Tuesday 29 September 2026
World Heart Day 2026
Australian researchers close-in on cause of kidney damage during heart-lung bypass surgery
This World Heart Day, Australian researchers are a step closer to solving the significant problem of kidney damage during major heart surgery.
In Australia, around 20,000 people undergo surgeries that use a heart-lung bypass machine (cardiopulmoinary bypass) each year, for procedures like open heart surgery. Globally, that number is as high as 2 million.
Sudden kidney failure occurs in more than 40 per cent of patients who undergo surgery with a heart-lung machine, increasing the risk of in-hospital death and chronic kidney disease, including end stage renal disease.
But that could soon change.
New research published this week in Anaesthesia journal by Professor Yugeesh Lankadeva and his team at the University of Melbourne’s Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, conducted on a large animal model, found that pre-existing heart failure causes blood flow to the kidneys to reduce by 55 percent during heart surgery.
After 48 hours, oxygen levels deep within the kidneys remain almost two-thirds lower in the heart failure group than in the healthy comparison group.
“Even mild kidney injury after heart surgery can increase the risk of chronic kidney disease or even lead to death,” Prof. Lankadeva said.
“So these findings will play a significant role in how we might prevent this type of injury in the future.”
Heart Foundation Chief Scientific and Medial Officer, Professor Derek Chew, said the findings would help to address a significant challenge of cardiopulmonary bypass.
“With thanks to Heart Foundation donors and supporters, Professor Lankadeva and his team have made an important discovery that could well pave the way to a new therapy that would help millions of people worldwide,” he said.
Next step: clinical trials of a drug to prevent kidney failure
The team of will soon move to clinical trials evaluating a new formulation of sodium ascorbate given directly into the bloodstream from the onset of surgery to prevent the development of sudden kidney failure.
Prof Lankadeva hopes that this drug will improve health outcomes for patients who currently lack any effective interventions.
Funding
The initial study to identify the cause of kidney failure was supported by a Vanguard Grant and a Future Leader Fellowship from the Heart Foundation.
The 5-year research program advancing a new disease-modifying received a $4.9 million Cardiovascular Health Mission Medical Research Future Fund grant in 2025.
ENDS
Media inquiries:
Heart Foundation Media team
