Research and Innovation
Why should research and innovation be important to you?
Because research and innovation leads to disease prevention and cures, which leads to lives saved. Who would have thought a few years ago that doctors could harness the power of a laser to treat heart disease? Research is only one part of OHH's commitment - both scientific and financial - to the prevention and treatment of heart disease.
Oklahoma Foundation for Cardiovascular Research
The
Oklahoma Foundation for Cardiovascular Research (OFCR) is a non-profit research organization founded to improve the heart health of the people of Oklahoma by providing state-of-the-art technology and drugs not yet available to the public. Through their work at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital, OFCR continues to lead the way to test the newest medications leading to improved health in people with heart disease. Among the "firsts" in research:
- Using radiation to treat the reblockage of heart arteries
- Performing PTMR and TMR procedures using a laser beam to selectively place holes in the heart to determine if chronic heart pain can be stopped
- Evaluating devices which led to eventual FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval of
- arthrectomy and rotablator catheters – small cutting devices used to remove plaque from heart arteries
- stents – tiny stainless steel coils to hold open the artery
- angiojet – a suction device used to remove blood clots causing a heart attack
- laser – used to remove plaque within leg and heart arteries
- Testing and evaluating anti-platelet drugs to reduce death, heart attack and the need for repeat angioplasty
- Providing a wearable defibrillator vest capable of monitoring the heart and providing a shock, if needed, to people at risk for sudden death
Breakthroughs in research
At Oklahoma Heart Hospital, breakthroughs in research are rapidly transferred into treatments that directly benefit patients.
- Drug-coated stent
Oklahoma Heart Hospital is among the nation's first hospitals, and the only hospital in Oklahoma taking part in an international clinical trial of a drug-coated stent in a cardiac patient. Learn more.
- New cool-down procedure
Lowering a patient’s body temperature for 24 hours after a cardiac arrest reduces chances for neurological damage.
- SilverHawk reduces leg pain
A new FDA-approved device cleans out plaque from clogged arteries in the leg.
- New technology patches holes
OHH is part of a national clinical study of a new device to seal holes in stroke victims’ hearts.