MonashHeart research improving outcomes for cardiac patients at risk of stroke

Dr Rashid and leading cardiologist Dr Gregg Stone,
Director of Cardiovascular Research & Education,
Columbia University Medical Center &
New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Senior MonashHeart cardiology registrar and Monash University PhD student Dr Hashrul Rashid was recognised for his research into thrombosis, receiving the highly competitive Best Oral Abstract Award at TCT Asia Pacific in Seoul, South Korea last month.

TCT Asia Pacific is the largest interventional cardiology conference in Asia Pacific and Dr Rashid won the award against eight international finalists from Europe and Asia.  He was awarded the prize by a five-panel member consisting of leading cardiologists from USA, Europe and Asia.

Dr Rashid’s abstract, titled “CT-defined subclinical leaflet thrombosis following bioprosthetic aortic valves are associated with adverse cerebrovascular events ” was recently published in Europe’s highest impact interventional cardiology journal, Eurointervention.

“In a world-first, MonashHeart has proven that subclinical leaflet thrombosis (a blood clot on the heart valve) diagnosed with cardiac CT is associated with increased rates of stroke and transient ischaemic attacks,” Dr Rashid said.

Dr Rashid and MonashHeart are now involved in looking at cardiac and coagulation biomarkers in predicting subclinical leaflet thrombosis following transcatheter aortic valve replacements, in collaboration with Monash Haematology.

Dr Rashid has been selected to present a separate oral presentation at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich, Germany later this year on the effect of prosthesis valve design in the development of subclinical leaflet thrombosis.

Dr Rashid acknowledges the senior author of this study, Dr Adam Brown, and his PhD supervisors, Professor James Cameron and Associate Professor Arthur Nasis for their ongoing guidance and support in his research endeavors.