University of Adelaide - Impact of Giving 2022 - Flipbook - Page 7
The multi-disciplinary team at the Centre for
Heart Rhythm Disorders study is at the forefront
of developing new and innovative approaches
for atrial fibrillation, performing research from the
laboratory all the way through to clinical trials.
This essential research ensures that cardiologists
have access to the best possible treatments and
management strategies for patients with AF.
Neil Paulett, patient
and beneficiary of the
research undertaken
by Professor Prash
Sanders and the
Centre for Heart
Rhythm Disorders
Critical for this progress is support from
industry partners like Medtronic, a leading
healthcare technology company working
to advance medical treatments for many
conditions, including heart rhythm disorders.
“We’ve brought a number of clinical trials to
the University of Adelaide through the Centre
for Heart Rhythm Disorders, including the first
in human implant of a percutaneous injectable
loop recorder in 2013, which provided an
opportunity to better understand the capability
of this technology in identifying episodes of atrial
fibrillation and potential stroke prevention.”
Together, Professor Sanders’ team at the Centre
for Heart Rhythm Disorders and Medtronic
are creating new solutions for AF patients, and
delivering insights into newly-developed technology
to make it accessible to patients sooner.
“This collaboration is
essential for our group –
Medtronic is an essential
industry partner that
allows us to progress our
fundamental work and get
solutions out to patients
as soon as possible,” said
Professor Sanders.
Impact of Giving
“Medtronic is a mission-driven company and our
corporate values closely align with the Centre for
Heart Rhythm Disorders. Our mutual commitment
to improving the lives of patients has been the
foundation of our relationship for over a decade,”
said Bradley Watson, a representative of Medtronic.
Saving Neil
Diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) 10 years
ago, Neil Paulett (R D Oen 1972) was in a
constant state of fatigue, struggling to breathe
and with little energy to perform even the
simplest tasks. After prescribed medications
from his GP failed to manage the symptoms,
Neil was referred to Professor Prash Sanders.
“From our first meeting Prash was determined
to halt my AF and initially told me what I had
to do with my lifestyle to assist him and his
team to get the right outcome,” Neil said.
“I am in awe of Prash and his team. If they weren’t so
passionate and dedicated to constantly progressing
this research, which led to a targeted ablation on my
heart that has now given me two years free of AF,
people like me may not even be here.”
“My life now is wonderful. I
can, and do, exercise very
regularly. My heart is in great
order, my mind is at ease and
I am comfortable and happy
in my world,” Neil said.
1 in 4 individuals over
55 years develop AF
Source: Elliott AD, et al. Nature
Reviews Cardiology 2023
7