MIC – Lecture: “Experimental pressure and volume overload models of the heart”

Bruno K. Podesser, M.D.

Abstract:
Most of our clinical relevant diagnosis in the heart can be described either as a consequence of pressure or volume overload. These clinical pictures include left ventricular hypertrophy due to hypertension or aortic valve stenosis as well as left ventricular dilatation due to myocardial infarction or valve regurgitation. The morphological changes go hand in hand with functional and molecular alterations and are often part of a vicious cycle, known as remodelling. At least in patients remodelling and reverse remodelling is difficult to study, understand and to treat. Animal models of  aortic constriction, myocardial infarction or valvular insufficiency can simulate the time-dependent changes that occur during remodelling and reverse remodelling. Most importantly, animals can be treated and followed over time. Thereby the results gained from the observations of these models can contribute to explain the functional and molecular alterations and lead to new therapeutic regimens.

Biosketch:
Bruno K. Podesser, M.D.
Professor of Laboratory Animal Research
Professor of Surgery
Head, Center for Biomedical Research
Medical University of Vienna, Austria

After receiving his medical degree from the University of Vienna, Bruno Podesser trained in general surgery and cardiac surgery at the II. Department of Surgery at the AKH (Prof. Wolner). With a Max Kade fellowship he went to Boston University and later, in 2001, habilitated in surgery with a special focus on cardiac surgery and became attending surgeon at the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Karl Landsteiner Private University, St. Pölten, Austria. Between 2006 and 2009 he was founding co-ordinator of the Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster for Cardiovascular Research and is until today member of the board of directors. In 2014 he was appointed Head of the Center for Biomedical Research at the Medical University of Vienna. Since 2015 he is chairing also the Ethical Commission for Animal Affaires at the Medical University.
The main areas of research are translational cardiovascular research focusing on myocardial protection and remodeling following pressure or volume overload.

https://cluster.meduniwien.ac.at/mic/