As part of a national, multi-center, NIH-sponsored study, Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital – Plano is comparing the effect of deep, low and moderate hypothermia during aortic arch surgery on post-surgery brain function and functional connectivity. Studies have confirmed the protective effect of induced hypothermia during cardiac surgery, but the new trial will analyze the ideal temperature for hypothermic circulatory arrest in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital – Plano is joining other national healthcare leaders to accelerate the field of precision medicine through the All of Us Research Program – the largest study of its kind ever executed in the U.S. The landmark study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will follow health and lifestyle information for 1 million participants across the country, providing extensive data to improve personalized care for future generations.
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is performed using arteries and saphenous veins from patients to bypass blocked arteries in the heart. Over 400,000 are performed in the US annually. It is shown to be effective to prolong life and decrease angina. One disadvantage of the use of saphenous vein grafts in CABG procedures is the risk of decrease flow in the vein due to neointimal hyperplasia that could lead to graft failure. To address this issue, a new clinical trial is investigating the use of the VEST device – an external metal sleeve used around the vein graft – that could potentially improve the long-term patency of these common grafts.
To reduce the risk of stroke, the WATCHMAN™ left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device has provided an additional option for some patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who are not good candidates for long-term anticoagulation therapy. Now, studies are underway to investigate the effectiveness of this device in a wider patient pool.
