2019 participants
Sophie Russell
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is disease associated with increased thickness of the wall of the heart, which increases the risk of death. People diagnosed with HCM commonly present with reduced exercise tolerance and quality of life. Factors that affect exercise intolerance (VO2) are either central/ cardiac (cardiac output) or peripheral/ skeletal (arteriovenous oxygen difference). The aim of my project was to determine which factor is implicated in HCM patients, propose pathophysiology and suggest treatment techniques. Throughout my project I obtained a large range of results but I specifically looked at the baseline results for VO2 and cardiac output. This allowed me to quantify the arteriovenous oxygen difference and therefore compare the results for controls against HCM patients. Findings showed that cardiac output was the main diminished factor for HCM patients at peak exercise and therefore treatment should be targeted in order to increase this factor.
Funding source: Newcastle University
Project supervisor: Dr Djordje Jakovljevic