Cardiovascular research
Project aim
To recruit high-calibre researchers who will fast-track basic findings to the bedside of patients.
Target
£2 million.
Recognising significant support
- Naming Chairs
- Naming associated Fellowships and Studentships made possible through funding the Chairs
It is frustrating to consider the enhanced level of impact our cardiovascular research could have if we were able to employ more staff to focus on translating our research to practise on the ground. We hope that the Campaign will give us the opportunity to discover just how powerful our work can be in the fight against cardiovascular disease.
Gianni Angelini,
British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiac Surgery and Chairman of the Bristol Heart Institute
Bringing cutting-edge research closer to practical treatment.
Importance
Currently, cardiovascular disease affecting both women and men accounts for almost half of all deaths in the UK (ie one quarter of million people per year).
The major problem, however, is that the number of people developing cardiovascular disease continues to increase year after year. Only through continued research will we understand why this disease became such a huge problem in the 20th century, and how we might confine it to history in the 21st.
Impact
Bristol's achievements are already changing cardiac surgery around the world. The ‘off-pump’ heart procedure developed at Bristol has replaced the conventional need for an artificial pump to keep the body alive during surgery, and is now used in over 30 per cent of heart operations.
The Bristol Heart Institute’s research has improved patient care and outcome. We are developing novel therapeutic treatment to cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure and arrhythmias.
With core personnel in these areas now in post, we need to link basic-to-clinical research programmes, which we see as essential for fast tracking new treatments for heart disease to the bedside of patients.
To expedite this process, we wish to invest in people, especially high-calibre young investigators who will specifically translate the basic science into clinical application.
Goal
We seek to create two named endowed Chairs (to be appointed to existing BHI Professors) - retaining key existing staff is as important as soliciting new recruits.
Cardiovascular research is extraordinarily competitive and our top professors are head-hunted both nationally and internationally. We must ensure that we retain these key personnel in our core areas.
Funds raised will then free up capital to invest in talented PhD and post-doctoral researchers and fast track research and to secure critical equipment.