“ As an infectious disease provider at WVU , I ’ ve cared for many patients who are suffering with PASC , and the most frustrating aspect for them and their families is the lack of knowledge we have to explain why this has happened to them ,” RECOVER WVU Co-investigator Dr . Rebecca Reece said . “ We cannot only focus on acute infection but must also support research into fully understanding the extent of PASC and its impact on individuals as this condition prevents our patients from returning to their normal lives . RECOVER is a study that will provide much needed knowledge on the whole-body picture and impact of PASC .”
This effort is part of the NIH Researching COVID-19 to Enhance Recovery initiative . The RECOVER cohort will study tens of thousands of participants nationwide over a four-year time span to understand PASC incidence and spectrum of clinical symptoms and to define the biologic mechanisms underlying PASC . In addition to adult participants , other sites will enroll pediatric and pregnant participants while others will study tissue from cadavers . The ISCORE network is responsible for enrolling 909 participants into the study . If ISCORE site enrollment and retention targets are met , funding for the project is projected to be $ 26 million . As the lead site for the ISCORE network , WVCTSI will oversee recruitment and quality assessment and manage budgets across the 11 sites .
The ISCORE network is currently seeking participants who have had COVID-19 in the past , tested positive in the past 30 days , are experiencing PASC , or have tested negative for the disease . Anyone interested can call 304-581-1751 .
Image : WVU Photo . Researchers at the WVCTSI at WVU are engaging underserved populations that are traditionally underrepresented in clinical studies .
WVU Heart and Vascular Institute named Gold Center of Excellence for Cardio-Oncology Program
The Cardio-Oncology Program at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute has been named a Gold Center of Excellence — the highest possible designation — by the International Cardio-Oncology Society ( IC-OS ).
IC-OS defines a center of excellence as “ a program within a healthcare institution that is assembled to supply an exceptionally high concentration of expertise and related resources centered on a particular area of medicine , delivering associated care in a comprehensive , interdisciplinary fashion to afford the best patient outcomes possible .”
International awards are presented at three levels — bronze , silver , and gold — and are determined by scoring in six categories : volume of new / established patients ; research / publications ; education ; quality improvement ; Cardio-Oncology Committee involvement ; and program building . Gold status is awarded to institutions that score the required number of points and receive approval from the IC-OS Center of Excellence Committee .
“ This designation recognizes the dedication of our team at WVU Medicine and the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute to advancing specialized heart care for unique cancer patients at a nation-leading level ,” Christopher Bianco , DO , WVU Heart and Vascular Institute cardiologist and leader of the Cardio-Oncology Program , said .
In his letter informing the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute of its designation , Vijay Rao , MD , PhD , chair of the IC-OS Center of Excellence Committee , wrote , “ Your program has demonstrated outstanding contributions to our field , and we thank you for your commitment to excellence .”
Cardio-oncology is a medical subspecialty focused on the management of heart diseases in patients with cancer . At the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute , cardiologists specially trained in cardiooncology use the latest technology and research to prevent , detect , and treat heart disease in cancer patients before , during , and after treatment for cancer . The goal is to prevent heart damage caused by cancer treatments and manage care for patients who are fighting both cancer and heart disease . In addition to Dr . Bianco , the Cardio-Oncology Program includes WVU Heart and Vascular Institute cardiologists Brijesh Patel , DO and George Sokos , DO ; WVU Cancer Institute hematologist / oncologist Midhun Malla , MD ; and nurse specialists Kim Helmick , RN , and Stephanie Stoffa , RN .
“ The WVU Heart and Vascular Institute remains focused on expanding access to national level advancement to all patients in West Virginia and our surrounding regions . The Cardio-Oncology Program is an example of how we bring highly specialized teams together , including our colleagues at the WVU Cancer Institute , to provide the most advanced care possible ,” said Vinay Badhwar , MD , executive chair of the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute .”
“ The WVU Cancer Institute is very proud to partner with the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute to provide a much-needed service to the cancer patients we ' re privileged to serve . This clinic is housed in the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center to best fit the needs of the patients in a familiar environment ,” said Hannah Hazard-Jenkins , MD , director of the WVU Cancer Institute . “ Dr . Bianco and the Cardio-Oncology Program are a wonderful addition to the care provided at the WVU Cancer Institute .”
The IC-OS brings together cardio-oncologists from around the world with the aim of reducing cardiovascular disease in cancer patients and thereby saving patients ’ lives . Its open access , online journal “ Cardio-Oncology ” provides a high-visibility platform for the publication of original research and expert reviews on the cardiovascular effects of cancer treatment . The editorial mission of the journal is to advance the science and practice of this emerging field to find a balance between oncologic efficacy and reducing adverse cardiovascular effects through timely publication and dissemination of peer-reviewed research . For more information , visit IC-OS . org .
For more information on the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute , visit WVUMedicine . org / Heart .
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