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The HRI Centre for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a first in NSW, leading the way for PAD research in Australia. It was established to identify gaps in PAD pathophysiology, treatment, and patient care.

The need

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a type of cardiovascular disease due to narrowing of blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to distant sites. The reduced blood flow can affect all organs, but the common form is seen in the lower extremities, such as the legs and feet.

PAD has profoundly negative impacts on the health and wellbeing of Australians, which spills over into ever-increasing costs to diagnose and treat it.

Cur­rent­ly more than 230 mil­lion peo­ple around the world suf­fer from PAD.

PAD is a strong predictor of illness and death, potentially leading to strokes, heart attacks, and limb tissue death that may require amputation to treat. With an ageing Australian population, the prevalence of PAD is going to increase. Yet it does not impact all Australians equally, with First Nations people having a three-times higher risk of developing PAD and women having worse outcomes from its treatment.

We currently spend over $875 million annually to treat PAD in Australia. This number is predicted to grow, driven by ageing as well as persistent factors like smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity.

Our approach

The Centre for PAD is working in a new way to mitigate the negative health and financial impacts of PAD and create a more positive therapeutic experience for patients. Through our world-leading research, our vision is to enhance diagnosis, transform treatment, and raise awareness of PAD for all Australians.

The Centre acts as a hub for PAD experts spanning Sydney Local Health District’s Royal Prince Alfred and Concord Hospitals, The University of Sydney, and several research institutes. In this way, the Centre provides a way to transcend the usual silos that prevent consumers, researchers, clinicians and industry professionals from collaborating and developing new insights, tools, models, and therapies together to treat PAD.

Our team

Collaborators

  • Sydney Local Health District (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Concord Hospital)
  • The University of Sydney
  • Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
  • Centenary Institute
  • University of New South Wales
  • University of Technology Sydney

Clinical trials related to PAD

Two clinical trials in the PAD space currently seeking participants are SHAPE and MERIT.

Have your say

People living with PAD are at the heart of our work, and we invite you to join our important mission.

  • Be part of the HRI Centre for PAD community, become an ambassador and get involved in events, seminars, advocacy and clinical trials.
  • Help our researchers understand patient challenges and lived experience of PAD.
  • See the research we do and value add to make a real difference to your community.