Improving the diagnosis of people with type 2 myocardial infarction

Refining the diagnosis of type 2 myocardial infarction (Dr Andrew Chapman)

Supervised by Professor Nicholas Mills the Clinical Research Training Fellow on this project wants to find out the causes and prognosis of heart muscle damage that is not caused by a typical heart attack. A heart attack is the result of a clot blocking one of the coronary arteries supplying the heart with oxygen rich blood. But heart muscle damage can also occur when patients are unwell with other illnesses that lower the blood supply to the heart, such as chest infections or very low blood pressure, called a type 2 myocardial infarction. These patients are at risk of long term health problems, including typical heart attacks. But it is not known how many people are affected by type 2 myocardial infarction, how best to identify them, and whether the damage might improve with heart attack medications. Professor Mills’ team will record of the typical clinical features of people who arrive at A&E with type 2 myocardial infarction, and will find out whether these can be used to predict future heart events. In a smaller study, they will be looking at 100 patients to try and find the underlying causes of heart muscle damage. The team will also find out if measuring levels of troponin using a sensitive test improves the diagnosis and outcomes for people with type 2 myocardial infarction. This research could help doctors better identify and assess people with type 2 myocardial infarction who are at higher risk of heart muscle damage, improving treatments and prognosis.