Atherosclerosis, coronary disease and heart failure

Problem

Cardiovascular diseases are the most frequent cause of death in the western world, causing more than 4 million deaths every year in Europe, and 45% of all deaths in Catalonia, being the leading cause of death in women and the second in men.

Population ageing causes these diseases to appear increasingly in more complex patients. In addition, today’s lifestyles do not favour prevention. Research in this context must be at all levels: diagnosis, prevention, regenerative and therapeutic.

Approach

The group’s vocation is to conduct research on the diagnosis and mechanisms that cause diseases of the heart’s arteries using sophisticated imaging techniques and experimental models.

Another important aspect of its research is the evaluation of advanced therapies (with stem cells) and of new devices for the treatment of the most prevalent cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction, valvopathies, pulmonary hypertension, congenital illnesses). The group does research with translational, multidisciplinary, collaborative vocation between different centres and groups and Pan-European countries.

Impact

In basic research, the group identifies mechanisms for the regulation of stem cell therapy for the regeneration and improvement of blood circulation to the heart muscle. In addition, it studies the mechanisms of cellular ageing and inflammatory response after an infarct or a therapeutic procedure.

From a clinical point of view, it evaluates new devices (such as biodegradable stents or percutaneous valves) using different imaging and vascular physiology techniques, as well as new strategies for the treatment of myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. The results of these studies have been published in high-impact clinical journals and are part of European clinical practice guidelines.