Unlocking the potential of cardiac ketones to treat heart failure

Dr Yen Chin Koay, University of Sydney

2023 Future Leader Fellowship - Level 1

Years funded: 2024 - 2027

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a type of heart failure where the heart struggles to relax as it should, is the most common form of heart failure and represents a major unmet need in cardiovascular medicine. These hearts undergo metabolic stress, which limits their ability to use glucose efficiently, leading them to rely on an alternative energy source: ketones. Building upon my recent discovery that hearts, similar to livers, can make ketones, this project proposes a fresh approach for potential HFpEF treatments. Specifically, we are looking into how a specific enzyme, linked to high blood pressure and diabetes, plays a role in this type of heart failure. We are also studying the benefits of using ketone-based strategies for treating HFpEF. By understanding the relationship between the heart's ketone production and metabolic complications in HFpEF, we aim to pave the way for new treatments for these heart issues.