CVI Heartbeats
Structural Heart Center Launches
Structural heart disease encompasses any abnormality of the heart muscle, valves, great vessels and their supporting structures. It can affect any age group. Some abnormalities are present at birth and others develop with age, requiring a multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and imaging specialists for best outcomes. Therefore, the CVI recently established the
Structural Heart Center to provide patients with access to established therapies, such as closure of various heart defects, as well as promising novel treatment strategies, such as percutaneous (catheter-based) valve therapy. The center's medical director is CVI interventional cardiologist
Roger Laham, MD
.
We're Proud
...to tell you that a study by a CVI
Cardiovascular Research team was recognized at the prestigious American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions in November. Using genetically modified mouse hearts, the study advanced understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with the development of LEOPARD syndrome, a rare genetic mutation associated with
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (in which the heart muscle thickens and is unable to pump efficiently). The award for best abstract in Basic Cardiovascular Sciences went to the lab of
Maria Kontaridis, PhD
. The paper was presented by lab technician
Kimberly Keith and featured in the event's Daily News. It has been accepted and will be published soon in a top-tier scientific journal.
Russian Heart Event
Beth Israel Deaconess doctors will present a "
Heart and Health" patient information forum in the Russian language on March 6, from 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., at the Brookline Holiday Inn. The free event, which includes breakfast and lunch, is spearheaded by
Eli V. Gelfand, MD
, medical director of the CVI's
Russian Cardiovascular Clinic. Seven native Russian-speaking BIDMC clinicians will address a wide range of health topics of interest to Boston-area Russian-Americans 40-70 years of age. They will also answer attendees' questions in an interactive session. Registration is required. Please call 617-667-4811 or email
russianheart@bidmc.harvard.edu.
A Special Month
Affairs of the heart are important throughout February, not just on Valentine's Day. National Heart Month is aimed at raising awareness of
cardiovascular disease and
prevention. The CVI will be conducting a number of
special activities, including sponsoring the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women luncheon and educational forum on February 11. The
event is a fundraiser to support the AHA's efforts to educate women about
heart disease.
Yum: Wine and Chocolate Tasting
The CVI has teamed up with the
Longwood Grille & Bar to offer a tasty new way to celebrate National Heart Month. Join us for a Wine and Chocolate Tasting at 6 p.m., on Thursday, February 17, at the Grille at 342 Longwood Avenue, Boston (across from BIDMC). HeartMail nutrition expert
Liz Moore, RD, LDN, will speak briefly on "Heart-Healthy Indulgences." The cost is a $25 donation to the American Heart Association, which will be credited to the BIDMC Heart Walk team.
Registration is required. The menu includes three pairings: merlot with pan-seared pumpkin scallops and chocolate sauce; red zinfandel with chicken mole; and port with dark chocolate strawberry cake. We can hardly wait. Hope to see you there!
Above content provided by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. For advice about your medical care, consult your doctor.
Posted February 2011