Of Central Importance: Why and how to measure central blood pressure

Of Central Importance: Why and how to measure central blood pressure

Jonathan Mynard
Research Fellow, Heart Research Group,
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

Time: 19 July 2016, 18:30 AEDT (Networking from 18:00)

Venue: The Unicorn Club, MHSOBA Melbourne High School, Forrest Hill, South Yarra

Abstract

Blood pressure measured routinely in the arm differs from the ‘central’ blood pressure that the heart has to pump against. The difference can be so large (particularly in younger individuals) that using arm blood pressure may lead to misdiagnosis of hypertension or overmedication. Large health studies in adults have also shown that central pressure is a stronger indicator of cardiovascular risk than arm blood pressure and its use may have advantages in terms of diagnosis and therapy. However, non-invasive measurement of central blood pressure is understandably challenging. This seminar will provide an overview of the techniques and commercial devices currently available for estimating central blood pressure. Current progress towards widespread clinical translation will be discussed, along with a recently commenced study at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Royal Children’s Hospital aiming to validate central pressure measurement in children.

Biography

Jonathan Mynard is a research fellow in the Heart Research group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and an honorary fellow with the Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne and Royal Children’s Hospital. With a background in bioengineering, his research focuses on developing and applying state-of-the-art analytical and imaging techniques to better understand and treat cardiovascular problems in infants and children. Specific areas of interests include cardiovascular modelling, aortic abnormalities, coronary haemodynamics, pulmonary hypertension, congenital heart disease and assessment of cardiovascular risk in children. Jonathan holds undergraduate degrees in Medical Biophysics and Electronic Engineering (Swinburne University), a Master’s degree in Computer Modelling (Swansea University, Wales) and a PhD in cardiovascular dynamics. He received a CJ Martin Early Career Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council, which funded two years at the Biomedical Simulation Laboratory at the University of Toronto (Canada), where he developed expertise in medical imaging and computational fluid dynamics. Dr Mynard is on the editorial board of Heart, Lung and Circulation and enjoys playing piano and indoor cricket (generally not at the same time).