Myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in developed countries. About every 40 seconds, an American will experience myocardial infarction1. Patients often suffer from acute onset occlusion of the coronary artery (the artery supplying oxygen to the heart) due to atherosclerosis or thrombus formation. Many patients die from arrhythmia before arriving at the hospital, and even those who receive appropriate treatment may suffer from chronic heart failure that develops later due to reduced cardiac function. CVRI researchers tackle this disease by studying pathological mechanisms, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic approaches.
Prevention is the safest, most effective way to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with myocardial infarction. To identify key pathological processes in coronary artery disease, we study lifestyle and environment, radiation and space biology, heart development, and cross-organ communication in systemic disease. We explore novel imaging approaches to diagnose coronary artery disease in order to support early treatment and avert complications
Once a patient develops myocardial infarction, minimizing the injury (i.e. the infarct size) is the key to limiting mortality and morbidity. Researchers at Mount Sinai’s CVRI use several unique approaches including stem cell therapy, tissue bioengineering, gene therapy, and device therapy to prevent myocardial death, regenerate myocardium, and support heart function.