Heart attack research receives $3.5million boost

Heart attack treatment will be revolutionised thanks to Federal Government funding of more than $1.4 million to the University of Adelaide’s Professor John Beltrame.

The National Health and Medical Research Council funding of $1,499,233 will be provided over three years and project partners have pledged a combined total of $2,275,997 in cash and in-kind to the project.

“Clinical trials have provided effective treatments for acute heart attacks but the current challenge is to ensure that each patient receives the best treatment personalised to their particular situation. For example, the risks and benefits for a heart attack procedure will differ between a young patient with no other ailments and an elderly person who may have poor kidney function”, said lead investigator Professor John Beltrame from the University of Adelaide and Central Adelaide Local Health Network.

“The PAMICO Project (Personalising Acute Myocardial Infarction Care to improve Outcomes) aims to bridge this gap using sophisticated electronic data systems and integrated care teams to produce personalised clinical management pathways so that care is patient-centred and aligned with best practice.”

The PAMICO Project involves three objectives including deployment of integrated data management systems to provide personalised clinical pathways; assessing their impact on patient care with feedback to clinicians; and ensuring that recent Heart Attack Standards of Care are uniformly implemented within our hospitals.

“This funding announcement allows our researchers to deliver on our health priority and to change the outlook of those who suffer heart attacks,”Professor Anton Middelberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)

The project utilises the expertise of clinical staff from the University of Adelaide and SA Health, as well as the unique infrastructure of local South Australian public hospitals. The outcomes of the PAMICO Project are expected to have both national and international implications in the future management of acute heart attacks.

Professor Anton Middelberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) says the University of Adelaide has a strategic commitment to tackling the grand challenge of improving health and wellbeing for all society.

“This funding announcement allows our researchers to deliver on our health priority and to change the outlook of those who suffer heart attacks,” Professor Middelberg said.

Professor Lesley Dwyer, CEO Central Adelaide LHN says Central Adelaide is proud to be working with our partners the University of Adelaide on this valuable research project.

“The work of the PAMICO project closely aligns with our focus on translational research and our commitment to personalised patient centred care that improves health outcomes, and provides better services to the community,’’ she said.

“Congratulations to Professor John Beltrame, Director of Research at Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) for spearheading this research that will make a difference to the health outcomes of those suffering heart attacks.”