Programme(s) to which this project applies: |
☒ MPhil/PhD | ☑ MRes[Med] | ☒ URIS |
Objective and Significance:
Valvular heart disease (VHD) is common in our locality. However, the natural progression and optimal timing for valvular surgery is poorly defined. The aim of the project is thus to evaluate the clinical demographics, echocardiography parameters and novel serum markers that may improve risk stratification in patients with significant VHD before surgical correction. The study is part of the Chinese Valvular Heart Disease Study (CVATS) to evaluate Chinese patients with VHD with numerous publication lead by the supervisor.
Research Plan and Methodology:
All patients referred to QMH for valvular surgery will be recruited (around 250-300 patients per year). Clinical parameters, blood taking and echocardiography will be assessed in detailed. Currently, the database, established since 2012, has over 800 patients and thus clinical outcome can be retrieved accordingly.
Highlight for MRes Student
The MRes student thus have ample exposure to patients with various valvular disease. Further, echocardiography, an important non-invasive cardiac assessment, will be taught during the attachment. This will enable MRes student to better understand the structure of the cardiac system as well as mastering this imaging modality to prepare for future medical training. Important clinical data will also be generated to better improve risk stratification and define the optimal timing of valvular surgery.
Professor KH Yiu, Department of Medicine
Professor Yiu received his undergraduate degree in 2001 and completed his Cardiology specialty training in 2008 at the Queen Mary Hospital. He subsequently joined the University of Hong Kong in 2011 as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Cardiology and been promoted to Clinical Associate Professor at the Department of Medicine in 2015. He has completed his Doctor of Medicine degree (HKU) in year 2012 and PhD in 2016 at the Leiden University, the Netherlands on “Clinical application of cardiac imaging: echocardiography and computed tomography”. He has prolifically published over 130 peer-review original articles in international peer-review journals. Among these, he was either first or corresponding author in 45 of them; including 9 articles with impact factors exceeding 5 (Maximum 15). In addition, Professor Yiu has acquired the clinical skills of transcatheter aortic valvular implantation (TAVI) in year 2010 in Lepzig, Germany and had performed over 40 procedures during his stay in Leiden.
His research interest is based on the advanced imaging technique in the cardiovascular system using novel echocardiography techniques and computed tomography. By using these imaging techniques, he was able to identify subclinical cardiovascular abnormalities that improves management of patients with or at risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, he has established and led three important research study projects, namely the Chinese Valvular Heart Disease study (CVATS), the Chinese Diabetic Heart Disease Study (CDATS) and the Chinese Rheumatology Heart Disease Study (CRADS). He is the first and corresponding author of 3 original articles based on the CVATS of which one of them was published in Circulation and was awarded with the “Distinguished Research Paper Award for Young Investigator 2014: Hong Kong College of Physician”. He is the first and/or corresponding author of 6 original articles and 1 review article on CDATS. In addition, he is the first and/or corresponding author over 10 original articles and 1 review article on CRADS. Based on the ground work from these 3 important study consortiums, Professor Yiu has secured 3 GRF grants and 1 HMRF grant, with a total of over 5 million HKD, in the past 5 years.
His clinical interest includes interventional cardiology (coronary and structural) and cardiac imaging. He is also leading the cardiology service in the HKUSZ-hospital and currently the deputy COS of the Department of Medicine, HKUSZ hospital.
For more information or to express interest for this project, please email the supervisor or the specified contact point in the project description. Interested candidates are advised to enclose with your email:
Information on the research programme, funding support and admission documentations could be referenced online at the Research Postgraduate Admissions website. General admission enquiries should be directed to rpgmed@hku.hk.
HKUMed MBBS students interested in the Master of Research in Medicine (MRes[Med]) programme may visit the programme website for more information.
HKUMed UG students interested in the Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme (URIS) may visit the scheme’s website for more information.
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