Cardiovascular Research
Bringing the Future of Cardiovascular Health to Life.
The Texas Heart Institute is recognized internationally for research programs in cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, regenerative medicine and pathology. Our physicians and scientists conduct research ranging from gene therapy, stem cells and regenerative medicine, to ventricular assist devices (VADs) and artificial hearts.
Office of Research Administration
The Texas Heart Institute is recognized internationally for research programs in cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, regenerative medicine and pathology. Our physicians and scientists conduct research ranging from small molecule therapeutics, gene therapy, stem cells and regenerative medicine, to cardiac pacing, heart assist devices (VADs), artificial hearts, and valve repair and replacement.
Electrophysiology Clinical Research & Innovations
Since its founding by Dr. Denton A. Cooley in 1962, The Texas Heart Institute has been an internationally recognized leader in surgical innovation and developed state of the art infrastructure for translational and clinical cardiac arrhythmia research and innovation to carry on the tradition of its founder. The Texas Heart Institute’s Electrophysiology Clinical Research & Innovations department (ECRI) is pioneering some of the most ground breaking cardiac arrhythmias research and management today in collaboration with institutions across the US.
Innovative Device & Engineering Applications (IDEA) Lab
The Innovative Device & Engineering Applications (IDEA) lab is focused on developing and evaluating cutting-edge cardiovascular medical devices. The lab specializes in minimally invasive left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and various cardiovascular testing/training models for mechanical circulatory systems and interventional medical devices.
Molecular Cardiology Research
The Molecular Cardiology Research Laboratories seek to better understand the molecular mechanisms of heart disease while pushing boundaries in the research and development of small molecule and cell-based therapeutics. The team leverages their expertise in molecular biology to discover ways to improve the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases.
Electrophysiology Basic Research
The Electrophysiology Basic Research lab aims to gain critical insights about heart rhythm abnormalities and the electrophysiological mechanisms that cause them. By furthering our understanding of the basic science related to arrhythmias, researchers will be able to improve techniques to detect and treat them.
Regenerative Medicine Research
Our Regenerative Medicine Research department is dedicated to unveiling the next discovery in this promising, emerging field. Primarily, the team is focused on furthering the science of engineering bio-artificial organs and tissues, understanding aging as a failure of stem cells, and identifying sex differences in cardiovascular disease and regenerative medicine treatments.
Cardiomyocyte Renewal Laboratory
The Cardiomyocyte Renewal Laboratory focuses on understanding how specialized signaling pathways are connected to adult tissue development and regeneration. The team’s research studies are designed to decipher the molecular pathways that are active in cardiac disease states and develop therapies to control them to promote heart muscle regeneration.
Stem Cell Center
With initiatives focused in basic and clinical research, the Stem Cell Center seeks to leverage the regenerative properties of stem cells to help patients suffering from cardiovascular disease by improving treatment options and even reversing the effects of disease or damage to the heart. The team also utilizes their discoveries to further stem cell therapies across all areas of medicine.
Center for Clinical Research
Through our clinical research we are gaining answers to important questions about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
Center for Women’s Heart & Vascular Health
The purpose of the Center for Women’s Heart & Vascular Health is to strengthen the Institute’s focus on women-oriented research, address the significant gender gaps that exist in cardiovascular medicine by educating women and physicians caring for women, and investigate the causes of excess cardiac risk in minority populations.
Center for Heart Valve Disease
With instances of valvular heart disease on the rise, finding new and innovative ways to diagnose and treat these conditions is critical. The Center for Heart Valve Disease focuses on all aspects of valvular heart disease, including improved replacement procedures with less invasive technology.
Center for Preclinical Surgical & Interventional Research
One of our longest-standing research departments, the Cardiovascular Surgery Research Laboratories seek to advance medical knowledge and develop new ways to repair and replace diseased organs to enhance and extend life. Researchers in this department have been involved in the development of nearly every mechanical circulatory support device in use today.
Clinical Trials
Researchers at The Texas Heart Institute conduct clinical trial studies to test the safety and efficacy of potential new devices, techniques and therapies to treat patients suffering from various cardiovascular issues. Learn more about what clinical trials are and the current studies our researchers are conducting.
