RESEARCH AND CLINICAL TRIALS
Pioneering in Cardio Renal Research
“ Because of the number of patients we see and the variety of diseases we are challenged to treat and diagnose every day , the opportunities for research are plentiful . We recruited patients for studies at the four corners of cardiovascular disease – atherosclerosis , myocardia , electrophysiology and valve disease . Through the Baylor Institute for Metabolic Disease , we were able to measure proteins , analyze DNA and examine metabolites . We were gratified to see some of our bench research move from the laboratory to the bedside , translating science and data into improved care for patients . In fiscal 2018 , we had a particular focus on heart failure research thanks to a collaborative partnership with the Soltero Cardiovascular Research Center .”
– Peter A . McCullough , MD , MPH , FACC , FACP , FAHA , FCCP , FNKF , FNLA , FCRSA
Principal investigator ; Medical Director , Cardiovascular Research and Education – Dallas Campus – Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Institute ; Medical Director , Cardiology Fellowship Program – Baylor University Medical Center
MAJOR ADVERSE RENAL AND CARDIAC EVENTS AFTER CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY AND CARDIAC SURGERY
A founding member of the Cardio Renal Society of America , Dr . McCullough has always given publishing a central role in his work . He points to one article for which he and Kristen Tecson , Ph . D ., were co-authors , as one he considers to be the most important during fiscal year 2018 . “ Major Adverse Renal and Cardiac Events After Coronary Angiography and Cardiac Surgery ,” appeared in the June issue of the Annals of Thoracic Surgery , one of the most impactful journals in cardiovascular surgery worldwide , according to Dr . McCullough . To read the article , visit
ncbi . nlm . nih . gov / pubmed / 29408241 .
“ This was the most important publication from fiscal year 2018 because it is the culmination of an unprecedented collaboration between several surgeons , interventionalists and researchers across Baylor Scott & White Health ,” says Dr . McCullough . “ Our work indicates that having cardiac surgery within one day of a coronary angiogram increases the risk of having a major adverse renal or cardiac event compared to waiting more than one day for surgery . As such , medical practice may shift to increase the time between procedures in order to give the kidneys sufficient time to recover . This work was also recently selected for promotion in a national science news outlet , Science Trends .” For more information , visit
sciencetrends . com / adverse-events-followingcoronary-angiography-and-cardiac-surgery .
TRIAL OF MK01242 ( VERICIGUAT ) IN SUBJECTS WITH HEART FAILURE WITH REDUCED EJECTION FRACTION ( HFREF ) ( VICTORIA )
Physicians and researchers at Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital – Dallas and Baylor Scott & White Heart & Vascular Institute were principal investigators for several significant studies in fiscal year 2018 focused on heart failure .
Study synopsis : This study compares the safety and efficacy of the drug MK-1242 ( Vericiguat ) compared with placebo added to the best usual treatment of patients diagnosed with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction ( HFrEF ).
“ This is in an exciting new class of medications that has favorable effects on the heart , blood vessels and kidneys in preclinical studies . Because it is given in addition to usual medications for heart failure , particular attention is paid to blood pressure and laboratory changes . In my view , we have had tremendous success with heart failure and medications such as this and they hold the promise of providing improvements in symptoms and reducing the risk of hospitalization and other complications ,” says Dr . McCullough .
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