The most recent University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center e-newsletter, posted Oct. 8, was packed with a number of hot news items for the UA Division of Cardiology and other center members.
Among them:
“Patient Stem Cells Point to Causes, Treatments of Congenital Heart Disease” | Posted Oct. 4, 2019
(From left) Jennifer Andrews, PhD, assistant professor, pediatrics; Matthew Kern, second-year medical student; Jared Churko, PhD, assistant professor, cellular and molecular medicine; and Scott Klewer, MD, professor, pediatrics, medicine, and cellular and molecular medicine.
A collaborative research team—including Jennifer Andrews, PhD, 2nd-year med student Matthew Kern, Jared Churko, PhD (iPSC Core director), and Scott Klewer, MD—is searching for genetic themes among family members who share a high prevalence of bicuspid aortic valve disease. They are testing medical therapies on cellular models grown in the lab from stem cells derived from each family member. Their goal is to more precisely predict which therapies would manage the conditions effectively…
“Minimally Invasive TAVR Procedure FDA Approved for Most Patients” | Posted Oct. 1, 2019
Chip Rock (seated), the first "low-risk" TAVR patient at Banner - University Medical Center Tucson, came in for a follow-up appointment 11 days after the procedure and played golf on day 12, following the minimally invasive heart-valve replacement procedure. TAVR team members from left: Erin Scala, RN, BSN, Keng Pineda, MD, PhD, Kapil Lotun, MD, Toshinobu Kazui, MD, PhD, and Devan Lodge, RN, MSc, CCRN.
When Chip Rock learned he needed a heart valve replacement, he considered his mother’s experience. She, at age 92, was one of the first TAVR patients in February 2014, when the UA Sarver Heart Center Structural Heart Team led by Kapildeo Lotun, MD, offered the procedure only for high-risk patients. “My mother did well for several years after her procedure, so when I learned I needed a valve replacement, I contacted Dr. Lotun to see what he could do for me,” Rock said…
“Echocardiography Labs Reaccredited” | Posted Oct. 7, 2019
(From left back row) Greg Bliss, William Roeske, MD, Elizabeth Juneman, MD, Paul Fenster, MD, Raj Janardhanan, MD, Jeff Gregoire, Phillip Barrios, Carrey Stivers, Sarah Ditri, Amy Shepherd; (Front row) Manya Denman, Shane Scully, Kellie Ohanian, Todd Rutter, Magda Gutierrez, Caitlin Stumpf. (Photo by Jon Wolf)
The Inter-societal Accreditation Commission (IAC) fully re-accredited the Banner - University Medical Center Echocardiography Laboratory for five types of heart ultrasound, or echocardiograms. The accreditations include Banner – UMC Tucson, Banner – UMC South, Banner UMC North and the Banner – UMC physician offices in Green Valley, said Raj Janardhanan, MD, echocardiography director and non-invasive cardiac imaging medical director for Banner – University Medicine in Tucson...
“The Diabetes/Heart Disease Connection: Lunch & Learn Highlights” | Posted Oct. 7, 2019
LEFT: Nancy Sweitzer, MD, PhD, presented the Mary Anne Fay Heart Health Advocate of the Year Award to Khadijah Breathett, MD. RIGHT: David Marrero, PhD (center), and Linda Dingle, RN, CDE (holding microphone) answered questions during a Q&A session moderated by Dr. Nancy Sweitzer.
More than 140 people attended the Diabetes/Heart Disease Connection Lunch & Learn Program, Sept. 28, presented by the UA Sarver Heart Center Women's Heart Health Education Committee. The program, featuring diabetes experts David Marrero, PhD, and Linda Dingle, RN, CDE, was moderated by Center Director and Chief of Cardiology Nancy K. Sweitzer, MD, PhD. Khadijah Breathett, MD, was presented with the Mary Anne Fay Heart Health Advocate of the Year Award by Dr. Sweitzer...
“Help Beat Heart Disease!”
Cindy Schrag, clinical research coordinator, discusses the UA Sarver Heart Center Biorepository with Wanda F. Moore.
Have you ever wondered what you can do, personally, to beat heart disease? Consider becoming part of the UA Sarver Heart Center Biorepository. Our clinical research team will warmly welcome you to participate whether or not you have heart disease or a known risk factor. Enrollment means completing a questionnaire, signing an informed consent form that allows researchers to view your electronic medical record and donating about three tablespoons of blood. These blood samples will help scientists better understand heart disease to improve care and treatment now and in the future. To get started, click on the link below for the Cardiology Research Registry.
ALSO SEE:
“The Changing Face of Cardiology” | Posted Oct. 15, 2019
“Sarver Heart Center Welcomes Two New Cardiologists” | Posted Oct. 14, 2019