Brandon Tillson

• Is there a relationship between LAVi and routine ECG parameters in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
• MB BS

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is an uncommon inherited heart problem. At its most mild, it may be an incidental finding. At its worst – and most famously – the first presentation can be the sudden death of a young athlete. It can place stress on the top left collecting chamber of the heart, called the left atrium. We know left atrial disease is strongly associated with an abnormal heart beat, called atrial fibrillation (AF). AF can cause fatigue and strokes. Measuring the volume of the atrium has recently been demonstrated to predict the risk of death, and developing AF. We will look for association between this rather specialist measurement, and more common measurements from a heart tracing (called an ECG), making it easier to predict whether someone with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy will develop atrial fibrillation.

Funded by: Newcastle University Research Scholarship

Project Supervisor: Dr Stephen Lord