Cardiovascular Institute
One diverse academic health enterprise where people come to receive the highest quality heart and vascular care in their community while also enabling relentless innovation that fuels better health for Indiana and beyond. Read on to learn about recent advances in realizing this vision.
Top News
Transforming hearts: $6 million investment fuels cardiovascular innovation at IU Health and IU School of Medicine
The philanthropic gesture by Indianapolis residents, Sarah and John Lechleiter, marks a significant contribution to the field of cardiovascular health, research, and education. Their $6 million donation to Indiana University Health and the IU School of Medicine is not only the largest shared gift by the two institutions but also a strategic investment in combating a leading cause of death in Indiana. This generous support will fund improvements in patient care, physician training, and a new faculty chair in cardiovascular innovation, furthering the state's legacy in pioneering heart health advancements.
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Celebrating Riley's century milestone: pioneering pediatric heart surgery
Riley Hospital for Children stands as a beacon of medical excellence, especially in the field of pediatric cardiology and cardiovascular surgery. As it approaches its centennial anniversary, the hospital's legacy of innovation and dedication to children's health is a testament to the skill and compassion of its teams. The pioneering spirit that led to groundbreaking procedures in the 1940s continues to inspire current and future generations of healthcare professionals. Celebrating 100 years, Riley Hospital for Children embodies a century of life-saving milestones and compassionate care.
Watch the video to see how Riley became a top-ranked pediatric heart program
Connect to Purpose
Dr. Turrentine and team celebrate their 38th Riley International Heart Mission journey
The 38th Riley International Heart Mission, spearheaded by Mark Turrentine, MD and his team from Riley Hospital for Children, has successfully concluded, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of many. The dedicated team provided life-saving surgeries to children with congenital heart defects from various conflict-affected regions, demonstrating the far-reaching compassion and expertise of these medical professionals. Their commitment extends beyond the operating room, as they continue to nurture bonds with their patients, exemplified by the touching reunion with a grateful former patient. This mission, supported by organizations like Gift of Life Amman, Chain of Hope UK, and Al Khalidi Hospital, underscores the global community's collaborative effort in healthcare humanitarianism.
Research Highlights
Novel use of vascular plug for patient with ongoing shock after transcatheter mitral valve replacement
Asad Torabi, MD and colleagues at Indiana University recently published a case in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) about a 78-year-old woman who underwent transcatheter mitral valve replacement for severe stenosis. The procedure was complicated by cardiac tamponade and left ventricular perforation.
This case emphasizes the need for early recognition of such complications and discusses palliative measures, like using a vascular plug, before surgery.
Heart health risks among thymic cancer patients
A study published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine by Abhishek Khemka, MD and colleagues offers important insights into the cardiometabolic risks linked to thymic cancer. The research underscores the significance of recognizing baseline risk factors and the effects of cancer treatments on heart health. Findings indicate that patients with thymic cancer may present a distinct risk profile compared to non-cancer controls, highlighting the necessity for personalized cardiovascular care for this group.
Addressing disparities: Breathett's impactful research
Khadijah Breathett's, MD, MS, FACC, FAHA, FHFSA, significant contributions to cardiovascular medicine continue to make waves in the medical community. Her paper on disparities in donor heart acceptance, which includes an additional analysis, has been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), highlighting crucial insights into the racial and gender biases in the transplant process. Furthermore, her expertise is recognized through her invitation to vice-chair the update to the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association's Clinical Performance and Quality Measure for Heart Failure, which was also recently published. This update notably includes the assessment and management of social determinants of health as a quality metric, marking a pivotal step towards comprehensive patient care.
Kudos and Recognitions
Breathett leads the way through transformative mentorship
We commend Khadijah Breathett, MD, MS, FACC, FAHA, FHFSA, for her exceptional mentorship in the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) and Journal of Cardiac Failure (JCF) Writing Fellowship Program this year. Her active participation and guidance were vital to the program's success, and her valuable feedback will enhance future cohorts.
Raising the bar: Ilonze achieves Certified Hypertension Specialist status
Congratulations to Onyedika Ilonze, MD, MPH for successfully passing the Certified Hypertension Specialist (CHS) examination through the American Hypertension Specialist Certification Program. This certification, valid for 10 years, enhances the number of qualified clinicians dedicated to addressing systemic hypertension.
Honoring Sawada's impact on the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography
Stephen Sawada, MD, FACC has made remarkable contributions during his seven years on the Editorial Board of the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography (JASE). His detailed and perceptive reviews have significantly improved the journal's quality and advanced the field of cardiovascular ultrasound.
Madhur honored with American Heart Association Mid-Career Award for research excellence
Meena Madhur, MD, PhD has been awarded the 2024 Hypertension Mid-Career Award for her research on the immune system’s role in hypertension and its complications. Her work aims to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for hypertension and heart failure, marking a significant contribution to cardiovascular health.
Get to Know Two of Our Cardiovascular Surgeons at the Adult Academic Health Center
Raed Abdulkareem, MD
Dr. Abdulkareem specializes in valve surgery, coronary artery bypass grafting, heart failure, transplant surgery, and advanced aortic procedures. He serves as an assistant professor at Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Abdulkareem completed his training at the University of Illinois and the University of Pittsburgh, and previously worked at the Cleveland Clinic, focusing on complex cardiac and advanced aortic surgeries.
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Lola Chabtini, MD
Dr. Chabtini is an assistant professor of clinical surgery and the associate program director for the Cardiothoracic Surgery residency. She has recently dedicated her time fully to the Adult Academic Health Center (AAHC). Dr. Chabtini specializes in minimally invasive cardiac surgeries. She earned her medical degree from The Lebanese University and completed her training at Indiana University School of Medicine, along with research fellowships at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital.
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Do you have a story that reflects the strength of our statewide system for cardiovascular care?
Please email OneIUCV so we can share with the team!
