Our Research

Aortic Aneurysm Research

Dr Liu from The Centenary Institute with her Baird Institute colleagues published in Circulatory Research, 2017: ‘ARHGAP18 protects against thoracic aortic aneurysms formation by mitigating the synthetic and proinflammatory smooth muscle phenotype’. This leading paper looks at the gene responsible for building our blood vessels. Understanding how genes influence aortic aneurysm development will help identify a cure for this devastating blood vessel anomaly.

Dr Sherrah, a recipient of The Baird Institute Medtronic Research Scholarship, published a pivotal paper in the Journal of American Cardiology 2016: ‘Nonsyndromic thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection outcomes with Marfan Syndrome versus bicuspid aortic valve aneurysm’. This exacting review identified the significant differences in disease processes that affect the Aorta and require surgery. Surgeons and researchers globally have used this analysis to examine their own results to ensure better patient outcomes.

Surgeon and Professor Paul Bannon (chair of The Baird Institute), and fellow board member and cardiologist, Richmond Jeremy are working with Professor Grieve (a scientist and Radiologist) at The Charles Perkins Centre to investigate blood flow in the abnormal ascending thoracic aorta, with the assistance of a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant. This research blends with studies made possible due to the establishment of an Aortic Tissue Bank and Database at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; allowing research into cardiac disease processes and surgical care.