The cornerstone of Allegheny's McGinnis Cardiovascular Institute is innovation. Allegheny researchers have led the region and, often, the nation and the world, in the development of new devices, medications and techniques that have revolutionized care for patients across the spectrum of heart disease. Allegheny ensures the most powerful concentration of resources possible from numerous disciplines, which consistently broadens our capability to more thoroughly understand heart disease and to develop tools to diagnose and treat it more effectively. Quite simply, Allegheny directs one of the nation's oldest research laboratories, which is dedicated to exploring and solving clinical problems in cardiac disease.

Allegheny research pioneers are focusing on a new generation of diagnostic and treatment methodologies that promise to expand patients' opportunities for improved cardiac health and a better quality of life. These areas of concentration include, but are not limited to:

Building on early successes in cardiac valve, pacemaker, and myocardial protection technology, our clinicians and scientists continue to contribute in the areas of ventricular assist, muscle bioenergetics and minimally invasive surgery. A key area involves the development of muscle-powered ventricular-assist devices (MVADs) to assist the failing heart, a project supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health. Another is the investigation of ventricular restraints to reduce ventricular dilatation and dysfunction in patients who have had acute myocardial infarction, thereby potentially thwarting or lessening development of chronic heart failure.

Allegheny General electrophysiologists are actively searching for ways to improve the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing device therapy, most particularly those who have cardiac resynchronization therapy. Additionally, physicians will spearhead the search for novel combinations of therapies to give patients the most sustained, normal heart rhythms possible — and thus improve their quality of life even with heart failure.

Physicians specializing in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are evaluating rapid imaging techniques (complete cardiac assessment in four to five seconds); catheter-free coronary artery imaging; qualitative and quantitative calculation of mechanical properties of the heart before and after surgeries such as aortic valve replacement; evaluation of the long-term results of cardiac bypass, valve surgery and cardiac reconstruction/remodeling.

Working in conjunction with basic scientists and biomedical engineers, an Allegheny cardiologist is lead investigator on PROSPECT. This is a landmark international clinical trial exploring VH™ Intravascular Ultrasound System (IVUS), an advanced technology that identifies vulnerable — or "soft" — plaque deposits under the surface of coronary arteries that may be the cause of nearly 70 percent of heart attacks and strokes, rather than the buildup of fatty plaques, as previously thought. A catheter-based technology using advanced spectral analysis software to produce high-resolution interior views of coronary arteries, IVUS gives physicians the first practical way to identify inflammatory markers inside vulnerable plaques — and thus initiate treatment that may prevent heart attack and stroke in many patients.

Allegheny is one of only 12 centers nationally to evaluate cooling therapy to minimize the damage caused by heart attack. In this technique, physicians introduce a cooling device via a catheter to lower the patient's temperature within a half hour of heart attack; they then administer medications to prevent the shivering response. "Cooling" the patient for several hours protects cells from permanent damage when oxygen to the heart is blocked due to heart attack.

In conjunction with biomedical engineers, an Allegheny cardiologist is designing a multicenter clinical trial to evaluate the next level in the field of stenting to treat coronary artery disease: the bioabsorbable stent. Re-narrowing of arteries — and the need for "re-stenting" — remains a difficulty of today's coronary stents. Fashioned of a resilient yet dissolvable polymer, bioabsorbable stents are strong enough to initially open blocked arteries but also can be controlled by physicians to either penetrate and treat vulnerable plaque or deliver lifesaving medications that stabilize the plaque. The engineering of the stent allows physicians to control its harmless absorption into the body once its tasks have been completed.

Allegheny physicians have been integrally involved in research for new treatments of pulmonary hypertension for nearly 20 years, participating in many of the landmark clinical trials that led to the development and FDA approval of current therapies. Allegheny researchers now participate in/lead clinical trials exploring combination therapies, as well as oral prostanoids and selective endothelin receptor blockers. The hospital also is pursuing genetic and epidemiologic studies to examine the risk factors for pulmonary hypertension and the genetic modulation of treatment responses.