Dr. Sonali Gnanenthiran, a cardiologist at TGI and Concord Hospital, delves into her pioneering research on the LOTUS Trial (LOw dose anti-hypertensive combinations to improve stroke oUtcomeS), with Prof Anthony Rodgers serving as co-PI on the project.
Spotlight on:
Dr Sonali Gnanenthiran, Senior Research Fellow George Institute, Cardiologist 鈥 Concord Hospital
In this resesarcher profile, Dr Sonali Gnanenthiran explores how low-dose anti-hypertensive combinations and nurse-led telehealth monitoring could transform stroke prevention. Additionally, Dr Gnanenthiran shares how seed funding has been instrumental in advancing her work and offers a glimpse into her personal interest outside the lab.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I'm a cardiologist at The George Institute for Global Health and Concord Hospital. I did medicine at 麻豆社madou originally. My clinical and research interests include cardiovascular disease prevention, cardiovascular disease in ageing populations, blood clotting and high blood pressure. I am involved in clinical trials, as well as laboratory research.
Tell us a bit about your your funded research project 鈥淟OTUS Trial: LOw dose anti-hypertensive combinations to improve stroke oUtcomeS鈥
High blood pressure (BP) is the most treatable risk factor for preventing cardiovascular events in people who have had an ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack. However, only 1 in 3 Australian stroke survivors achieve control of BP which drives the high rates of recurrent cardiovascular events and associated costs, estimated at $32 billion per annum. There is an urgent need to improve pathways for stroke prevention in Australia. We are undertaking a multicentre randomised clinical trial to determine if a new simplified stroke model of care can substantially improve BP control in ischaemic stroke survivors. This would represent a transformative change since most Australian patients do not achieve effective risk factor control. The new model will comprise: - low-dose combination therapies for BP lowering; - nurse-led telehealth monitoring with medication up-titration based on home BP monitoring. We will utilise single pill combination treatments of a novel low-dose triple BP and low-dose statin-ezetimibe combination (versus usual care) to simplify care and improve outcomes without any increase in adverse effects. This new model will engage patients in BP management and promote clinician action through partnerships between doctors, nurses and consumers.
Why is CVMM's Seed funding important?
Seed funding helped us to start the pilot trial and supported consumer engagement to develop the trial design. We were able to leverage this and ultimately received funding from both NSW Health (~$0.45 million) and the Medical Research Future Fund of Australia (~$2.46 million) to conduct a national large-scale trial.
Just for fun, what have you been watching?
I have been watching episodes of 鈥楬ouse鈥 lately! The plot lines are great but the diagnostic processes are certainly not what we use in real clinical practice. We also aim to have a much better bedside communication with patients!