What is the role of lymphatic system in normal function of the heart? Do dysfunctional lymphatics contribute to heart failure? Do lymphatics have a role in recovery after MI? It has been reported that lymphatic vasculature transport HDL during reverse cholesterol transfer. Do lymphatics have a role in atherosclerosis? What is the contribution of lymphatic system to asthma or COPD? Does the lymphatic system contribute... more »

The continued development of new technologies requires cardiothoracic surgeons to maintain a strong level of research to ensure the highest quality of patient care and surgical outcomes are received across the world. The level of support for CT surgery within the NIH has continued to drop over the last decade. This is a substantial problem for the specialty as the limited funding available creates difficulty in the continued... more »

According to the ISHLT, more than 4,000 patients undergo a heart transplant each year, and almost 4,000 receive single or double lung transplants. Their prognosis depends heavily on the avoidance of rejection, which claims the majority of their lives. For heart transplant recipients, the median survival is 11 years, while for lung transplant recipients, it is approximately 5 years. The current most common anti-rejection... more »

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a complex, progressive condition characterized by high blood pressure in the lungs. The gold standard for measuring pressures in the pulmonary arteries is a right heart catheterization, where a special catheter is guided through the right side of the heart and into the pulmonary artery, the main vessel carrying blood to the lungs. This measurement is essential, as it allows physicians and... more »

Over the last thirty years, our fundamental understanding of the genetics and pathogenesis of congenital heart disease has lagged the tremendous advances in the surgical and clinical care of infants with this group of disorders. We need to close this gap with investigation into the genetic basis of congenital heart malformations to develop new models of disease. The goall is translate an improved molecular genetic and... more »

There is a need to recognize and study the interdependencies between the brain/peripheral nervous system and the heart/vascular systems in health and disease to develop interventions to detect, treat, and prevent cardiovascular disease.

There is a need for understanding of right heart failure (RHF) and its consequences following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support, as well as to develop devices to optimally support the right ventricle.

There is a need to address chronic heart failure (HF) through improved identification of patients at risk for HF and of patients with pathological ventricular remodeling who have minimal evidence of clinical HF, and more focused and individualized pharmacologic and lifestyle treatments and monitoring of patients with HF risk. Approaches would include big data collection, omics, statistical modeling, and focused clinical... more »

What is the nature of, and what are the best treatments for, heart failure in COPD?

Conduct proof-of-concept studies and explore whether strategies to reverse or prevent fibrosis are feasible.

There is a need for greater evidence-based research over the next 5-10 years to reduce healthcare costs, reduce hospitalizations, and support older persons with significant heart, lung, blood, sleep conditions to remain in their private homes if feasible, if technology is utilized that fosters clinical and epidemiologic research.

We now can create critical cell types like cardiomyocytes etc. from stem cells. Additionally, we are learning the rules of using these cells to rebuild tissues. A major gap in our knowledge relates to the immunobiology of these cells. Lessons from transplantation medicine are only partially applicable, because solid organs are more complex and likely more immunogenic than defined cell populations.

How does the immune... more »

Sudden Death from cardiac arrest and gaps in knowledge of emergency cardiovascular care are the #1 killer of more than 400,000 Americans each year. This epidemic of death and disability is largely ignored and underfunded by NIH and all funding agencies and kills more than HIV, Cancer, Diabetes, and infectious diseases. There is no national registry of cardiac arrest, no mandatory reporting, and poor funding for both fundamental,... more »

Survival has improved but neurobehavioral disabilty remains a common complication with adverse impacts on quality of life, educational and occupational attainments, and resource utilization. There is increasing evidence that brain development is abnormal, and leads to a rrisk of peri-operative brain injury.

Studies are needed to;
1. Further define the prevalence and spectrum of neurobehavioral disability.
2, Understand... more »

Twice I was allowed to develop severe heart failure symptoms that required hospitalization to treat because my primary care physician assumed that my ONLY problem was that I am fat.

Every doctor knows that obesity can lead to the development of diabetes, heart diseases, joint damage and yet too many doctors on the frontlines just say: You're fat go diet.

My first experience with this was when I was first diagnosed... more »