Pioneering biomedical researcher honoured

A Monash University Professor of Medicine has been awarded the most prestigious science award in the state of Victoria.

Professor Murray Esler, a clinical cardiologist based at the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute and the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne was recognised for his groundbreaking research into the sympathetic nervous system.

Professor Esler, whose work continues to change the practice of medicine, was presented with the Victoria Prize by the Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser in July.

The biomedical researcher has pioneered new ways of treating heart failure, stress and high blood pressure.

His first major breakthrough was the discovery that over-stimulation of the heart by the sympathetic nerves in cardiac failure is a major cause of death.

This research changed medical treatments and underpinned the introduction of beta-blocking drugs, a class of drugs that are often life-saving.

Since then, Professor Esler and his colleagues have gone on to show that in patients with high blood pressure, the over-stimulation of the kidneys by sympathetic nerves commonly initiates and sustains blood pressure elevation.

This research has led to the development of a revolutionary and promising new treatment for severe high blood pressure using a radiofrequency catheter placed in both kidney arteries.