Project Summary
Creating new blood thinners with lower bleeding risks that successfully bust stroke causing blood clots, ultimately saving lives.
What is the issue for NSW?
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in NSW. Thousands of people in our state are hospitalised every year, many patients die, and others have long term severe disability. Outcomes for many groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, rural populations, and women are particularly bad. Having a safer drug that could be administered to patients while in the ambulance could save numerous lives. It could also be a highly beneficial treatment for more isolated populations that may struggle to get to specialised stroke hospitals on time. This includes rural populations and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who are more likely to live rurally and are also more likely to have a stroke in the first place.
What does the research aim to do and how?
Our research aims to characterise the effectiveness and safety of these drugs. Measuring how well these drugs can thin the blood, break down stroke causing blood clots in arteries, and even the potential to prevent formation of the initial blood clot. We will also observe the bleeding risk of these drugs compared to existing blood thinners used in clinics to ensure they are safe to be used in stroke patients.