The broad spectrum of cardiovascular research at NorthShore is carried out by expert clinical investigators at the Cardiovascular Institute. From leaders in the field to rising stars, these innovators serve as principal investigators (PIs) for numerous clinical trials as well as translational studies that touch upon all areas of cardiac care, from prevention to valvular disease, heart rhythm disorders and heart failure. Several physicians have distinguished NorthShore’s strength in overseeing the launch of novel cardiovascular research initiatives by their appointments as not only site leaders but also national and global PIs. Overseeing the efforts of multiple sites across the country and abroad, they help to shape new discoveries that benefit patients at NorthShore and beyond.
Our cardiovascular studies yield promising advancements in a variety of heart disease research categories. We are pushing the frontiers in:
- Personalized medicine to determine genetic risk factors to improve heart disease prevention and to better tailor drug therapy. NorthShore is participating in the Tailor trial to individualize antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (stents). Investigators are also looking at genetic factors to enroll patients in clinical trials to evaluate new drugs that increase good cholesterol.
- Structural heart disease to develop new technology and less-invasive techniques as alternatives to open heart surgery for mitral and aortic valve repair and replacement. NorthShore recently launched the Partner III trial to assess the efficacy of TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) in low-risk patients. We are also the lead site globally for the REPRISE trial to test the next generation LOTUS valve for TAVR. Other clinical studies of note include the multi-center trial of the Tendyne Mitral Valve System, one of the latest innovations in transcatheter mitral valve devices. NorthShore is also leading the country in the Mitral Trial to replace the mitral valve using transcatheter therapies in patients with mitral valve stenosis.
- Heart rhythm disorders to discover the best treatments and/or cure for prevalent cardiac problems such as atrial fibrillation.
- Preventive medicine to test the efficacy of novel medications, from new anticoagulants to more effective cholesterol lowering drugs.
- Women’s health to better address women’s heart health and tailor treatment and prevention strategies to their unique cardiac problems. Myocardial infarction, for example, often appears in and affects women differently from men.
The depth of our experience in cardiovascular research spans the whole scientific discovery process. NorthShore’s clinical investigators continually collaborate with both academic and industry partners, helping to define and refine the clinical utility of innovations—from devices to drug therapies—in cardiac care.