Physicians at the University of Chicago Medicine are investigating the latest medications, devices and diagnostic methods for the treatment of heart failure. As a result, our heart failure patients often gain access to new treatments available through clinical trials — therapies not widely available at other hospitals. Currently, we are involved in dozens of research projects, including multicenter clinical studies, as well as additional clinical studies and lab studies that are unique to UChicago Medicine.
Examples of investigational clinical research under way include the following:
- Reliant Heart HeartAssist5: A next-generation LVAD that weighs 3.5 ounces and has remote monitoring
- The HeartWare HVAD: A left ventricular assist device, a next-generation LVAD that is the size of a D-cell battery
- Serelaxin: A synthetic hormone for the treatment of acute heart failure
- Tolvaptan: A vasopressin antagonist for the treatment of acute heart failure
Physician-scientists from UChicago Medicine have taken a special interest in cardiomyopathy research, skeletal muscle regeneration and other methods to help reverse heart failure on a molecular basis. Other research efforts focus on new ways to improve heart function, preserve organs for transplant and prevent transplant rejection.
