UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science
People
Research Lead
Contact us
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust
Great Ormond Street
London WC1N 3JH
Heart Failure Department – Suki Mallan
+44 (0)20 7405 9200 x6704
Heart Transplant Department – Heather Titmus
+44 (0)20 7405 9200 x8563
Heart muscle disease
Overview
The heart muscle team have developed research across the spectrum of paediatric cardiomyopathy, heart failure and heart transplantation. The Paediatric Cardiomyopathy Unit link with the UCL Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Unit and have developed collaborative research. The Paediatric Heart Failure team have focussed on advanced heart failure and is exploring the epidemiology of paediatric heart failure in a multicentre study, as well as studying biomarkers and novel therapies including stem cell therapies. Our heart transplantation research work is centred on allograft vasculopathy which include investigations into the aetiology, and novel imaging studies such as coronary MRI and intravascular ultrasound.
Key research activities
Aetiology of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy
The role of inflammation is being studied with Nigel Klein at the Institute for Child Health. The team are also looking at the importance of viruses particularly Cytomegalovirus. Both studies are prospective. Funding has been from British Heart Foundation and Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.
Contact - Leads Matthew Fenton and Michael Burch
Imaging of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy
This project investigates non-invasive coronary imaging in children post heart transplant. The project is a joint GOSH/Evelina Children’s Hospital project. Funding is from St Thomas’ charitable trust.
Contact - Leads Dr Gerald Greil (Evelina) and Dr Michael Burch (GOSH)
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Cardiac Genetics
The projects will look at outcomes and risk factors in paediatric Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. We are also defining the cardiac phenotype and identifying molecular genetic lesions in paediatric long QT, Noonan, Ehlers- Danlos, and Marfan Syndromes.
Contact - Lead Dr Juan Pablo Kaski
Epidemiology of Heart Failure
This is a national study under the British Congenital Cardiac Association. It is a long term follow- up study of a cohort of children that were hospitalised in the UK and Ireland.
Contact - Lead Dr Rachel Andrews
Bone Marrow Stem Cells
This is a project funded by the Welton Foundation and GOSH Charity. It is a randomized study of bone marrow derived stem cells delivered by in intracoronary injection to children with impaired heart muscle function/heart failure. The project will finish in 2012.
Contact - Leads Dr Michael Burch and Dr Sian Pincott
Role of Prox-1 in Heart Failure
This project analyses myocardial samples from children with end stage heart failure for Prox-1. Funding is from MRC.
Contact - Leads Paul Riley and Michael Burch
