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Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology

Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology

A National Leader in Evidence-Based Cardiovascular Research

"Our mission is to apply to the highest standards of scientific evaluation to essential questions in cardiovascular medicine. We combine novel analytical approaches with deep clinical expertise to understand and improve patient outcomes and advance healthcare delivery."

Welcome to the Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

We are a team of researchers and physicians using clinical trials and data analysis to assess the current state of cardiovascular care in the United States. We evaluate clinical practices, therapies and devices that are used to treat the full range of cardiovascular conditions.Our evidence-based studies point the way to better practices and better outcomes for patients.

We're fortunate to be associated with the CardioVascular Institute (CVI) at BIDMC, where cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and vascular surgeons provide comprehensive care for the heart and vascular system. The expertise of our physician colleagues is invaluable as we work together to rapidly apply the insights gained through our research to deliver the most effective care to our patients.

We appreciate the generosity of Richard A. and Susan F. Smith in making it possible to pursue our goal: the transformation of cardiovascular care in the United States.

Robert W. Yeh, MD, MSc, MBA
Director

The Smith Center works within four main areas of focus:

Assessing real-world comparative effectiveness of treatment strategies, medications and devices;
Evaluating ethical concerns in medicine as well as the intended and unintended consequences of health policy interventions;
Characterizing racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in care delivery and health outcomes, and examining the factors that drive health inequities;
Assessing the ability of novel sources of data (i.e. “Big Data”) to improve risk stratification of patient illness and enhance personalized approaches to medical care.

Related News

Trial Leads to FDA Approval of Coronary Drug-Coated Balloons

First-of-its-kind trial in the US led by investigators at the Smith Center shows drug-coated balloons are a superior treatment option for patients undergoing coronary angioplasty.

Male doctor checking male patient's heart beat

Alarming Trends in Cardiovascular Health Among Middle-Aged Adults

Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers at the Smith Center found a significant increase in cardiovascular risk factors among middle-aged adults, as well as enduring inequities between higher-income and low-income individuals.

Fellowship for UIM Students

The Joan and Marcel Zimetbaum Fellowship to support the training of students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in medicine. The Fellowship is a unique one-year intensive research program designed to provide foundational training in biostatistics and public health, along with faculty mentorship.

Learn More

Study Finds Common Complication of Pacemakers Four Times Higher Than Previously Thought

In a large, nationwide sample of Medicare beneficiaries, physician-researchers at the Smith Center found that the incidence of symptomatic lead-related venous obstruction among patients implanted with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices to be four times higher than previously reported.

News and Research from the Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology

Nationally Representative Study Shows Disparities Persist in Lipid Control

In a paper published in JAMA, physician-scientists at the Smith Center assessed whether lipid concentrations and rates of lipid control changed among US adults from 2007 to 2018. The researchers observed that while mean cholesterol concentrations improved, there were concerning variations in these trends by race and ethnicity.

Black Adults Treated for Common Arterial Disease Are at Greater Risk of Amputation and Death Than White Adults

In a paper published in Circulation, researchers at the Smith Center conducted a nationwide analysis of Medicare beneficiaries to document racial differences in treatment and outcomes for patients with peripheral artery disease.

Researchers and physicians of the Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology

Program Award for a Culture of Excellence in Mentoring

The Harvard Medical School Office for Diversity Inclusion and Community Partnership has recognized the Smith Center as a recipient of the 2022 Program Award for a Culture of Excellence in Mentoring (PACEM). The award honors departments, divisions, offices or programs for their efforts to foster excellence, innovation and sustainability in mentoring.

Group of adolescents in a school hallway

Mental Health & Substance Use Among Homeless Adolescents

Research by Rishi K. Wadhera, MD and Michael Liu, MPhil found that homeless adolescents experienced significantly worse mental health and more substance use than their housed counterparts in the United States.

BIDMC Research Guides FDA Action on Common Medical Device

Research led by Eric Secemsky, MD, Robert Yeh, MD and the FDA supports an updated device label and long-term program to monitor safety of a common aortic stent graft.