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Blazing new trails in cardiovascular medicine
The Department of Medicine’s Section of Cardiology is home to one of the most extensive and
esteemed cardiovascular research programs in the country, with 15 laboratories currently engaged in intensive research initiatives to develop new treatments for cardiovascular diseases. The Section of Cardiology rose to national prominence in the late 1970s for its contributions to the emerging field of clinical electrophysiology and again in 1989 for its pioneering coronary calcium-screening program, which stands today as one of the oldest and most respected programs of its kind. In the past decade, the section has earned national recognition for its groundbreaking research into the cellular mechanisms of heart failure. Today, the Section of Cardiology is leading the way in translational research — the bridge between basic science and clinical practice — to transform the exciting discoveries coming out of its preclinical laboratories more quickly into lifesaving cardiovascular care.
cardiac crusaders are currently in the translational pipeline — including the development of new therapies to prevent diastolic heart failure, which affects half of all people with heart disease. “There are currently no FDA-approved therapies for diastolic heart failure,” Dudley points out. “Our team has developed four potential therapies that will be going to This simple truth is never far from the mind of Samuel human trials in the near future. If these drugs fulfill their Dudley, MD, head of the Section of Cardiology and codi- potential, we may, for the first time, be able to control rector of the section’s Cardiac Research Lab. Dudley and — and in some cases even reverse or prevent — diastolic his researchers are racing the clock as they collaborate on heart failure, rather than just masking the symptoms.” the development of cutting-edge treatments for cardio Clinical trials are also underway on a blood test to vascular disease — a killer that claims the lives of nearly predict sudden death risk in patients with heart failure. 40,000 Illinois residents each year. “Heart failure affects more than five million Ameri Dudley and his team are at the forefront of a new cans and increases the risk of sudden death,” says Dudley. paradigm in medical science known as “translational “The gold standard to prevent this sudden death risk is the research.” By breaking down the barriers that have trause of an implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD), a device ditionally existed between preclinical and clinical research that involves a costly surgery that puts the patient at risk and fostering collaboration between the two disciplines, for multiple complications. ICDs are highly effective, yet translational research has the potential to accelerate the 70 percent of the patients who receive these defibrillators development of lifesaving treatments for patients in need. never need them. Meanwhile, there are about 200,000 Dudley is uniquely equipped to bridge the divide people who die suddenly each year whose lives could have between laboratory bench and patient’s bedside. A been saved by an ICD. pioneering proponent and practitioner of translational “We are in the process of developing the first blood research — and the only chief of cardiology in the city test to predict arrhythmic risk in heart failure patients,” he of Chicago who continues to conduct investigations at continues. “This test — if successful — will enable us to the laboratory level — he knows exactly what it takes to determine which of the more than 550,00 patients who shepherd a scientific breakthrough from single molecule are diagnosed with heart failure each year could benefit physics through human clinical trials. Since 2007, he has from an ICD. This blood test would prevent unnecessary parlayed this knowledge into the most ambitious and ICD implants (a measure that would save approximately comprehensive cardiac translational research program in $150 million in healthcare costs annually) and help us the city. determine when an ICD could potentially save lives.” “Currently, we have seven basic scientists and 14 clin- The test, which measures sodium current levels, may ical scientists engaged in intensive translational research do more than predict sudden death risk. It may also enable projects that combine molecular science, basic population physicians to prevent sudden death in patients with strucepidemiology, cardiac imaging and advanced therapeutics tural heart disease by regulating sodium channel levels to generate new discoveries that will benefit patients,” he with channel-blocking antiarrhythmic drugs. notes. “This collaboration between our preclinical and Preliminary data from the clinical trials suggests that clinical scientists is what sets us apart and makes our the blood test is performing well. If all goes according to program truly unique.” plan, this lifesaving cardiac intervention could get green Dozens of potentially lifesaving cardiac therapies lighted by the FDA within the next couple of years.
When you’re battling the number one killer of men and women in the United States—lost time can mean lost lives.
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What distinguishes us from other centers for cardiac medicine in Chicago is our ability to go from single molecule drug design to human clinical trials all in one place.
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Samuel C. Dudley, MD Head, Section of Cardiology Codirector, Center for Cardiovascular Research