Cardiology Branch (CB)
Toren Finkel, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator
The Cardiology Branch is involved in ongoing clinical and laboratory
studies whose aim is to develop new understanding and treatments
for cardiovascular disease.
The Branch consists of three separate sections including a number
of tenured, tenure-track and clinical staff investigators. These
sections are Clinical Cardiology (Dr.
Richard Cannon, Principal Investigator), Molecular
Biology (Dr. Toren Finkel, Principal Investigator), and Experimental
Atherosclerosis (Dr. Howard Kruth, Principal Investigator).
Within each of these sections a number of basic mechanistic studies
and/or translational or clinical protocols are currently underway.
The clinical focus includes the use of stem cells in cardiovascular
diseases, novel approaches to treat patients with intractable coronary
ischemia, application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology
for patients with peripheral vascular disease and new therapeutic
approaches for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. On the
basic research side, efforts are underway to better understand cell
cycle regulation of vascular smooth muscle cells, the role of reactive
oxygen species in signal transduction pathways, cholesterol transport
in macrophages and large scale genomic applications in cardiovascular
disease.
The Branch also provides state of the art diagnostic technologies
and expertise, including stress testing (EKG, echo, radionuclide
ventriculography), 2-D and 3-D echocardiography, nuclear imaging
(left ventricular function studies, myocardial perfusion, myocardial
metabolism), electrophysiology testing, pacemaker management, and
cardiac catheterization.
Individuals interested in other employment opportunities within
the Branch should contact the appropriate
investigator.
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