Australian Arrhythmia and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Research Collaborative (ASCARDIA)

Research Overview
The Australian Arrhythmia and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Research Collaborative (ASCARDIA) aims to improve the understanding and treatment of heart rhythm disorders and sudden cardiac arrest in Australia. Our research team aims to improve the understanding and treatment of heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), sudden cardiac arrest, and risk stratification for sudden cardiac death and heart rhythm disorders in various medical conditions. Atrial fibrillation is the commonest sustained heart rhythm disorder in adults. The incidence and prevalence is increasing globally. Atrial fibrillation confers increased risk of stroke, heart failure and mortality. There are multiple traditional and newer risk factors associated with development of atrial fibrillation, which includes cardiac valve disease, ischaemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and sleep apnoea. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains a significant public health concern. It is estimated that more than 30000 people experience a cardiac arrest event in Australia each year. It is a devastating event, not only resulting in the victim’s tragic loss of life, but significantly affecting the rest of the family. We have 2 priority research areas: Heart Rhythm Research To improve the understanding and care of heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmia) that affect Australians. This includes atrial arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular arrhythmias. Sudden Cardiac Death Research To increase the understanding of mechanisms of sudden cardiac arrest and SCD in Australians, improve risk stratification in diseases associated with SCD, and improve outcomes in victims of cardiac arrest.

Research Overview

The Australian Arrhythmia and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Research Collaborative (ASCARDIA) aims to improve the understanding and treatment of heart rhythm disorders and sudden cardiac arrest in Australia.

Our research team aims to improve the understanding and treatment of heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), sudden cardiac arrest, and risk stratification for sudden cardiac death and heart rhythm disorders in various medical conditions.

Atrial fibrillation is the commonest sustained heart rhythm disorder in adults. The incidence and prevalence is increasing globally. Atrial fibrillation confers increased risk of stroke, heart failure and mortality. There are multiple traditional and newer risk factors associated with development of atrial fibrillation, which includes cardiac valve disease, ischaemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and sleep apnoea.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains a significant public health concern. It is estimated that more than 30000 people experience a cardiac arrest event in Australia each year. It is a devastating event, not only resulting in the victim’s tragic loss of life, but significantly affecting the rest of the family.

We have 2 priority research areas:

Heart Rhythm Research

To improve the understanding and care of heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmia) that affect Australians. This includes atrial arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular arrhythmias.

Sudden Cardiac Death Research

To increase the understanding of mechanisms of sudden cardiac arrest and SCD in Australians, improve risk stratification in diseases associated with SCD, and improve outcomes in victims of cardiac arrest.

ASCARDIA Team
Research Collaborative Head: A/Prof Han Lim is an academic cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist at Austin Health, Melbourne, and the University of Melbourne. He leads the Electrophysiology (EP) service and research program at Austin Health, University of Melbourne. The research collaborative has a special interest in sudden cardiac death, atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias and other heart rhythm disorders. Research Team: Dr Jim Cameron Dr Thalys Sampaio-Rodrigues Dr Dominic Chow Dr Benjamin Cailes Ms Jessica D’Lima Dr Rafael Lee Dr Mishka Amarasekara Medical Students and Research Scholars: Ms Emily Li Ms Gabrielle Wang Mr Eddy Wu Ms Claira Lee

ASCARDIA Team

Research Collaborative Head:

A/Prof Han Lim is an academic cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist at Austin Health, Melbourne, and the University of Melbourne. He leads the Electrophysiology (EP) service and research program at Austin Health, University of Melbourne. The research collaborative has a special interest in sudden cardiac death, atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias and other heart rhythm disorders.

Research Team:

Dr Jim Cameron

Dr Thalys Sampaio-Rodrigues

Dr Dominic Chow

Dr Benjamin Cailes

Ms Jessica D’Lima

Dr Rafael Lee

Dr Mishka Amarasekara

Medical Students and Research Scholars:

Ms Emily Li

Ms Gabrielle Wang

Mr Eddy Wu

Ms Claira Lee