Brigham and Women's Hospital, Cardiovascular Research--Andrew Selwyn, MD
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Cardiovascular Medicine

Endothelial Function and Coronary Ischemia

Dr. Andrew P. Selwyn's clinical research focuses on the mechanisms in atherosclerotic plaques that lead to active ischemia in patients with coronary heart disease. This translational research seeks to use discoveries in the basic research realm in patients and look for new avenues to limit the disease and improve outcomes for patients. Our research shows that cardiovascular risk factors and inflammation cause endothelial dysfunction and plaque progression in patients. This is improved somewhat by control of CV risk factors (particularly blood pressure and cholesterol). While drugs (eg., statins) that lower bad cholesterol will deliver welcome but only partial benefits our present research finds evidence that in addition, small protein activation (Rho/ROCK) within plaques can engender and amplify endothelial dysfunction and plaque progression. We aim to characterize these new pathways in patients and evaluate the added benefits of inhibiting these pathways. This research aims to further limit inflammation in atherosclerostic plaques and add to the welcome but partial benefits from drugs that lower cholesterol. This research is done in collaboration with Dr Creager's vascular clinic and Dr Liao’s basic vascular laboratories.

 

References:

Larose E, Kinlay S, Selwyn AP, Yeghiazarians Y, Yucel EK, Kacher DF, Libby P, Ganz P. Improved characterization of atherosclerotic plaques by gadolinium contrast during intravascular magnetic resonance imaging of human arteries. Atherosclerosis. 2007; 196:919-925

Selwyn AP. Anti-Atherosclerotic effects of statins: LDL vs non LDL effects. Current Atherosclerosis Reports. 2007; 9(issue 4) (accepted and in press).

Selwyn AP. Anti-Atherosclerotic effects of statins: LDL versus non LDL effects. Current Atherosclerosis Reports. 2007; 9(4):281-285.

Selwyn AP.Weight reduction and cardiovascular and metabolic disease prevention: Clinical Trial update. Am J Cardiol 2007; 100(suppl):33p-37p.

Selwyn AP. Coronary Physiology and pathophysiology. In:Brown DL (ed); Cardiac Intensive Care, Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 2007