Research
The Emory Cardiovascular Biobank was established to investigate the genetic basis of oxidative stress, vascular dysfunction, cardiovascular disease and stroke. The biobank contains over 5000 blood specimens that are stored for DNA, RNA, proteomics, metabolomics, and biomarker assays. Biobank samples are obtained from patients undergoing cardiac catheterization at Emory University Hospital, Grady Memorial Hospital, and the Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center. Samples are continually collected and IRB approval for this study is renewed on an annual basis.
ECCRI Investigator, Arshed A. Quyyumi, MD, is at the forefront of research into the use of stem cells for the treatment and repair of damaged heart and vascular tissue. ECCRI is currently involved in a number of studies investigating the use of stem cells as a possible therapy for cardiovascular diseases including peripheral arterial disease, myocardial ischemia, acute MI, and heart failure.
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, however, that burden is disproportionately higher in many racial and ethnic groups. Investigators at ECCRI are involved in a wide array of studies designed to better understand the physiological, psychosocial, and environmental causes of cardiovascular disease disparities.
Heart Failure is one of the leading causes of hospitalization in the United States. As the population ages, it is crucial to better understand Heart Failure and discover novel treatment options. ECCRI researchers are conducting several studies as one of only 19 centers participating nationally in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Heart Failure Clinical Research Network (HFCRN). In addition, ECCRI is conducting several industry-funded and investigator-initiated clinical trials to discover innovative methods for the detection and treatment of Heart Failure.
This research group is led by Dr. Neal Dickert and conducts research focused on ethical issues relevant to cardiology practice and clinical research. In the area of research ethics, this group has conducted projects related to clinical research in acute care, recruitment for clinical trials, and the ethical aspects of study design. This group also conducts research related to shared decision-making in clinical cardiology.
It is well established that emotional stress, anger, depressed mood and other psychological states can trigger acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death in susceptible individuals.
ECCRI is at the forefront in the emerging sub-specialty of Sports Cardiology. Researchers are studying the cardiovascular adaptations that are unique to different athletes of all levels and working to translate those findings into better clinical care. With increased understanding of the biophysical changes that take place due to intense athletic training, investigators are providing insight into the impact of exercise on cardiovascular disease which could lead to future application in the general population.
Vascular dysfunction often precedes development of vascular disease, and ultimately precipitates hypertension, atherosclerosis and their complications. ECCRI researchers are using a translational approach to characterize the molecular pathways that modulate vascular health to determine the combined effects of genetics, race, environmental, and psycho-social risk factors on the vasculature.
Despite overall improvements in heart disease screening, detection, and treatment, more women die from heart disease compared with men. ECCRI faculty are studying the unique pathophysiologic factors in women that increase heart disease risk and whether or not the current diagnostic and treatment standard of care is as effective for women as it is for men.
The Emory Cardiovascular Imaging & Biomechanical Core (ECBC) is a collaborative effort between Georgia Tech and Emory University where interventional cardiologists, engineers, mathematicians, post-docs, cardiovascular fellows, bio-statisticians along with graduate students and international scholars work together on ground breaking research in cardiovascular medicine and gain vital experience in various aspects of research methodologies.