetre”, and thus more accurate, manipulation via the operator touchscreen; however, some manual inputs at the patient bedside are still necessary, such as when achieving vascular access and performing diagnostic angiography. Among their findings, the researchers observed a short learning curve; with increasing operator and assistant experience, there was less radiation exposure.
https://www.heartlungcirc.org/article/S1443-9506(24)00049-0/fulltext
Before Cardiac Catheterisation: To Fast or Not To Fast?
Although cardiac catheterisation is recognised as the current gold standard test for diagnosing and managing carotid artery disease what is less established is whether fasting is necessary before the procedure. A single-centre prospective cohort study conducted at the Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand (and during the COVID-19 pandemic, no less), has determined that the local policy of no longer fasting patients before the procedure was well-regarded and preferred by the surveyed patients themselves, and seemed safe. The study authors said larger, multicentre studies would be warranted to support an international policy change from fasting to not fasting before cardiac catheterisation.
https://www.heartlungcirc.org/article/S1443-9506(24)00004-0/fulltext
Compiled by Dr Ann Gregory, Commissioning Editor, Heart, Lung and Circulation.
NZ CSANZ ASM | Register for Christchurch
The CSANZ New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting 2024 is to be held from Thursday 13 June to Saturday 15 June 2024.
Read more about the International keynote speakers here
Planning is under way for a full educational program, with CSANZ working group workshops, nurses symposium and registrar meeting on Thursday, and the Scientific Meeting opening on Friday 14th June. Enjoy the social activities surrounding the meeting providing a great opportunity to network!
Register Now – early bird discounts closing on 15 April 2024.
A randomised controlled trial of Early valve replacement in severe ASYmptomatic Aortic Stenosis
A new clinical trial called EASY-AS (A randomised controlled trial of Early valve replacement in severe ASYmptomatic Aortic Stenosis). EASY-AS is a non-commercial clinical trial funded by the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund and is looking to randomise patients with severe but asymptomatic aortic stenosis to either have their aortic valve replaced early in the absence of symptoms, or the usual pathway of valve replacement if and when symptoms present.
Download the EASY-AS Clinician Flyer v4.0 28-03-2023 to read more about the trial and how to get involved or scan the QR code below.
Dr Victoria Nankivell talks about her project as winner of the Ralph Reader Prize in Basic and Translational Science
Dr Victoria Nankivell talks about her project as winner of the Ralph Reader Prize in Basic and Translational Science
Dr Aravinda Thiagalingam interviews Dr Victoria Nankivell, Post-doctoral Scientist at South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. Victoria’s winning abstract presentation is on “Multifunctional porphyrin-lipid nanoparticles – novel nanoscale theranostics for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease”.
Australasian Cardiac Outcomes Registry (ACOR) | 2024 UPDATE
ACOR is looking forward to a big year ahead!
The execution of the Australian Transcatheter Valves Therapy Registry (ATVT) Agreement with SAHMRI will see the TAVI Registry converge from a singular Registry into a four-valve Registry. This has been over a year in the making, and we are very excited to see the projects and opportunities that come from the creation of this new Registry, including new databases that incorporate the mitral, pulmonary and tricuspid heart valves.
Currently, there are 52 TAVI sites, with two more onboarding and 17,685 cases (as of 23/10/2023) entered into the Registry since commencement (April 2018).
ACOR continues to seek funding opportunities and looks forward to an exciting year ahead.
Read more about the Australasian Cardiac Outcomes Registry at acor.net.au
Alana Carpenter, Project Officer for ACOR (above left) is about to have her first baby and will be on maternity leave from Friday, 23 February 2024. We wish Alana and her husband Scott well and look forward to seeing baby photos soon!
We are delighted to welcome Jessica Casley (above right), as the interim ACOR Project Officer. Jessica comes from an administration background and has a Bachelor of Science (Physiology) from Monash University. Jessica previously worked at Cabrini Health and the University of Melbourne. She brings with her strong experience in project co-ordination and administrative support, as well as a passion for health and scientific research.
VALE | Dr David Hunt, MBBS, FRACP, FCSANZ, DDU, FACC
It is with deep regret that we note the passing of Dr David Hunt, MBBS, FRACP, FCSANZ, DDU, FACC, who died at his home in Melbourne on Thursday 11 January 2024. On behalf of the Cardiac Society Board and members, we would like to extend our sincere sympathies to his family and CSANZ colleagues.
Image courtesy: Planning retirement from practice – Dr David Hunt discusses his career and retirement from his life long work on Youtube (RACP Channel) Dr Hunt’s own photo found in the CSANZ’s historical record of Cardiology of Australia and New Zealand, section 5.4 on the Royal Melbourne Hospital (contributors Dr David Hunt and Dr Alan Goble).
Heart, Lung and Circulation | Editor in Chief
Prof Robert Denniss (outgoing Editor in Chief) and A/Prof Salvatore Pepe (new Editor in Chief).
On behalf of the Society we offer our congratulations to A/Prof Salvatore Pepe as the incoming Editor in Chief of the Heart, Lung and Circulation Journal (HLC) for the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS). Read more about A/Prof Pepe here.
We would like to acknowledge and thank Prof A.R. (Robert) Denniss for his extensive service as Editor in Chief of the HLC. Prof Denniss first joined the CSANZ in 1988, served on the CSANZ Board from 2012-2022 as the appointed Editor in Chief of the HLC.
During his tenure, he created insightful initiatives: including the appointment of editorial fellows, a commissioning editor, introduction of prizes for best review and high impact, and establishing a HLC session at the CSANZ ASM in conjunction with the European Heart Journal and other international publications. Also during his time as Editor in Chief, the journal published 132 issues, 17,330 pages, 2,620 manuscripts, 25 scientific meeting abstracts and presented 38 awards. Read more about Prof Dennis here.
We are grateful for Prof Denniss’ valuable contributions over the past 11+ years as Editor in Chief and CSANZ Board Member.
MBS UPDATES: Two New Diagnostic imaging services
Commencing 1 July 2024, two new diagnostic imaging MBS abdominal MRI items will be available for patients with a defined rare inherited condition associated with an increased risk of renal tumours, as well as ongoing assessment of changes over time to an existing renal tumour. This implements a recommendation from the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC):
The MBS listing for cardiac MRI for myocarditis associated with mRNA COVID-19 immunisation (Item 63399) has been extended until 31 December 2024. MSAC is currently considering cardiac MRI in the diagnosis of myocarditis more broadly, which is anticipated to be considered in April 2024: