Division of Cardiovascular Medicine Research and Innovation
Developing new ways to treat cardiovascular diseases
Since 1960, when doctors at OHSU successfully implanted the world’s first artificial heart valve, our physicians and scientists have been performing groundbreaking research. We discover new ways to treat cardiovascular diseases, with major research programs in cardiomyopathies and amyloidosis, valvular heart disease and heart failure.
What sets us apart
Our faculty work closely with our colleagues at the Knight Cardiovascular Institute, which includes multidisciplinary teams with experts from other departments and divisions. Together, we conduct cutting-edge research across disciplines.
The faculty at the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine investigate:
- Adult congenital heart disease
- Amyloidosis
- Aortic disease
- Arrythmias
- Cardiovascular imaging
- Gene therapies
- Genomics and genetics
- Heart failure
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Valvular heart disease
- Vascular biology
Find out more about our research labs and research centers.
Faculty careers
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“With the number of clinical trials and research opportunities that we offer faculty members, we compete across an elevated platform of other high-level academic institutions.”
Developing innovative cardiovascular care
We have a 65+ year history of pioneering heart valve therapies
We tripled the size of our clinical trials unit since 2021
Cardiovascular medicine breakthroughs and news
Our research team includes cardiologists, surgeons, scientists, research coordinators, fellows and residents. They make important discoveries, such as new therapies that can treat cardiomyopathy and gene-editing technology to treat amyloidosis. OHSU breakthroughs include:
Finding new ways to treat cardiomyopathy and amyloidosis
We play an integral role in clinical trials for new therapies to treat cardiomyopathies and amyloidosis. Ahmad Masri, M.D., M.S., leads research into cardiac myosin inhibitors, which have become the gold standard treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Pioneering therapies for valvular heart disease
OHSU performed the world's first successful mitral valve replacement in 1960. Ever since, our interventional cardiologists have been instrumental in gaining federal approval for new valvular heart disease devices.
Improving quality of life for heart failure patients
We’re finding ways to treat the most advanced heart failure cases.
We’re part of:
- Novel Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) clinical trials
- Interventional heart failure trials
- Percutaneous valve replacement trials
- Pharmacological trials
In the news:
- OHSU tests CRISPR gene-editing technology to treat deadly heart condition
- New drug makes exercise, everyday tasks easier for people with common heart condition
- From Sandy to Switzerland: OHSU patient overcomes heart condition with new treatment
- Oregonian gets life-saving heart valve repair without open-heart surgery
- First Oregonian receives artificial mitral heart valve without open-heart surgery
Funding and partnerships
Most of our clinical trials are sponsored by private companies. Through the OHSU Foundation, donors and private foundations also provide significant support.
Our research partners include:
- Edwards Life Sciences
- Medtronic
- Siemens
- GE Healthcare
- Phillips
Continuing medical education
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Cardiovascular medicine research labs
Cardiovascular imaging research labs
The non-invasive imaging laboratories in the Knight Cardiovascular Institute are at the leading edge of research in cardiovascular medicine.
Cardiovascular gene therapy research
Our research teams are focused on correcting disease-causing gene mutations and keeping them from passing to future generations.
Cardiovascular genomics and genetics research
We work to understand the molecular basis of cardiovascular development and health through innovative technologies.
Cardiovascular medicine research centers
Center for Developmental Health
This major research center within the Knight Cardiovascular Institute consists of more than 60 scientists who study the developmental origins of health and disease.
Center for Preventive Cardiology Research
Our research program seeks to advance preventive cardiovascular medicine by developing and evaluating novel therapies and diagnostic methods.
Center for Radiochemistry Research
The center offers a suite of powerful imaging tools to improve our basic understanding of biochemical pathways and disease processes. It helps us select treatments that enhance clinical care.
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Meet our team.