Our Research Directly Improves Patient Care

Minnesota Heart Clinic has a dedicated interest in clinical research, stemming from our interest in helping to advance the treatment of cardiovascular disease within our community, and in providing the best and broadest options for our patients. The Research Department at MHC has been active for the past eighteen years conducting investigative clinical trials that encompass therapies for prevention as well as treatment of acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases. These trials span the breadth of cardiovascular therapeutic modalities: pharmacologic and interventional procedures, electrophysiologic devices and biological (“gene therapy”) agents.

In hospital and clinic settings, research trials are performed using specially trained research coordinators working under the supervision of clinical physician investigators. All research activities undergo a detailed review process through the University of Minnesota’s Research Subjects’ Protection Committee Programs prior to initiation, and throughout the course of the trial.

Previous research studies involving MHC cardiologists have made important contributions to some of the major clinical trials establishing current clinical practice (e.g., thrombolytic therapy in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction, which includes GUSTO I, iib and III, and TIMI II).

Other studies included vasodilator therapy with ACE inhibitors in congestive cardiomyopathy (SOLVD); and oral platelet iib/IIIa receptor antagonists in coronary artery disease, among others. Patients continue to be followed who were involved in the initial human trials of a biologic agent (“gene therapy”) to treat coronary disease and angina pectoris; a study of a pharmacologic agent to reduce reperfusion mediated myocardial injury following reperfusion therapy of acute myocardial infarction; new pacemaker leads; and of a new antiarrthymic agent.

Trials now involve investigations in the fields of gene therapy, reperfusion therapy, congestive heart failure and perioperative myocardial protection during cardiac surgery are currently underway or being evaluated. You can reach the research department for questions or inquiries at 952-836-3507 or ssturm@umphysicians.umn.edu.