We are conducting ongoing research in these areas:

  • Outcomes research in heart valve surgery
  • Use of laser transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) techniques for end-stage coronary artery disease
  • Re-operations for coronary artery or valve disease
  • Use of stentless valves for valve replacement
  • Left ventricle remodeling after heart valve surgery
  • Comparison of CAT scanning to cardiac catheterization as a non-invasive alternative for pre-operative evaluation of heart surgery patients. Our Heart Valve Center surgeons and radiologists from the cardiac imaging division have done clinical research and authored a series of publications that demonstrate the benefits of non-invasive imaging using resolution approaches found in few other institutions. This diagnostic clinical research is being used to further the field of understanding heart disease, making surgery safer, minimizing invasive procedures for patients and facilitating the next generation of care for individuals with heart valve disease.
  • Use of the ventricular assist devices, including the Jarvik Heart, as a bridge to heart transplantation
  • Ventricular assist devices as destination therapy
  • Methylene blue for Vasoplegia syndrome after cardiac surgery
  • Alternative ways to support patients with the heart-lung machine. For example, axillary cannulation in certain conditions can reduce the risk of neurological complications which are sometimes a result of heart surgery