Understanding the link between congestion, immunity and inflammation in patients with, or at risk of heart failure.
Supervisors
Dr Pierpaolo Pellicori, School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow
Professor Pasquale Maffia, School of Infection & Immunity, University of Glasgow
Dr Jocelyn Friday, School of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow
Summary
When the heart begins to fail, the kidneys retain salt and water. A build-up of water (called congestion) causes breathlessness on exertion and ankle swelling, and often requires treatment with diuretics (also called water tablets). Identifying congestion is very difficult: it usually develops slowly over weeks, or even months, and is often recognised only when it is so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalised. Congestion might also worsen kidney and heart function, leading to a downward spiral in health. Heart failure is also associated with an increase in inflammation that might cause damage to small blood vessels and other organs: congestion might be a key trigger.
In this project, we will use routinely collected electronic health records from adults living in Greater Glasgow and Clyde and combine detailed imaging of the heart, lungs and kidneys with a variety of novel and complex blood tests to better understand the sequence of inflammatory and immune events leading to congestion and more severe health problems. Better understanding, early detection and new ways of treating congestion could improve patient well-being and survival for those with overt, or yet undiagnosed, heart failure.
There will be a 30 minute Q&A Zoom call with Pierpaolo about their Project.
If you wish to receive the Zoom Call information please email precisionmedicine-dtp@glasgow.ac.uk
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