Funded Research
The Irish Heart Foundation is not advertising for new research applications in 2012.

Reports and Claims
MS Word Templates for currently funded projects are available to download:
Final Report
Progress Report
Quarterly Application for Research funds

Irish Heart Foundation funded research projects:

•  Is LRG superior to Natriuretic Peptides in screening for asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction in an at-risk population?
• The Effect of Sex Hormones on Lymphocyte, Adipose Tissue and Vascular Tissue Inflammation in Men with Obesity or Cardiovascular Disease.
•  Heart Directed Targeting of microRNA Mimics using Liposome Microbubbles and Ultrasonic Delivery to Reduce Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy and the Onset of Heart Failure.
• 'Extending the limits of risk estimation: The SCORE II Project'.
• To characterise the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the bleeding risk associated with use of protamine sulphate following cardiac surgery'.
• The Dublin Carotid Atherosclerosis and Stroke Study (DUCASS).
• The role of myeloid cells that express CSF1 Receptor in the aetiology of coronary instent restenosis and the evolution of a therapeutic strategy.
• Use of the Coronary Heart Attack Ireland Registry (CHAIR) database for surveillance of Acute Coronary Syndromes.
• Cardiac Angiogenesis: “Cell Based Bypass” of chronic vascular occlusions.
• Elevated heart rate as a cardiovascular risk factor in the general, post-myocardial infarction and stable coronary artery disease populations.
• Choice of antihypertensive agent in newly diagnosed patients and in those patients not responding to therapy.
• Development of the endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) assay as a novel approach to characterizing global coagulation status in patients with arterial thrombosis.
• FAME – a randomised controlled trial of family mediated exercise intervention following stroke.
• Analysis of neutrophil migratory potential as a predictive marker of human cardiac transplant rejection.
• Long term adherence to cardiovascular therapy in the Irish population.
• 'Enteric coating as a factor in aspirin resistance'.
• Interrogating the platelet: A novel approach to understanding female cardiovascular risk.

John Feely Bursary supported by Abbott Healthcare Products. Funded research projects:

• An Audit of Heart Failure Care in General Practice.
• The effect of a chest pain assessment unit on preventative therapies and hospital outcomes.
• A study of Renal Denervation therapy in patients post aortic coarctation repair with persistent hypertension despite optimal medical management.
• Determination of platelet function in acute stroke patients, using a rapid assessment assay.
• Blood pressure patterns and subclinical cardiovascular disease.
• Development of a novel collagen-fibrin tissue engineered heart valve.

Noel Hickey Bursary supported by Pfizer Healthcare. Funded research projects:

• ‘Is antiplatelet therapy effective in Ireland’?
• Polymorphisms in the Advanced Glycation End-Product (AGE) Receptor Gene and Arterial Stiffness in a Hypertensive Population.
• A Baroreflex Stimulating System for diagnosing and investigating Neurocardiovascular causes of Carotid Sinus Syndrome in the Elderly.
• Evaluation of a novel weight management culinary programme for overweight cardiac patients: a randomised controlled trial.
• Psychological factors in predicting children’s food choices: A developmental analysis.
• Stroke survivor’s personal morbidity - a study exploring patients’ perceptions of their health status post stroke.
• The effects of eplerenone on markers of collagen turnover in diastolic heart failure.
• Standard and advanced Echo techniques to assess the right and left heart in endurance and non-endurance athletes with and without Ventricular Arrhythmias.
• Device-guided slow breathing to lower blood pressure-a novel non-pharmacological approach to management of hypertension: predictors of anit-hypertensive response.
• Home monitoring of sleep in heart failure patients. A novel method of assessment of clinical deterioration.
• Measuring changes in quality of life before & after cardiac surgery, and the significance of participation in cardiac rehabilitation.
• The acute effects of dietary monounsaturated fat on arterial stiffness in patients with untreated hypertension.
• Investigating the role of B-type natriuretic peptide in identifying patients at risk of developing diabetic cardiomyopathy.
• Relationship between salt intake and nighttime blood pressure, nocturnal dipping and arterial stiffness in a large hypertensive population.
• Community knowledge of the risk factors and warning signs for stroke, pre and post an education session: a pilot study.
• Acute Kidney Injury and NGAL (Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin) urine protein release in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)- the use of novel biomarkers in predicting short- and long-term clinical outcomes.
• Psychosocial adaptation to stroke in young adults: a qualitative, longitudinal analysis.
• The role of Serum Amyloid P-Component in the prevention and treatment of diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure.
• Implementing clinical guidelines in stroke: a qualitative study of perceived facilitators and barriers.
• Examination of the role played by spatial cognition in navigation, balance and gait, and falling occurrences in elderly and stroke patients.
• An analysis of social and psychological predictors of transitions in physical activity patterns during adolescence.
• An analysis of the sensitivity and specificity of biomarkers associated with myocardial damage for measures of cardiac function in a high risk screening population for cardiomyopathies.
• Community based remote screening for the detection of atrial fibrillation in high risk patients.