Biography

Professor Dudley Pennell has specialised in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for over 20 years. He is director of both the cardiovascular research centre and CMR unit at Royal Brompton Hospital.

He trained at St Thomas' and the London Chest hospitals in cardiology. Since 1987, Professor Pennell has specialised in cardiac MRI.

This video sees Professor Pennell discussing the Trust's research into dilated cardiomyopathy. 

Areas of expertise

Professor Pennell's areas of expertise include:

• dilated cardiomyopathy
• cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)
• myocardial perfusion imaging
• thalassemia

Professor Pennell's research interests include:

• gene mapping
• thalassemia
• CMR techniques

Research

Gene mapping

Professor Pennell led on a major study mapping genes associated with inherited cardiac diseases. This involved sequencing all 200 known cardiac genes found in the human genome. The Trust's NHS Genetics and Genomics Laboratory was opened in December 2011 by Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health at the time. In 2010, Professor Pennell mapped BBC medical correspondent Fergus Walsh's genes. 

Thalassemia diagnosis and treatment

Thalassemia is a more common genetic disease. It causes defects in haemoglobin production, which can result in anaemia. It is most common with those of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Southern Asian and African ancestry.

Each year, 60,000 children born inherit the condition from both parents and suffer from thalassemia major. These children need frequent blood transfusions and higher levels of medical care. These transfusions build up iron levels, especially in the liver and heart, which can lead to heart disease.

Professor Pennell is leading an international project, introducing CMR techniques across the world. This aims to increase life expectancy and quality of life for patients dealing with thalassemia.

Traditionally, blood samples or liver biopsies were used to diagnose iron build up in patients. This was until Professor Pennell and his team started using CMR imaging techniques. This technique is non-invasive and provides a more accurate diagnosis. It also helps form the basis for new treatment options.

Italian trial

Professor Pennell and his team worked with Professor Renzo Galanello at the University of Cagliari on a major study in Sardinia. This study saw 167 patients scanned using Royal Brompton's mobile 1.5 Tesla MAGNETON Sonata scanner.

Based on their results, patients received different treatments. This study showed that an orally administered chelation therapy, Deferiprone, was more effective treating iron build up. This was compared to Deferoxamine, a traditional treatment that requires injections.

Mortality for thalassemia patients

In 2000, 50 percent of UK thalassemia patients would not reach the age of 35. Professor Pennell's new techniques have reduced the mortality rate by 80 percent.

This novel iron scanning technique has been adopted in over 50 countries, including:

• Indonesia
• The United States of America
• Sweden
• Thailand
• Hong Kong
• Singapore
• Oman
• Lebanon
• Turkey
• India
• Cyprus
• Greece
• Italy
• Spain
• China

Other areas looking at installing this technique include:

• South America
• the Middle East
• South Asia
• the Far East

Teaching 

Professor Pennell gives regular lectures at key international cardiology events.

Private patient referral 

If you would like to make an appointment with this specialist for private care, contact the RB&HH Specialist care team.