SCHOOL OF MEDICINE • DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE

Innovation introduction from Division Chief, Dr Danial Simon

In this issue of UH Heart & Vascular Innovations, we reveal the cutting-edge translational and clinical research activities that are directly benefiting patients. One of the primary goals of the University Hospitals Harrington-McLaughlin Heart & Vascular Institute is to create a premier center of excellence for heart and vascular clinical care distinguished by the groundbreaking discovery and innovation of our talented physicians, surgeons and staff. We continue to bring together a first-class team of clinician investigators who are leaders in scientific discovery as well as patient care and, in this issue, we describe several of our most innovative programs.

In our “No Need for High Blood Pressure Meds?” article, John Blebea, MD, describes his intriguing research on an alternative, nonpharmacologic approach to reducing high blood pressure. He envisions the possibility of managing high blood pressure by utilizing electrical stimulation of stretch receptors that surround the carotid arteries in the neck to activate the body’s natural mechanisms to regulate blood pressure.

James Fang, MD, and Arie Blitz, MD, discuss their remarkable work with second-generation ventricular assist devices in “Heart Failure and Ventricular Assist Devices.” These instruments are currently available to severe heart-failure patients as a “bridge” to heart transplantation or as “destination” therapy, providing hope to our sickest patients who may otherwise have “no options.”

The exciting work of Marco Costa, MD, PhD, is presented in “Innovative Cardiovascular Imaging Technology.” He  is a worldwide leader in the development of a new cardiovascular imaging modality called optical coherence tomography, or OCT, which uses light rather than ultrasound to produce the highest resolution images of the coronary arteries. This transforming technology improves the ability of interventional cardiologists to evaluate the results of drug-eluting stent procedures.

In the Consultation Department, Ross Ungerleider, MD, describes an “Adaptation of the Ross Procedure in a Marfan Patient.” While the Ross procedure is not typically indicated for treatment of patients with Marfan syndrome, Dr. Ungerleider details his innovative and successful use of the Ross procedure combined with the valve-sparing aortic replacement operation in a patient with the condition.

I am confident that after reading this issue of UH Heart & Vascular Innovations you will continue to be impressed by UH’s ability to deliver excellence at all levels – physician education, translational clinical research and personalized patient care with cutting-edge treatment options for our patients. Thank you for being a supporter of University Hospitals Case Medical Center and the UH Harrington-McLaughlin Heart & Vascular Institute and for helping us advance our mission.
To Heal. To Teach. To Discover.

Daniel I. Simon, MD, FACC, FAHA, FSCAI
Chief, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine
Director, UH Harrington-McLaughlin Heart & Vascular Institute
University Hospitals Case Medical Center
Herman K. Hellerstein Professor of Cardiovascular Research
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine