ACS researcher Jessie van Wezenbeek together with Aida Llucià Valldeperas and Frances de Man from Amsterdam UMC, have won the American Heart Association (AHA) 2024 Paul Dudley White International Scholar Award for their abstract titled, “BMP10 as a Novel Marker for Right Atrial Dilatation and Pressure in Precapillary Pulmonary Hypertension.” The award honors the highest-ranked abstract from each country submitted to the AHA's Scientific Sessions, recognizing Dr. Paul Dudley White’s legacy as a preventive cardiology pioneer. The team was acknowledged during the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2024 in Chicago, Illinois, USA, November 16-18, 2024.
The abstract
In precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH), the right atrium experiences increased pressure overload and stretch. BMP10, a protein primarily produced in the adult right atrium and a ligand for the BMPR2 receptor—a key genetic contributor in pulmonary arterial hypertension—may play a crucial role in this process. The team’s findings reveal that BMP10 levels are elevated locally in the right atrium and systemically in precapillary PH patients. Furthermore, increased BMP10 activity was linked to greater right atrial dilatation and pressure, suggesting its potential role in right heart adaptation. Future research is needed to explore triggers of BMP10 secretion in the right atrium and unravel whether BMP10 could be a treatment target or marker for right heart adaptation in precapillary PH.
The award
The Paul Dudley White International Scholar Award recognizes the team of authors with the highest-ranked scientific abstract from every participating country for each AHA scientific meeting.
Paul Dudley White was one of the founders of the AHA and a champion for heart health who pioneered preventive cardiology. Since 2017, the Paul Dudley White International Scholar Award has promoted Dr. White’s vision for excellence in cardiovascular and brain health science.
For more information on the award visit: Paul Dudley White International Scholar Award - Professional Heart Daily | American Heart Association
Source: The American Heart Association