We work directly with patients and their families to identify the clinical features of various heart diseases. We then use the information to drive our research in the lab, engineering animal models to study disease mechanisms underlying these various maladies.

We also investigate variables—such as heart regeneration, metabolism and inflammation—to develop new treatments and conduct clinical trials measuring outcomes. These efforts advance new therapies and inform new surgical techniques.

Through collaboration with other Cincinnati Children’s teams, other congenital heart centers and the Heart Institute BioRepository (HIBR)—part of Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute Research Core (HIRC)—we have unparalleled access to tens of thousands of unique tissue samples from patients in all stages of life, perinatal through adulthood. This biobank of specimens provides enormous opportunity to gain new insight and advance our clinical work.

Our discoveries in cutting-edge clinical imaging technology and strategies have been implemented in operating rooms, where surgeons use 3D virtual reality to chart the best course of action in surgical procedures and communicate complex surgical and diagnostic procedures with teams around the world.

On a global scale, our work in Africa and other impoverished areas around the world have been impactful. For example, our rheumatic heart disease team has made seminal findings showing rheumatic heart disease can be reduced and even prevented with proper regimens of diagnosis and prophylactic treatment.

Recent examples of our most significant publications include:

• Study Challenges Current Thinking About Mechanisms of Dilated Cardiomyopathy
• Nationally Supported Recommendations to Ensure Access to Quality Care for Children with Congenital Heart Disease
• Mental Health Conditions Among Children and Adolescents With Congenital Heart Disease

Our Impact

As pioneers in pediatric heart disease research since 1995, our work has led to unprecedented advances in heart care for both children and adults. We’re detecting disease earlier, improving outcomes, reducing adverse events and enhancing our patients’ quality of life.

Our work with genetic testing to recognize heart disease risk has led to earlier detection and new preventive care methods. Our research identifying the genetic basis of cardiomyopathy has resulted in more effective treatments. And our discovery of reprogramming viruses has informed better clinical trial-based treatments for patients with muscular dystrophy (MD).

As a national referral center, our impact isn’t just local. From studying national outcomes associated with VAD therapy in an unselected population across multiple centers to conducting a multicenter, collaborative learning network to reduce cardiac arrest rates in pediatric ICUs, our research is recognized and employed nationwide.