Huffman Named William Bowen Endowed Professor

Mark D. Huffman, MD, MPH, tenured Professor of Medicine and Co-Director of the DOM Global Health Center, has been appointed as the inaugural William Bowen Endowed Professor. The appointment recognizes Dr. Huffman’s outstanding leadership in preventive cardiology and cardiovascular health research at an individual and population level, and at a global scale. His research program […]

Thakker Named Program Director for the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship

Effective April 1,2024, Dr. Prashanth Thakker has been appointed as the new Program Director for the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship, succeeding Dr. Andy Kates who has served admirably in this role for the last 16 years. Dr. Thakker received his MD from Northeast Ohio Medical University in 2013 as part of the BS/MD program with the […]

Huffman to Present at NIH Lecture Series

Dr. Mark Huffman, Professor of Medicine (Cardiovascular Division), and Co-Director Global Health Center will be participating as a speaker at the NIH Health Equity Research Outreach (HERO) speaker series. The event is April 29th, from 9:30-11AM CDT and will be available to stream virtually.

Thakker Coauthors Research Letter in JACC

Dr. Prashanth Thakker, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Associate Director of Program Development in the Cardiovascular Fellowship program was coauthor of a research letter published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology titled “A Leadership Program to Support Career Development of Cardiovascular Chief Fellows”. The letter details the importance of the role of […]

Stitziel Elected to the Association of University Cardiologists

Professor of Medicine Nathan Stitziel, MD, PhD was recently elected to the prestigious Association of University Cardiologists. Active membership in the United States is limited to just 135 cardiologists “who shape the course of research and training in cardiovascular disease.”

Dr. Kan Liu on AI use in Echocardiology (Links to an external site)

“Different CNNs have been developed for echocardiography image interpretation to distinguish visually similar conditions such as pathologic vs. physiologic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, constrictive pericarditis vs. restrictive cardiomyopathy, and stress induced cardiomyopathy vs. acute myocardial infarction,” said author Kan Liu.

Evolution of Heart Valve Repair (Links to an external site)

Study the anatomy of a human heart, and you’ll notice that there are four chambers and four valves that work sequentially to move blood into the heart and then out into the body. As the heart contracts and relaxes, its valves work in a set order, opening and closing to ensure that blood flows in one direction. One valve opens to allow blood to flow in and then closes to prevent backward flow.

ACC Updates HFrEF Decision Pathway, Reinforcing the Four Pillars of Therapy (Links to an external site)

Thomas M. Maddox, MD, MSc, Professor of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division at WashU Medicine, and colleagues recently published an Expert Consensus Decision Pathway (ECDP) for the many decisions required in the management and treatment of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The document was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Agarwal and Huffman Publish Polypill Study in Nature Medicine (Links to an external site)

A new study from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis bolsters previous findings that polypills are beneficial in preventing heart attacks and strokes and reducing deaths among people with cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol. In this meta-analysis, the polypills investigated included at least one statin — a cholesterol-lowering drug — and at least one blood pressure-lowering drug.

21st Annual Scientific Sessions: Interorgan Crosstalk in Heart and Vascular Metabolism (Links to an external site)

We are pleased to invite you to the 21st Annual Meeting of the Society for Heart and Vascular Metabolism (SHVM), to be held in Saint Louis, Missouri, from Sunday, September 8th to Wednesday the 11th, 2024. In keeping with the 20-year tradition of SHVM meetings, this event will gather investigators from around the globe to provide a forum for the free exchange of ideas, to promote scientific interactions between young researchers and senior scientists in formal and informal settings, and to provide an atmosphere that fosters new collaborations.

Maddox Quoted in Article on AI in Medicine

Professor of Medicine Dr. Thomas Maddox was quoted in the article “‘Nicety’ vs. ‘necessity’: 37 impressions of AI in healthcare” in Becker’s Hospital Review.

Lasala Receives 2024 Miami Valves Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. John Lasala, Professor of Medicine and Director, Structural Heart Disease in the Cardiovascular Division, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Miami Valves annual international structural cardiology conference hosted by the International Medicine Institute of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Husaini Featured During Men’s Health Segment on KSDK News

Dr. Mustafa Husaini, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Director of Sports Cardiology in the Cardiovascular Division, was recently featured in a segment on KSDK news for Heart Month.

Today in St. Louis’ Rene Knott, Paul Cook and Anthony Slaughter spoke with Dr. Husaini about the importance of exercise in heart health, and specifically in men.

Using Polypills to Transform Heart Failure Care In South Asia (Links to an external site)

Dr. Anubha Agarwal began her research in India as a Fogarty Global Health Fellow during 2017–2018, co-mentored by Dr. Doriaraj Prabhakaran, executive director of the Centre for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC) in India, and Dr. Mark Huffman, professor of medicine and co-director of the Global Health Center at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL), Missouri.

Jimenez Among 2024-2025 CTRFP Awardees

Jesus Jimenez, MD, PhD of the Washington University School of Medicine Cardiovascular Division has been awarded for “Advances in the Diagnosis of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Myocarditis”.

Dr. Mike Rich Receives BJH Neville Grant Award

Professor of Medicine, Associate Program Director for Cardiovascular Research and
Director of the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Cardiac Rapid Evaluation Unit Dr. Mike Rich has been selected for The Neville Grant Award, the highest clinical honor bestowed by BJH.

Mahmoud Appointed to ACC Reproductive Health & Cardio-Obstetrics Section Leadership Council

Dr. Zainab Mahmoud was recently appointed to a 3-year term on the leadership council of the Reproductive Health & Cardio-Obstetrics Section of the American Academy of Cardiology. Her term begins in April, 2024. From the ACC website: The creation of this Section addresses the needs and gaps in care in all domains including clinical care, […]

Obituary: Alan Neal Weiss, MD, FACC (Links to an external site)

Universally loved and respected by his patients and their families, Dr. Weiss was a beacon of compassion and expertise in the field of cardiology. His impact extended far beyond St. Louis, as he became a trusted source for referrals across the Midwest region and beyond. Dr. Weiss’s commitment to patient care led him to perform outreach at multiple sites in southern Illinois and Missouri throughout his career and to establish one of the largest clinical practices in academic cardiology.

Maddox and Joynt Maddox Present at Olin Healthcare Symposium

Drs. Thomas Maddox and Karen Joynt Maddox were among the speakers at the Washington University Olin Business School’s 5th Annual Healthcare Symposium. The theme of the symposium was AI in healthcare. Both members of the cardiovascular faculty, Maddox and Joynt Maddox participated in a panel that focused on use cases.

Husaini Piece Featured as ACC Editor’s Pick

A piece co-written by Assistant Professor of Medicine and Director of the Washington University Sports Cardiology program, Dr. Mustafa Husaini, was highlighted on the front page of the American Academy of Cardiology website as an Editor’s Pick.

Singh Receives Drum Major Award

Professor of Medicine Dr. Jasvinder Sing was among the recipients of this year’s Drum Major Awards from the Washington University Medical School office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Cardiovascular Division Welcomes New Research Faculty

Two new faculty members have joined the cardiovascular division in the Center for Cardiovascular Research. Zhen Guo, PhD is an Instructor in Medicine in Dr. Javaheri’s Lab. Andrew Koenig, PhD is an Instructor in Medicine in Dr. Lavine’s Lab. Congrats to Dr. Guo and Dr. Koenig on your appointments!

Sintek Gives Heart Health Tips on KMOV’s Great Day St. Louis

Associate Professor of Medicine Dr. Marc Sintek appeared on KMOV morning news program Great Day St Louis for their Heart Month coverage. He discussed the importance of heart healthy lifestyle choices such as avoiding tobacco products, increasing physical activity, and healthy diet.

Jain Announced as Medical Director of South County MMC/Infusion Center (Links to an external site)

Dr. Jain received his medical degree, completed a surgery residency and a diploma in anesthesiology from Maulana Azad Medical College in Delhi, India. He then did a residency in internal medicine at the University of Kentucky Medical Center and St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis and completed his cardiology fellowship at WUSM. He also received an MBA from Olin School of Business at Wash U. His clinical interest is in preventive cardiology and cardio-oncology.

Lavine Among Awardees for Needleman Program for Innovation and Commercialization (Links to an external site)

Three Washington University researchers developing promising therapeutics for cancer and heart disease have been named the inaugural awardees of an innovative, new program that provides critical funding to help move research toward early-stage clinical trials and commercialization. The awardees — Carl DeSelm, MD, PhD, John F. DiPersio, MD, PhD, and Kory Lavine, MD, PhD — will receive financial support from the university’s recently established Needleman Program for Innovation and Commercialization (NPIC).

Liu Receives NIH Grant For Imaging Projects

Director of the Echocardiography section, Dr. Kan Liu, has received funding for the grant “Implications of Spatiotemporal Deep Learning Neural Networks in Echocardiographic Diagnosis and Prognostication of Takotsubo Syndrome”. Projects funded by this grant will help integrate new imaging processing techniques and models to facilitate ongoing echo imaging automation process, with the potentials to increase […]

Improving Heart Health to Save Lives During, After Pregnancy Aim of Programs (Links to an external site)

“Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world,” said cardiologist Mark Huffman, MD, a professor of medicine and co-director of the Global Health Center at Washington University. “And in the U.S., Missouri also has high rates of death during and soon after pregnancy. Many of these deaths are due to hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, especially high blood pressure that can lead to heart failure, seizures, strokes and death. Tragically, these are often preventable conditions. We know what works to lower blood pressure, and the programs we are developing here and in Nigeria are intended to get those interventions to the people who need them most.”

Global Health Center Partners Bring Local to Global Effort Full Circle (Links to an external site)

On November 15, leaders from the Global Health Center at the Institute for Public Health and Department of Medicine, cardiovascular experts from the University of Abuja, Nigeria and project partners and leaders from Parents as Teachers National Center joined WashU alumni, faculty, students, and members of the WashU Alumni and Development team for a special event: “Global to Local Health: Community-Based Approaches to Improving Maternal Cardiovascular Health in St. Louis and Nigeria”.

Maddox Featured in Forbes Article on Medical AI (Links to an external site)

A broader challenge, said Thomas Maddox, a cardiologist who leads the digital health and innovation program at BJC HealthCare, is ensuring that we don’t unwittingly infect AI with our own prejudices. “Because AI is ultimately a reflection of us and all our biases, how can we help AI and ultimately us to be fairer in the care we provide?” Maddox challenged the group.

Cardiovascular Division Middle School Outreach event

In November, Dr. Linda Peterson and sonographers Billy Cathey and Crystal Licari from Barnes visited Harris Stowe College for a STEM event sponsored by Verizon. Middle school students who belong to groups that are underrepresented in medicine had the opportunity to learn about careers in cardiovascular health.

Stitziel Receives Mid-Career Research Award

Nathan O. Stitziel, MD, PhD , Professor of Medicine and Director of the Washington University Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, was named the 2023 GPM and EPI Mid-Career Research Award Lecturer at this year’s American Heart Association conference in Pennsylvania.

Cresci and Bach Publish On EXPLORER-HCM Study

Drs. Richard Bach and Sharon Cresci of the Washington University Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center of Excellence, along with collaborators, have published “Effect of Mavacamten in Women Compared With Men With Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Insights From EXPLORER-HCM” in the journal Circulation.

Cardiovascular Division Members Receive COVID Awards

This past summer the Washington University School of Medicine Office of Faculty Development solicited nominations to recognize outstanding individuals for their work and contributions in the Department of Medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Braverman Published Editorial in JACC

Dr. Alan C Braverman, Professor of Medicine in the Washington University Cardiovascular Division and Director of the Marfan Syndrome and Aortopathy Center, had an editorial published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology this month.

Diwan Installed as Charlie W. Shaeffer, MD Professor

Dr. Abhinav Diwan, Professor of Medicine, Cell Biology and Physiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Division Chief of Cardiology at Saint Louis VA Medical Center, has received the inaugural Charlie W. Shaeffer, MD Professorship.

Maddox Chairs National Meeting of Medicine Conference

On October 25th, Dr. Thomas Maddox chaired the National Academy of Medicine’s conference on Generative AI & LLMs in Health & Medicine. The conference took place via livestream, and featured guest speakers and experts in various arenas of medical technology.

Bach Publishes Editorial In JAMA

Dr. Richard Bach published an editorial published in JAMA (the Journal of the American Medical Association) entitled “Traditional Chinese Medicine Meets Evidence-Based Medicine in the Acutely Infarcted Heart”.

Dr. Krasimira Mikhova joins the Cardiovascular Division (Links to an external site)

Dr. Krasimira Mikhova joined the Department of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division as an assistant professor in August 2023. She completed her undergraduate studies at Arizona State University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude in Chemical Engineering. She earned her medical degree at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. Dr. Mikhova completed residency training in Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan, prior to relocating to St. Louis for Cardiology and Electrophysiology fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Washington People: Sumanth Prabhu (Links to an external site)

For Washington University cardiologist Sumanth Prabhu, MD, the stethoscope is not only indispensable as a diagnostic tool but presents powerful symbolism. He sees it as a channel that connects the patient to the clinician, a conduit through which a current of information flows from the former’s body to the latter’s brain.