Research

• An important focus within the group is Cardiac Research. The medical team has their specialist areas of research and have completed a range of post graduate degrees including MScs, MPhills, and PhDs in cardiac medical research. The cutting-edge cardiac research produced room within the cardiac imaging and research departments by the Heart-Scan^TM team has been published and presented in nationally and internationally renowned journals and medical conferences.

• The heads of the centre Professor Lahiri and Dr. Lipkin are not only actively involved in medical research themselves by being faculty in the University of London medical schools but they also promote cardiac research within the cardiac imaging and research centre, nationally and internationally.

• Our chief focus is the early detection of coronary heart disease and diabetes by developing novel biochemical markers as well as new cardiac imaging techniques.

• We are provided funding and support from our links with in UK NHS trusts and University as well as members of the pharmaceutical industry.

- University and NHS trusts: Queen Mary's and Imperial College London (University of London), Ealing and Hammersmith NHS Hospitals, Central Medical NHS Hospitals, Northwick Hospital, Royal Free Hospital.

- Pharmaceutical Industry: Bristol Meyers and Squibb, GE Health Care, Pfizer.

A full list of publication research can be found here.

Brief Summary of Current Research Programs

1) Early Detection of Coronary Heart Disease in Diabetics

A unique research project has been completed where electron beam CT (EBCT) imaging and nuclear imaging techniques have been used to detect “ Silent Coronary Disease” in 510 asymptomatic diabetic patients, taken from 4 NHS Clinics, this research has received national and international acclaim.

Summary of findings

Patients with type 2 diabetes have a 2 to 5 fold greater annual risk of CHD. Using the above techniques in this patient group we have shown a greater burden of unrecognised or silent coronary heart disease (approximately 45% of patients evaluated in the study had evidence of coronary calcium deposition but were asymptomatic). Furthermore diabetic patients with increased coronary calcium deposition had a higher likelihood of blockages in the blood vessels of the heart. This trial demonstrated that it may be worthwhile to screen for heart disease in diabetics using Heart-Scan^TM since measuring conventional risk factors did not accurately identify  those patients at risk of heart attacks.

2) LOLIPOP Atherosclerosis Project

Indian Asians (South Asians; i.e. peoples originating from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) are at high risk of heart attack (coronary heart disease). The reasons for this are not clear. In this large trial, apparently healthy Indian Asians and Northern Europeans will be studied using electron beam CT coronary calcium scans (Heart-Scan^TM). This is a collaborative trial with Ealing and Hammersmith Hospitals, Northwick Park Hospital and Imperial College.

3) EBEAT

The effect of cholesterol lowering therapy on calcium in the arteries of the heart has not been well studied. In this multi-centre study, the effect of two doses of an important cholesterol lowering agent (atorvastatin 10mg and 80mg) is being studied. This trial is sponsored by Pfizer UK.

4) CV Therapeutics 5131 Study

The Department performs many myocardial perfusion scans; these scans are used to assess whether enough blood is flowing to the heart. As part of this test, it is often necessary to use a drug called dipyrimidole. Unfortunately, dipyrimidole often has side effects. A new compound with fewer side effects has been developed by CVTherapeutics Inc. and is being tested in the Department as part of a multi-centre study. A similar drug being developed by Bristol Myers Squibb Medical Imaging Inc. will be evaluated in a future multi- centre trial.

Future Trials :-

5) Whitehall Trial

Many civil servants have been studied for many years as part of a national study called the Whitehall study. For the first time, subjects in this study will be studied using coronary calcium imaging, to objectively determine the amount of coronary heart disease present and examine the factors which influence the development of disease.

6) Diabetic Follow-up Study

In a previous study, the Department examined how many diabetic patients had unsuspected heart disease. This follow up trial will examine how disease progresses, and the factors which influence progression of disease.

Publication from our department can be found here:-

Evaluation of patient at risk from heart disease by Heart-Scan^TM - click here

Review article on Heart-Scan^TM click here

Editorial on Heart-Scan^TM click here

Role of Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in acute coronary syndromes - click here

Best stress myocardial perfusion imaging protocol for risk stratification - click here

Screening for myocardial hibernation in heart failure - click here

7)The role of non-invasive imaging in the risk stratification of asymptomatic diabetic subjects - click here   

© 2008 Heart-Scan^TM - The Future of Disease Detection

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