Cardiac Surgery Research

Innovations in cardiac surgery at Ohio State

The Department of Surgery's research efforts are focused on key areas of interest that promise to yield significant results in the understanding of disease and the improvement of clinical care.

Research Interests

Research plays an essential role in the advancement of cardiac surgery and in the never ending quest to improve the outcomes of cardiac surgery patients. Through research, we develop new procedures to treat ill patients and help patients live better, longer lives. The research activities of our division explore basic science by understanding and analyzing muscle biology and cell membrane repair.  Our team also excels in translational research with studies of resuscitation of lungs before transplant and also in clinical research, where we evaluate new and smaller ventricular assist devices and valves. We also have a strong clinical outcomes research group that evaluates the impact of delivery of care on cardiac surgery outcomes.

The division has also has a strong interest in training the next generation of cardiac surgeons. As such, we welcome medical students and residents to participate in our clinical and research activities.

Outcomes Research

Outcomes Research Note

“The Outcomes Center in the Division of Cardiac Surgery is designed to better understand and appreciate various factors that go into minimizing complications and improving patient outcomes. It is centered around gaining a deeper appreciation of the multiple factors that go into having successful surgical outcomes, including collaboration between research staff, nurses, coordinators, statisticians, epidemiologists, basic scientists and clinicians to foster a center of inquisitiveness and an ever constant push for improvements in the way we deliver care. As the director of the Outcomes Center, it is my hope that this collaboration fosters an environment conducive to researching new ideas and allows us the opportunity to teach each other to become better in our respective fields.”

-Bryan Whitson, MD, PhD

Clinical Trials

The Division of Cardiac Surgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center actively participates in numerous clinical trials. Committed faculty and dedicated team members we are working to develop the future of medicine now.

For more information on cardiac surgery clinical trials, please contact the Heart and Vascular Research Organization (HVRO) at Cardiovascular.Research@osumc.edu or speak with your doctor at your next appointment.

We currently have clinical trials open in the following areas:

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