11 Nov 21. BCCA Young Investigator award

Congratulations to Dr Alex Fletcher who’s abstract received the Young Investigator prize at the British Congenital Cardiac Association conference.

Dr Alex Fletcher, Clinical Research Fellow presented at the recent virtual British Congenital Cardiac Association (BCCA) conference.

His presentation, “Medial microcalcifiation in thoracic aortopathy: a window into disease severity”, received the Madeleine Steele Young Investigator Award.

Medial microcalcifiation in thoracic aortopathy: a window into disease severity. (14.23 KB Word)

Alex explains: Microcalcification of the middle layer of the aorta is associated with underlying disease processes & can be imaged non-invasively using positron emission tomography (PET). In an international collaboration, we examined specimens from patients undergoing aortic aneurysm surgery & determined that mild/moderate disease is associated with increased microcalcification.

On the other hand severe disease was found to be associated with almost total loss of microcalcification linked with aortic wall breakdown & weakness, & renders PET a promising tool for identifying those at highest risk of aneurysm complications.

We asked Dr Alex Fletcher his thoughts on receiving this award.

"I’m absolutely honoured to win the Madeleine Steele Young Investigator Award at the BCCA annual conference.

The team has worked very hard over the last few years & the recognition of our research means a great deal to me. It will undoubtedly help in progressing/expanding the research we are doing, & hopefully improve the care patients with congenital heart disease receive.”