The link between chronic kidney disease and heart disease

Almost 2 million Australians are living with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Patients with chronic kidney disease are at much higher risk of developing heart complications.

Professor Selvanayagam's work focuses on how imaging tools, like MRIs, can be used to better predict and diagnose heart disease.

What is BOLD MRI?

This is a type of MRI that gives doctors the ability to check levels of oxygenation in the heart muscle. Patients with chronic kidney disease who have lower levels of oxygenation in their heart when it is placed under stress frequently go on to experience serious heart complications. 

Developing a better tool to predict which patients are at greatest risk

This project is examining how effective BOLD MRI is in predicting which patients suffering from chronic kidney disease are most likely to go on to experience a serious heart event (heart attack, stroke).

If doctors can predict which patients are at heightened risk of a heart event, they can give the patient earlier and more aggressive treatment.

Patients with chronic kidney disease often die from heart disease - this project has the potential to save lives. 

Acknowledgments

Professor Selvanayagam is affiliaited with Flinders University of South Australia and the Flinders Medical Centre