 | | |
| | Area of research
Acute coronary artery disease
Unstable angina and myocardial infarction are responsible for
most of the morbidity and mortality in patients with heart disease.
MHI researchers have long been at the forefront of research in this
field. Clinically, they have assessed the pathophysiology of
myocardial infarction and unstable angina, contributed to the
development of new treatments, and studied the clotting system, the
role of blood elements (in particular platelets), and myocardial
and vascular protection in acute coronary disease. At the basic
level, they are investigating the mechanisms and consequences of
acute ischemia, the interactions between the arterial wall and
blood elements, the electrophysiological, biochemical and
pharmacological control of vessels, the pathophysiology of coronary
arteries and the protection of the myocardium.
Back to top
Chronic coronary artery disease
The natural course of coronary heart disease consists of a
gradual progression, interrupted by episodes of acute aggravation.
Teams are studying the role of factors that determine the
progression and regression of chronic coronary disease, such as
blood lipids (in terms of their absolute and relative levels as
well their state of oxidation), blood elements and the clotting
system. New quantitative angiographic techniques have been
developed to provide increased accuracy in the diagnosis and
assessment of changes in the lumen of coronary arteries. The use of
intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging is being applied to obtain
a more detailed evaluation of the mechanisms of coronary artery
disease and its evolution. Basic researchers are evaluating the
genetic control and risk factors of coronary heart disease, as well
as the specific aspects responsible for the development of
atherosclerosis.
Innovative therapies are being developed to prevent restenosis
after coronary artery angioplasty, including gene therapy, the use
of radioactive intracoronary devices, and the use of antioxidant
drugs.
Back to top
Heart surgeryFor years, MHI surgeons and anesthetists have
been involved in the development of new surgical techniques such as
extracorporeal circulation, open-heart surgery and aorto-coronary
bypass. Current interests include revascularization surgery, heart
transplantation, the implantation of valve prostheses, the
preservation of the myocardium, coagulation factors that determine
blood loss and perioperative coronary thromboses, the management of
pain and means of supporting the circulation perioperatively. In
very active development are bypass surgery of the beating heart,
valve repair procedures, and minimally invasive surgery. Basic
research deals with the protection of the myocardium and coronary
arteries, the development of new methods to monitor ischemia, the
prevention of heart rejection following transplantation, coronary
and vascular physiology and pharmacology, and the construction of
an intracardiac pump to support failing hearts.
Back to top
Arrhythmias
Teams specialized in arrhythmias use novel multidisciplinary
approaches to better understand and counteract the development of
arrhythmias. Clinicians are developing new techniques, such as
localized ablation to control arrhythmia, the use of devices such
as cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators, and arrhythmia surgery.
They study the electrical functioning of the heart, assess the
mechanisms of action and efficacy of drug treatment and investigate
the role of psychosomatic factors in the development of
arrhythmias. Basic research scientists use a wide variety of
techniques to study the pathophysiology of arrhythmia from the
molecular to the clinical level. This research makes it possible to
establish relationships between the proteins of single channels,
currents in isolated cells, the mechanisms of arrhythmia in animal
models, and the factors that determine the forms of arrhythmia in
humans. Clinical applications of MHI research under active
development include catheter cryotechnology and radiotherapy for
ablating arrhythmogenic foci, the ablation of pulmonary veins and
the development of new, safer and more effective antiarrhythmic
drugs.
Back to top
Heart failureClinical research in heart failure is well
established and, lately, major basic research activities have also
been undertaken. Current fields of interest include the medical
treatment of heart failure, neuro-hormonal factors altered by heart
failure that influence the evolution of the disease, remodeling of
the myocardium, the effect of hypertension on the heart, and the
optimal role of heart transplantation in treating heart failure.
Multidisciplinary teams of researchers are evaluating the
psychosocial, neuro-hormonal and genetic factors involved in the
evolution and complications of heart failure. A new mechanical
assistance device is being developed for failing hearts, and the
center is playing an increasingly important role in the initiation
and execution of large-scale multicenter trials.
Back to top
Rehabilitation and prevention
The best way to control the development of a disease is to
prevent it. Teams are working on primary prevention by evaluating
the significance of various risk factors and the effectiveness of
early intervention in populations at risk. Research activities in
secondary prevention focus on reduction in the risk of relapses and
complications following the development of heart disease, and the
speed at which patients return to an active and normal life.
Studies are assessing the importance of psychological and social
factors in the prediction of thes relapses and the possibility of
intervening to prevent them. Multidisciplinary groups are targeting
appropriate health behaviors by regulating functional and
developmental processes.
Back to top
Diagnostic and therapeutic technology
MHI researchers have long been developing avant-garde
technologies for the detection and treatment of coronary disease.
MHI clinicians were among the first to test a number of diagnostic
devices used in noninvasive techniques, including echocardiography,
nuclear imaging and high-resolution electrocardiography, as well as
invasive testing, such as coronary angiography, intravascular
echography and angioscopy. These clinicians are also actively
involved in the development and application of therapeutic
techniques, such as ablation, electrical devices used in
electrophysiology, angioplasty, valvuloplasty, the used of stents,
the use of atherectomy and laser to unblock coronary arteries, the
evaluation of valve prostheses and various other surgical
procedures. They collaborate actively with the private sector to
improve and develop existing technologies and create new
technologies.
Back to top
| |
|
|
