The Heart Institute of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is recognized nationally and internationally for its innovative clinical and laboratory research initiatives. Our researchers and clinicians work side-by-side to study clinically relevant cardiovascular problems in search of innovative solutions that will improve the lives of patients.
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the Heart Institute’s primary areas of research focus. The most common of all birth defects, CHD affects 0.8% of newborns – nearly 40,000 babies born in the United States each year. As a result of improved diagnoses and advanced surgical techniques, there are now 2.4 million people living with CHD in the U.S., and our research programs seek to improve their lives.
From Lab to Bedside
Our research studies, many of which are sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and industry partners, are focused on delivering the best patient outcomes for our patients, families, and communities. Our most successful research initiatives begin with basic science discoveries in the laboratory. Then, in partnership with our clinical researchers, we bring our innovation to the bedside.
An example can be found in our investigations of congenital cardiovascular malformations. These represent one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children and adults, yet it remains unclear how many congenital cardiovascular malformations occur. Our research laboratories investigate the physiology and biomechanics of developing cardiovascular systems in animal models and stem cells to better understand the structural and functional maturation of the normal heart and blood vessels and the causes of CHD. This knowledge is then further explored through our numerous clinical studies focused on CHD.
Unique Collaborations
Through a unique collaboration, the Pediatric Institute for Heart Regeneration and Therapeutics, scientists and physicians from UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh are pursuing groundbreaking investigations into how to make heart cells, called cardiomyocytes, replicate and proliferate to help the heart to heal itself in cases of heart failure or congenital defects.
Interactions between mother and fetus may also contribute to altered heart development. To better understand these interactions, we investigate maternal and embryonic/fetal cardiovascular function in animal models using high-resolution ultrasound and other advanced techniques.
In our research labs we also study cardiovascular structure and function in animal models as part of our evaluation of novel therapies using cells, advanced materials, medical devices, and software to help in the treatment of congenital and acquired heart disease.
