Investigating the influence of myofibroblast coupling on cardiac conduction and infarct electrophysiology
The normal heartbeat is coordinated by electrical impulses which spread rapidly through the heart. During a heart attack a blood vessel in the heart is blocked and the tissue supplied by that vessel may die, becoming replaced by scar tissue. Electrical impulses through this scar are slow and disrupted, which can trigger the abnormal heart rhythms that cause sudden cardiac death. Implanting a defibrillator, which shocks the heart to stop these abnormal rhythms, is currently the only treatment. However, they are often painful, not always beneficial, and can carry a psychological toll on the person affected. Scars in the heart contain lots of cells called myofibroblasts. Professor Smith and his team of researchers believe that myofibroblasts contribute to the slowing of the electrical impulse through the scar, therefore playing a crucial role in triggering abnormal rhythms. For the first time, they will use advanced imaging technology to study myofibroblasts in live scarred hearts in mice. The insights from this research may help to develop new treatments that change the electrical properties of the scar to prevent people suffering abnormal heart rhythms after a heart attack.
Project details
| Grant amount | £274,769 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Project Grants |
| Application type | Project Grant |
| Start Date | 15 September 2017 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | PG/17/12/32847 |
| Status | In Progress |
