The predictive value of molecular and imaging markers for future cardiovascular events and outcomes

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The aim of this project is to investigate the molecular and imaging phenotype of the human vessels and fat, in order to advance understanding of the predisposition to cardiovascular disease and to possibly produce novel predictors of cardiovascular events. The project will rely on the Oxford Heart, Vessels and Fat (OxHVF) cohort, which consists of a cluster of studies including participants ranging from patients with advanced coronary artery disease undergoing surgery to healthy participants with risk factors but no cardiovascular disease. The comprehensive bio resource of the OxHVF cohort supplies access to biopsies of human fat, arteries, veins and myocardium, as well as to a rich cardiovascular imaging database, mainly using computed tomography (CT) imaging. The project will attempt to exploit and combine data from all aspects of the cohort, towards its aim. At first, a genomic/transcriptomic screening will be applied so as to unveil novel signatures of the human vascular wall that reflect increased oxidative stress. These signatures alongside well-established redox measurements will then be tested for their incremental value in predicting cardiovascular death and other adverse events, including but not limited to, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and post-operative atrial fibrillation. In addition, using data derived from CT imaging analyses, the project will explore the role of the imaging profile of the vessels and fat in capturing underlying molecular pathology and/or predicting disease development and progression. Candidate radiomic markers can be next explored and further validated using resources of the Oxford Academic Cardiovascular CT Unit.This project is expected to give insight into the predictive value of markers of oxidative stress in death and major adverse cardiovascular events, as well as lead to the discovery of imaging biomarkers for predicting cardiovascular oxidative stress and disease.