Understanding the mechanisms by which phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition is protective against arrhythmias in heart failure (Dr David Hutchings)
Supervised by Professor Andrew Trafford, this Clinical Research Training Fellowship is investigating new ways to treat heart failure. Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle has become damaged, often after a heart attack or long term high blood pressure. As a result the heart cannot pump properly and heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias) can develop. Currently there is no way to replace the damaged tissue and restore the heart’s function, so more effective treatments for heart failure are needed. In initial studies, Professor Trafford and his team have shown that sheep with heart failure survive longer when they receive a drug that blocks an enzyme called PDE5. This drug, commonly known as Viagra, is used in people to treat erectile dysfunction. The researchers will continue their studies in sheep to confirm whether a drug similar to Viagra improves heart muscle function in heart failure. They will study exactly how the drug improves the function of the heart and stops arrhythmias by examining its effects on the heart muscle cell and the structure of the heart. This research could reveal that Viagra-like drugs can be used to treat people with heart failure and improve their quality of life.
Project details
| Grant amount | £234,885 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Fellowships |
| Application type | Clinical Research Training Fellowship |
| Start Date | 04 August 2015 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | FS/15/28/31476 |
| Status | Complete |
