Clinical Trials at BIDMC
Review our current research studies.
Cardiovascular Medicine Research
Research into Heart Health & Disease
Built on a legacy of innovative discovery, BIDMC’s Cardiovascular Research program is revealing key insights into heart health and disease — from the identification of predictive biomarkers to outcomes analyses that are helping to transform health care delivery for the field of cardiovascular medicine.
Cardiovascular research is housed in a state-of-the art laboratory facility in the Center for Life Science (CLS) building, one of the largest research buildings in Boston's Longwood Medical Area. Medical-center wide, BIDMC consistently ranks as a national leader among independent hospitals in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. In total, research at BIDMC is a $200 million enterprise.
More About Cardiovascular Medical Research
Research Overview
Learn about our mission, leadership and educational opportunities below:
Mission/Vision
- Mission: To enable diverse and transformative discoveries within and across scientific disciplines in cardiology.
- Vision: To conduct impactful cardiovascular science centered around the health of our patients.
Leadership
- Jennifer Ho, MD, Director of Research in Cardiovascular Medicine
- Robert Gerszten, MD, Chair, Cardiovascular Medicine
Research Training & Educational Opportunities
Basic and Translational Research
Basic laboratory research in the division of Cardiovascular Medicine includes investigations to identify the genetic, molecular and functional determinants that underlie heart disease.
Some of our researchers are working to develop new ways to protect the heart during cancer therapy. What they learn from cancer drugs may help us understand how heart disease arises in patients without cancer. In looking at the molecular mechanisms of chemotherapy-associated heart toxicity, our team may be able to target these pathways therapeutically in patients.
Our division is also at the forefront of cardiometabolic research. Using metabolomic and proteomic plasma profiling techniques to make observations in humans can be brought back to the bench for biomarker and pathway discovery in cardiometabolic disease.
Other areas of focus include studying the molecular mechanisms of processes that play an important role in various cardiovascular functions and conditions such as thrombosis, myocardial infarction and heart failure.
Clinical & Population-Based Cardiovascular Research
BIDMC is at the forefront of clinical and population-based cardiovascular research, focusing on advancing the understanding and treatment of heart diseases. Our research initiatives encompass a wide range of studies aimed at improving patient outcomes and informing public health strategies.
Through collaboration among our expert faculty and researchers, we explore various aspects of cardiovascular health, including risk factors, prevention strategies and innovative treatments. By integrating clinical insights with population-based data, our studies aim to translate findings into actionable solutions that enhance cardiovascular care and improve health outcomes for diverse populations.
Our expertise includes work in the areas of cardiometabolic disease, electrophysiology, heart failure, interventional cardiovascular treatments and more. The Division of Cardiovascular Medicine is also affiliated with the Richard A. & Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research, an international leader in evidence-based cardiovascular research, and the VT Center, investigating the treatment of ventricular tachycardia and other ventricular arrhythmias.
Cardiac Imaging Research
The Cardiac Imaging Research Group at BIDMC collaborates with other academic institutions and global industry partners to harness the power of cardiac imaging techniques to improve health outcomes.
The BIDMC Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) Center, established in 1995, is dedicated to the development of CMR applications to the cardiovascular system and to advancing cardiovascular imaging through innovative research. Our research team uses a 3 Tesla scanner for research and clinical imaging of the heart and major vessels.
The Cardiac Imaging Research section of the Smith Center for Outcomes Research is led by Jordan Strom, MD.
Our Research
Selected cardiovascular imaging research includes:
- Cardiovascular applications of magnetic resonance imaging
- Coronary MRI
- Valvular heart disease
- Subclinical atherosclerosis
- Atrial fibrosis in atrial fibrillation
- Pericarditis
- Utilization of echocardiography for prognosis in valvular heart disease
- Appropriateness of echocardiographic referrals
- Noninvasive assessment of cardiovascular structure and function
- Epidemiology of subclinical cardiovascular disease, cardiac remodeling, vascular stiffness and heart failure
- Use of machine learning in echocardiography to predict risk of adverse outcomes
- Evaluation of echocardiography and risk of adverse outcomes with aging and frailty
Clinical Trials
Learn more about ongoing clinical trials in cardiovascular medicine.
Leadership
- Nursing Director of Clinical Research, Jenifer Kaufman, DNP, APRN-BC, BCPA.
Research Coordinators
- Majda Wahby, BS
- Henry Xie, BA
- Gabby Urbano, BA
Regulatory Specialist
- Mengyu Ma, MPH
- Jacob Luetje, BS
Research Nurse
- Lauren Lanuto, RN Research Nurse Practitioner
- Patricia Tyler, MSN, FNP-c
Partners
The Baim Institute for Clinical Research is a non-profit academic research organization (ARO) based in Boston. Several faculty members of the BIDMC Cardiovascular Medicine faculty serve in leadership roles within the organization. They provide scientific leadership in selected therapeutic areas, insight into the impact and practicality of emerging therapies, and participation in clinical trial design, oversight and analysis of clinical trial results.
Advancing Care, Research & Education
CardioVascular Institute
The CardioVascular Institute offers heart and vascular patient care, education opportunities for students, and a range of research programs.
Cardiovascular Education
The CardioVascular Institute offers comprehensive education and training programs for healthcare professionals, including fellowships and residencies.
Heart & Vascular Care
Our cardiovascular specialists provide effective treatment for heart and vascular conditions, including chest pain, heart failure and vein care.
