Category: Articles

A genetic variant of myosin binding protein C, cardiac (MYBPC3), can predispose South Asians to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), but early screening could lower its incidence. Sakthivel Sadayappan, PhD, MBA, professor, division of cardiovascular health and disease and director of the heart branch of Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute, University of Cincinnati Medical Center (UC Medical

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In the hands of experienced operators and high-volume transradial catheterization centers, transradial coronary angiography and intervention offer improved patient comfort, decreased access-site complications, and lower costs without compromising procedural success or long-term outcomes.

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The Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease of the University of Cincinnati (UC) Medical Center is the first in the United States to study the AlterG ® Anti-Gravity Treadmill Pro 2001 to diagnose cardiovascular diseases and conditions. Myron Gerson, MD, emeritus professor of medicine, UC Medical Center, and Patrick Daly, MD, who recently completed his cardiology

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Endovascular repair of ruptured aortic aneurysms or aortic trauma repair has become the standard of care in recent years, overtaking the traditional open approach.

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PCSK9 inhibitors are a new class of drugs, not yet FDA-approved, that have been shown to dramatically lower LDL cholesterol levels. Three clinicians discuss their potential. Video includes comments by Dylan Steen, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, and UC Health cardiologist. View the video.  

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A recent study of over 2,000 patients clearly demonstrated that patient participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was associated with a significant reduction in mortality rates.1 A large national survey, however, estimated that only an average of 28% of eligible patients were receiving CR.2 This underutilization is due to many factors,

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Heart function and blood pressure in mice exposed to bisphenol A (BPA) from birth though young adulthood are affected differently in males and females, with females at greater risk of damage from stress, a study from a University of Cincinnati (UC) researcher has found.

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The University of Cincinnati Medical Center is preparing to formally launch a Cardio-oncology Program, in response to substantial unmet needs to mitigate risk of acute and delayed cardiomyopathy resulting from cancer treatment.

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Dr. Richard Becker, Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease; and Director, and Physician-in-Chief, of the University of Cincinnati Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute, commented on phase II results of the CIRCUS trial while recently attending the European Society of Cardiology Congress. View the video.

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A University of Cincinnati researcher has found that Bisphenol S (BPS) in consumer products may have similar toxic effects on the heart as previously reported for Bisphenol A (BPA).

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The Arrhythmia Center at the University of Cincinnati (UC) Medical Center, undergoing significant upgrades, is unique in its nationally and internationally recognized electrophysiology group which encompasses strong clinical performance, education and research. Alexandru Costea, MD, professor of medicine, director of the Center for Electrophysiology, Rhythm Disorders and Electro-mechanical Interventions, is leading this multi-faceted cardiac program.

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After a presentation at the American College of Cardiology conference, Richard C. Becker, MD, American Heart Association spokesperson, discusses findings from the Pegasus Trial, also known as TIMI 54. Dr. Becker is the Mable Stonehill Endowed Chair, Professor of Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and Chief, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease at

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Used for decades as a tool in the treatment arsenal for cardiogenic shock, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is being taken to a whole new level in about 100 shock programs in the United States, where unprecedented survival rates are beginning to be achieved.

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A 35-year-old male presented to a Dayton area hospital with two days of chest pain. He was taken to the cath lab where a left heart catheterization revealed 100% proximal occlusion and 100% left circumflex occlusion. He developed pulseless electrical activity (PEA) arrest, underwent cardiopulmonary support/advanced cardiac life support with return of spontaneous circulation within

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The EkoSonic Pulmonary Embolism (EKOS®) System is “so effective, even for the most complex cases, that it’s hard not to use it for all patients with pulmonary embolism [PE],” says Timothy Smith, MD. Dr. Smith, an interventional cardiologist, is director of the cardiovascular ICU and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Cincinnati Medical

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The growth of transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVRs) and MitraClips has been “revolutionary,” says Satya Shreenivas, MD, assistant professor and director of the structural heart disease program at the University of Cincinnati Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute. The Institute’s focus is implanting heart valves nonsurgically by transcatheter aortic valve replacement as well as nonsurgical repair

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Researchers at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center (UC Medical Center) are investigating the use of facial muscle-derived progenitor cells – masseter muscle cells – to regenerate cardiomyocytes damaged by cardiovascular disease. Current therapies, such as medications, bypass surgery and donor hearts do not repair or replace cardiomyocytes and come with additional risks such as

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University of Cincinnati Heart, Lung & Vascular Institute has introduced a video series known as Scholarvision. Researchers from the Institute and cardiology fellows discuss innovation, medical breakthroughs and the latest technology and treatment options related to cardiovascular medicine.

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Determining how the protein human antigen R (HuR) is activated, its function after activation, and possible association with cardiac hypertrophy are the goals of a study funded by a $1.7 million National Institute of Health (NIH) five-year grant recently awarded to Michael Tranter, PhD, and principal investigator for the study. Initial findings show that the

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Evangelia (Litsa) Kranias, PhD, Hanna Professor and director of cardiovascular biology in the University of Cincinnati Department of Pharmacology and Cell Biophysics, was honored at the annual meeting of the International Society for Heart Research (ISHR) North American Section.

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Over the course of their careers, many clinicians have seen HIV/AIDS progress from extremely high short-term mortality to chronic, long-term disease management. As HIV patients are living longer with antiretroviral therapy, it is becoming clear that the virus increases risk of cardiovascular conditions.1 The Randomized Trial to Prevent Vascular Events in HIV (REPRIEVE) study will

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The American Heart Association (AHA) developed Mission: Lifeline® to transform cardiac outcomes for patients with both STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) and NSTE-ACS (non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome) by connecting healthcare providers, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, and community residents.1 University of Cincinnati (UC) Medical Center has participated in Mission: Lifeline® since 2007. In the Spring of 2014, with

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Although more adults than children are living with congenital heart disease (CHD) because of advances in treatment and technology, this good news has a potential downside. Adults with CHD will experience complications as they age, yet only 39% continue to see a cardiologist, and most are “lost to follow-up.”1 For women in the latter category,

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University of Cincinnati (UC) Medical Center has developed a collaborative program for treating adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD), integrating highly skilled and experienced adult academic health system physicians and clinicians at UC Health with peers from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC). Due to breakthroughs in surgical treatments, most children with complex CHD now reach

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Dear Colleagues, At the University of Cincinnati Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute, we continue to grow in the areas of cardiovascular research and care by taking our findings and other key insights from the field and translating them into real treatments to help our patients each day. In this issue of Cardiovascular Insights, we highlight

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The University of Cincinnati has bolstered its Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute in recent months by hiring heart surgeons and scientists to fill seven new positions. Meet the new physicians.

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Dr. Richard Becker, Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease; and Director, and Physician-in-Chief, of the University of Cincinnati Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute, discusses the supportive results from the OPTIDUAL study and his approach to patients who have had stents implanted. View the video.

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Patients who suffer cardiac arrests outside of hospitals generally die. Mortality is 90%, according to 2013 data reported by the American Heart Association (AHA).

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According to Alexandru Costea, MD, radiofrequency catheter ablation can be more effective than the standard, current treatment of antiarrhythmic medications in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF). It is well known that in patients with AF but not HF, the benefits of radiofrequency catheter ablation are significant, with success rates ranging from

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Early and accurate diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) has never been more important, and University of Cincinnati Medical Center enhanced its own diagnostic capability by adding cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) with CT attenuation correction using rubidium-82 (Rb-82) in December 2014. The medical center has been using cardiac PET with a nitrogen-13 ammonia as

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  Although the most current European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend that patients at very high cardiovascular risk maintain a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of <70 mg/dL (<1.8 mmol/L), a recent study demonstrated that most patients from a French population do not meet this goal.1 One of the main causes is the chronic and widespread

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Saad Ahmad, MD, cardiology fellow at the University of Cincinnati Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute, interviews Jack Rubinstein, MD, assistant professor in the UC College of Medicine, about his research that involves repurposing drugs for heart failure patients originally made for other conditions. Findings in his lab have accelerated the move from bench to bedside.

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The University of Cincinnati Heart, Lung, and Vascular Institute (HLVI) will soon initiate a three-year Mentored Research Career Development Program in vascular medicine. The goal of this initiative is to establish a comprehensive training program that will emphasize high-quality clinical and translational research in the vascular sciences, and prepare participants to serve as mentors for

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Bringing together the expertise of two academic departments, cardiology and radiology, the new Sanghvi Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging at University of Cincinnati (UC) Medical Center is a partnership that strengthens the ability to provide exceptional care to patients throughout the region. The new Center provides next-generation imaging technology and deep expertise not yet available

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Dr. Becker interviews patient Mrs. Judy Kleinmann.

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  A discussion about adult congenital heart disease with Dr. Becker, Dr. Veldtman and Dr. Brown.

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Richard Becker, MD, Director and Physician-in-Chief of the University of Cincinnati Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute, interviews Markus Gustche, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in the UC College of Medicine, and Director of the Interstitial Lung Disease Program.

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Richard Becker, MD, chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease and director, and physician-in-chief of the University of Cincinnati Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute and Michael Ritt Jaff, DO, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and chair of the Massachusetts General Institute for Heart, Vascular and Stroke Care discuss vascular medicine career

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This ScholarVision features Richard Becker, MD, chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease and director, and physician-in-chief of the University of Cincinnati Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute; Joseph Broderick, MD, director of the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute; and William Barrett, MD, director of the University of Cincinnati Cancer Institute. They discuss groundbreaking

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Richard Becker, MD and his guests discuss heart transplant.

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Interview with Josep Brugada, MD, PhD Arrhythmia Unit, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona University of Barcelona, Spain

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Interview with Josep Brugada, MD, PhD Arrhythmia Unit, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona University of Barcelona, Spain Also featuring: Alexandru Costeau, MD Professor of Clinical Medicine University of Cincinnati Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease

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Interview with: Imran Arif, MD Professor of Clinical Medicine Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease University of Cincinnati Satya S. Shreenivas, MD Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease University of CIncinnati

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Dr. Richard Becker, Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease; and Director, and Physician-in-Chief, of the University of Cincinnati Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute is joined by Dr. David Feldman, Director of Advanced Myocardial and Circulatory and Director of Clinical Services of the Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute. In this video, they discuss

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An unusually large patient cohort and state-of-the-art medical facilities have expedited rapid growth of the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Program at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. As with many other cardiac diseases, such as coronary blockages and arrhythmias, valvular heart disease is now increasingly being treated in a minimally-invasive manner. This is especially important

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University of Cincinnati (UC) Medical Center has instituted a team approach for the treatment of acute cardiogenic shock, setting it apart from most medical centers and providing a critical advantage for such acutely ill patients. “With our growing STEMI volume, the team identified the need to provide early intervention for the patient in acute cardiogenic

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Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) Medical Center are advancing the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and heart failure through the study and application of precision medicine (PM). “From the perspective of PM, a key goal involves uncovering the direct clinical relationship between genetic variants and disease phenotypes to allow for customized healthcare delivery

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The standard of care paradigm has shifted in the treatment of ischemic stroke. At present, the only thrombolytic therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA), and this treatment is only administered to a small percentage of patients due to safety concerns and temporal limitations.1 Sonothrombolysis, or ultrasound-mediated

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University of Cincinnati researchers Evangelia Kranias, PhD, Jack Rubinstein, MD, and Hong-Sheng Wang, PhD, are among the co-authors of a study recently published in the Journal of the American Heart Association identifying a genetic variant in a cardiac protein that can be linked to heart rhythm malfunction and sudden cardiac death in dilated cardiomyopathy patients.

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Join UC Health for this monthly 1-hour webinar series for researchers and clinicians in cardiology, pulmonary and vascular medicine. View details and register today.

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After receiving a five-year, $2.4 million grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), two University of Cincinnati researchers will collaborate on an investigation of gene-environment interactions during embryonic development and their consequences in adult heart disease. Alvaro Puga, PhD, of the Department of Environmental Health, and Jack Rubinstein, MD, of the Department

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Every year, approximately 10 million people worldwide, including 600,000 Americans, suffer from venous thromboembolism (VTE),1 and at least one in 12 middle-aged American adults will develop VTE in their remaining lifetime,2 says Richard C. Becker, MD. These statistics are part of the impetus for a national awareness effort—World Thrombosis Day (WTD), which is designed to

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