Advances

NewYork-Presbyterian

Advances in Cardiology and Heart Surgery

Top-ranked for the last 18 years, our cardiovascular program is led by some of the country’s most experienced and respected physicians and surgeons.

With dedicated heart centers and a team at the forefront of medical innovation and research, our cardiovascular services make us a leading program in the nation for the treatment of structural heart, aortic, heart failure, and vascular disorders.

image of 2023 cardiac innovations in review cover
2023 Innovations in Review

Cardiology & Heart Surgery

This report recaps advancements led by our cardiologists and heart surgeons that aim to maximize outcomes for patients with all stages of cardiac disease and elevate clinical outcomes and overall patient care.

Screen of an ultrasound showing tricuspid regurgitation

Dr. Susheel Kodali: Perspective on Newly Approved Transcatheter Approach for Tricuspid Regurgitation

A Columbia interventional cardiologist discusses findings from the pivotal TRISCEND II clinical trial and the recent FDA approval of the first transcatheter therapy for tricuspid regurgitation.

Medical illustration of atrial fibrillation

Isolated Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation After Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Repair Not Linked to Increased Mortality

Columbia cardiothoracic surgeons show that POAF patients without other complications live as long as non-POAF patients.

vector digital illustration of glowing low poly anatomical heart, brain and lightbulb isolated on dark blue background
Cardiology, Neurology, Psychiatry

A Novel Approach to Treating PTSD in Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivors

A multidisciplinary team from Columbia and the New York State Psychiatric Institute conduct pilot study of acceptance and mindfulness-based exposure therapy protocol for PTSD after sudden cardiac arrest.

Diagram of an aortic dissection

Type B Dissections in Marfan Syndrome Are Associated with a More Severe Phenotype

Weill Cornell Medicine cardiologists publish seminal study elucidating risk factors for descending aorta dissections related to this genetic disorder.

Image of the resorbable scaffold

Drug-Eluting Resorbable Scaffold Bests Angioplasty in Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia

Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine physicians report positive efficacy and safety findings for an investigation device to treat chronic limb-threatening ischemia resulting from infrapopliteal artery disease.

digital vector illustration of the human heart

Surgical Insights Offer Ways to Expand Transcatheter Options for Cardiac Patients

Columbia cardiothoracic surgeons are looking for ways to reduce complications and improve the patient experience through better surgical planning.

Digital illustration of a human heart with a pacemaker

New Study Clarifies Value of Permanent Pacemakers in Heart Transplant Recipients

Columbia cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons report no differences in long-term outcomes compared with transplant recipients who did not receive a pacemaker, shedding light on when these devices are needed.

Anatomy of the human heart on a scientific background

Leading the Way in the Field of Interventional Cardiology

A recap of Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) 2023 conference, where NewYork-Presbyterian physicians presented major medical breakthroughs and the latest evidence-based research in the field of interventional cardiology.

Weill Cornell Medicine physicians are exploring ways to make DTA/TAAA surgery safer

Diabetes Predicts Spinal Cord Injury After Descending Thoracic Aneurysm and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Surgery

Weill Cornell Medicine physicians are exploring ways to make DTA/TAAA surgery safer through strict glycemic control and alternative fuels for neuronal metabolism.

vector digital illustration of human heart organ inside blue outlined body

Assessing the Risk of Outflow Graft Narrowing in Newest Left Ventricular Assist Device Technology

Columbia heart failure experts evaluate the prevalence and clinical outcomes of outflow graft narrowing in patients with the HeartMate 3 LVAD.

vector digital illustration of respiratory system
Cardiology, Pulmonology

Study Finds Women with COPD Are Not Receiving Recommended Statin Treatment

Weill Cornell Medicine physicians explore health disparities in the treatment of cardiovascular disease among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

3D illustration of hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Cardiology, Pediatrics

Q&A: Dr. Emile Bacha on Cultivating Collaboration and Improving Survival for Babies with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Columbia’s Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery discusses his relationship with Jack Foley, a patient with HLHS, and how his patients motivate him to continue learning and improving treatment of these conditions.

A woman wearing a mask having her blood pressure checked

Interventional Cardiologists Show Hispanic and Latino Patients with Pulmonary Embolism Fare Worse Than Expected

Columbia physicians publish first study of its kind of pulmonary embolism outcomes in Hispanic and Latino patients, showing higher-than-expected in-hospital mortality despite lower-severity disease.

3D illustration of a pulmonary embolism

Innovative Surgical Procedure Offered with Curative Potential for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

A Columbia cardiothoracic surgeon performs pulmonary thromboendarterectomies (PTE) to remove chronic clots and scar tissue from pulmonary arteries and collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to make the surgery safer.

chest xrays showing a dual-chamber leadless pacemaker

Expanding the Reach of Leadless Pacemaker Technology

Weill Cornell Medicine cardiac electrophysiologist demonstrates the efficacy and safety of a dual-chamber leadless pacemaker system.

image of Drs. Bacha and Kalfa performing surgery
Cardiology, Pediatrics, Transplant

Multidisciplinary Care Team Performs First-Ever Infant Domino Partial Heart Transplant

An integrated team of Columbia cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons perform a full heart transplant and concurrent living allogeneic heart valve transplant to save two babies’ lives.

vector digital illustration of human heart
Cardiology, Transplant

Clinician Identifies the Risks and Outcomes of Patients With Hematologic Disorders Undergoing Heart Transplant

A Columbia cardiologist shows that people with hematologic disorders have an increased risk of certain complications after transplant surgery but the same survival rates as those without these conditions.

image of X-ray showing a CIED

CIED-Associated Infections: An Imperative for Increasing Utilization of Device Removal

A Weill Cornell Medicine electrophysiologist presents significant findings from research uncovering the infrequent use of lead extraction and system removal despite recognition as the optimal treatment for endocarditis.

vector illustration of the total artificial heart in a human body
Cardiology, Pediatrics, Transplant

Total Artificial Heart Revolutionizes Heart Transplant Surgery

A Columbia cardiothoracic surgeon performs a total artificial heart implant in the first pediatric patient in the northeast.

vector illustration of the Paradise Renal Denervation System

Study Led at NewYork-Presbyterian Demonstrates Consistent Reduction in Blood Pressure with Ultrasound Renal Denervation

A Columbia interventional cardiologist leads a multicenter study validating the use of the procedure as an adjunct to current therapies for reducing hypertension in selected patients.

image of woman holding plastic model of human heart

Women Fare Worse than Men Undergoing CABG: Time to Close the Gap

A Weill Cornell Medicine cardiothoracic surgeon leads a study that confirms that the outcomes for women undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery remain inferior to those of men and launches a new clinical trial for women to address this discrepancy.

Scientific image showing mechanism of cardiac contractility

NewYork-Presbyterian Researchers Are Getting to the Heart of the Fight-or-Flight Response

Cardiology faculty from NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia have identified the molecules involved in cardiac contractility, finding a new target for heart failure treatment.

SERT knockout mice have a thickened mitral valve compared to normal mice.

Deciphering the Connection of Serotonin to Degenerative Mitral Valve Regurgitation

A study by Columbia research scientists reveals how serotonin facilitates progression of mitral valve disease.

Optical Coherence Tomography showing calcium inside a coronary artery, the fractures created by lithotripsy, and stent expansion after lithotripsy treatment.

For Women Only: A Study of Intravascular Lithotripsy for Coronary Artery Calcification

A Columbia interventional cardiologist investigates the outcomes of intravascular lithotripsy in a first-ever study focused on an all female cohort.

image of ECG showing etripamil stopping an episode of PSVT

Novel Nasal Spray Medication May Transform Treatment for Supraventricular Tachycardia

A Weill Cornell Medicine electrophysiologist is a primary investigator on clinical trials testing etripamil, an investigational drug that can be self-administered by patients at home to control spontaneous paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.

image of echocardiogram showing tricuspid regurgitations

Tricuspid Valve Surgery: Clarifying Outcomes for Patients with Non-Ebstein Disease

Columbia cardiac surgeon leads research to better understand outcomes and risk factors related to tricuspid valve disease surgery in patients with congenital heart disease, particularly non-Ebstein 2-ventricle congenital tricuspid valve disease.

Closeup photo of ECMO equipment

ECMO for Postcardiotomy Shock: Investigating Outcomes and Adverse Events

Columbia cardiac surgery faculty in collaboration with specialists in heart failure and critical care medicine conduct comprehensive studies of ECMO when used in patients developing postcardiotomy shock.

vector illustration of cardiac implantable defibrillator in human body

Can Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices Detect Early Onset of COVID-19?

Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine cardiologists and heart failure specialists investigate CIED sensor data for physiologic changes that may enable earlier identification of acute COVID-19 facilitating timelier intervention.

Dr. Christopher Lau performing heart surgery

Identifying the Finer Points of Aortic Valve-Sparing Root Replacement

Weill Cornell Medicine’s cardiothoracic surgeons evaluate the many nuances of the valve-sparing procedure to better understand factors affecting the durability of the native aortic valve.

Photomicrograph showing hypertrophic myocardium with thick muscle

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Addressing the Compelling Need for Warning Signals

A Columbia cardiologist specializing in HCM applies the novel technology of proteomics profiling to address shortcomings in predicting and understanding major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with this life-threatening disease.

vector illustration of HeartMate 3 LVAD on the heart

A Major Milestone for LVADs: Extending Survival for Heart Failure Patients

Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine LVAD investigators report on the findings of the extended-phase MOMENTUM 3 study.

image of Vein graft preparation for CABG

Benefit vs. Risk in Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After CABG

A Weill Cornell Medicine cardiothoracic surgeon led a study of a dual antiplatelet therapy that was found to reduce the risk of graft failure, but raises the risk of significant bleeding.

image of Novel tricuspid regurgitation classification

Transcatheter Therapies for the Tricuspid Valve: Where Are We Today?

Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine structural heart disease faculty offer the latest clinical trials to treat tricuspid valve regurgitation.

Ultrasound flow color mode show jet from aortic and mitral valve

Of PRIMARY Importance: Surgical or Percutaneous Repair for Mitral Regurgitation?

Columbia is a study site for the PRIMARY trial, which will answer critical questions about open surgery compared to transcatheter mitral valve repair for younger patients or patients at lower or intermediate risk for undergoing open surgery.

image of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein (green) staining in the pacemaker cells (red) of SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters

The Link Between COVID-19 and Arrhythmias

Weill Cornell Medicine researchers co-led a new pre-clinical trial finding that SARS-CoV-2 can infect pacemaker cells, inducing ferroptosis and leading to abnormal heart rhythms.

image of preparation of radial artery graft for CABG

Multi-Arterial CABG: The Odyssey of the Radial Artery as a Second Conduit

A cardiothoracic surgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine is an ongoing pioneer in research on multiple arterial grafting for coronary artery bypass surgery.

Illustration of implantable Cardiac monitor to detect atrial fibrillation after stroke.

Probing the Predictive Capability of a Next Generation Implantable Cardiac Monitor

Dr. Elaine Wan, a Columbia invasive cardiac electrophysiologist, is serving as one of two national Principal Investigators on a major clinical trial investigating an implantable loop recorder to detect heart failure events

image of aortic valve surgery

Aortic Valve Regurgitation: Why Surgical Management Remains in Vogue

NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia heart surgeons present a detailed analysis of surgical outcomes in patients with aortic insufficiency.

image of surgeons doing heart surgery

Reducing Risk of Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery

Weill Cornell Medicine faculty establish the potential of posterior left pericardiotomy performed during heart surgery to reduce the subsequent incidence of atrial fibrillation.

vector illustration of lvad in the heart of a male patient

A Closer Look at Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Patients with LVADs

Heart failure specialists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital have conducted the first prospective randomized study of cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with an LVAD.

images of Dr. Ajay J. Kirtane

Introducing Ultrasound to Control Drug-Resistant Hypertension

Columbia University interventional cardiologists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital are spearheading an international clinical trial that is evaluating the benefit of ultrasound renal denervation for patients with resistant hypertension.

images of a pancreatic islet

Tackling Cardiometabolic Diseases at the Molecular Level

Weill Cornell Medicine faculty are investigating molecular mechanisms of cardiometabolic diseases – from the mouse model to human biology – with the goal of developing novel treatments to prevent diabetic and cardiac complications.

Confocal image of heart autopsy sample of a COVID-19 patient

Addressing Heart Complications of COVID-19

A study by faculty at Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia University uncover the source of cardiac damage in patients with COVID-19 and also identify FDA drug candidates as potential therapies.

image of medical technology concept
Cardiology, Transplant

Centralized Heart Failure Management Program Using Remote Monitoring, Artificial Intelligence

Led by Nir Uriel and Gabriel Sayer, NewYork-Presbyterian developed a 5-phase approach to identify patients with worsening heart failure who may benefit from heart failure management in between clinic visits.

image of Senior man monitoring his blood pressure at home

Advanced Heart Failure: Pursuing Progress on Many Fronts

From remote home monitoring to the latest medical therapies, ventricular assist devices, and heart transplant­ation, NewYork-Presbyterian’s cardiologists and surgeons offer the most advanced medical and surgical options to patients who have many forms of advanced cardiac disease.

image of AccuCinch for treatment of heart failure

Extending the Reach of Transcatheter Therapies

With the great successes of TAVR, transcatheter therapies are emerging for other types of structural heart disease, including aortic regurgitation and disorders of the mitral and triscuspid valves. At the same time, studies continue underway to further enhance these procedures.

vector image of the heart

A Minimally Invasive Device for Total Aortic Arch Repair

Cardiac and vascular surgeons at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital have come together for a groundbreaking trial to evaluate the first device for a complete aortic arch endovascular replacement available in the United States.

image of a normal ECG with arrhythmia elements

Novel Therapies in Electrophysiology

Patients with heart failure and patients with congenital heart disease can present with structural anomalies that make them poor candidates for traditional treatments for arrhythmias. At NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, electro­physiologists are studying alternative methods for overcoming challenges to regulating heart rhythm in these patients.

vector image of CT of ascending aortic aneurysm

Clinical Considerations in Prosthetic Aortic Graft Replacement

Cardiothoracic surgeons and cardiologists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital provide insight into proximal aortic surgery, a lifesaving procedure for patients with ascending aortic aneurysms.

image of intrepid device

Transcatheter Trials Break New Ground

Promising catheter-based treatments under evaluation in multiple clinical trials are bringing help and hope to patients with severe mitral valve and tricuspid valve disease. At the forefront of these studies are the heart teams of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where transcatheter therapies are in great demand.

vector illustration of a heart with a dilated left ventricle

Left Ventricular Remodeling and Its Reversal

Heart failure specialists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital examine the range of therapeutic options for heart failure caused by left ventricular remodeling. Their in-depth article in Structural Heart focuses on treatments that have been successful in preventing or reversing remodeling biological and physical approaches.

image of Dr. Uriel
Cardiology, Transplant

Management of Heart Transplant Recipients Infected With SARS-COV2

Heart transplant recipients with COVID-19 are at high risk for severe complications. The researchers, led by Nir Uriel, MD, MSc, discuss implications for the management of SARS-COV2, given the need for immunosuppression in this patient population.

image of CTA whole aorta with curve MPR technique showing abdominal aorta and left, right iliac artery showing aortic dissection

TAA Repair and Coronary Surgical Practices: Cardiac Surgeons Present Compelling Research

Cardiothoracic surgeons at NewYork-Presbyterian report on new approaches to address daunting complications with open thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair and the ongoing debate on the adoption of coronary surgery as a super specialty.

3D computed tomography reconstruction of the heart and aorta

Mitral Valve Disease: The Treatment Evolution Continues

NewYork-Presbyterian heart teams are spearheading the latest trials in transcatheter repair and replacement to minimize the risks and maximize the outcomes for patients with complex mitral valve disease.

Transcatheter biological aortic valve replacement, while being monitored with a transesophageal echocardiogram

Elevating Cardiac Care Continues

NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s renowned cardiology and cardiac surgery program is advancing the field through our groundbreaking work in TAVR, adult congenital heart disease, sports cardiology, and obestrical cardiology programs.

red vector illustration of the heart inside the body

Dr. Nir Uriel: Elevating Progress in Advanced Heart Failure

Dr. Nir Uriel, an internationally recognized leader in heart failure, mechanical circulatory support, and heart transplantation, will oversee heart failure programs at NewYork-Presbyterian’s campuses in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Westchester.

blue vector illustration of heart

Noteworthy Progress in LVAD Therapy: The HeartMate3

The FDA approved the HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as a destination therapy for patients with advanced heart failure who are not eligible for transplant, as a life-long implant.

image of Dr. Emile A. Bacha

Adult Congenital Heart Disease Comes of Age

With the number of adult congenital heart disease patients exceeding the number of pediatric aged patients, clinicians at the Congenital Heart Center of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital are charged with providing care for this unique patient population.

image of MRI scans of a patient with mitral regurgitation

Mitral Valve Disease: Maximizing Outcomes with Teamwork and New Technology

Cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, and cardiac surgeons at NewYork-Presbyterian bring their expertise to bear in colla¬borations that allow the details of the patient’s disease to dictate the best treatment.

image of Dr. Evelyn M. Horn

Pursuing Progress in Pulmonary Hypertension

Among the largest programs in the world for pulmonary hypertension, the Pulmonary Hypertension Centers of NewYork-Presbyterian manage some of the most complicated and sickest patients with this rare, progressive cardiopulmonary disease.

image of The Sentinel Cerebral Protection System in use

TAVR Branches Out: New Refinements, Broader Indications

In the years since the first transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was performed, the interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons at NewYork-Presbyterian have made inroads in device technologies and patient selection.

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