The Western Pennsylvania Cardiovascular Institute, located at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital is renowned for its excellence in diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and cardiovascular disorders. Our nationally recognized leadership in heart care includes our excellent comprehensive medical education and research programs in cardiovascular disease. The Cardiovascular Institute conducts active programs of research in hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and congestive heart failure.
The Cardiovascular Institute participates in numerous trials of therapies for congestive heart failure, man of which have already resulted in improved therapy for this condition:
- The results of the MERIT trial in which we participated demonstrated a major reduction in morbidity and mortality in the group treated in the group treated with the B-adrenegic blocking agent, metoprolol.
- Studies of the endothelin receptor antagonist, enrasentan, a member of a new class of therapeutic agents known as the endothelin, like angiotensin and norepinephrine, is activated in individuals with congestive heart failure and may contribute to their poor prognosis.
- Another study involves ompatrillat, the first representative of another new class of drugs, the vasopeptidase inhibitors. This agent inhibits angiotensin converting enzyme and, in addition, increases the level of atrial natriuretic peptide, a naturally occurring peptide that counteracts many of the pathophysiologic abnormalities of heart failure.
- A follow-up to the landmark ELITE II study is comparing mortality in patients treated with the AII receptor blocker losartan and those treated with an ACE inhibitor.
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Hypertension studies conducted at the Cardiovascular Institute include:
- VALUE and LIFE studies to evaluate the long-term efficacy of angiotensis receptor blockers compared to older agents;
- Short-term studies evaluating moxonidine, candesartan, Iosartan and ompatrillat; and
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Research at West Penn into better ways to manage ischemic heart disease includes:
- participation in the SPORT trial to evaluate rotational atherectomy in conjunction with coronary stenting;
- a study of the oral IIb/IIIa receptor antagonis , roxifiban;
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