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Strengths
Research
The Division positions herself as one of the international centres of excellence in cardiovascular medicine. Our research team has been at the forefront of cardiovascular investigation. Studies encompass heart failure, cardiac resynchronization therapy, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and CT scan, pacing, electrophysiological studies and arrhythmia ablation, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, vascular imaging, coronary and peripheral vascular intervention, grown-up congenital heart disease, cardiovascular epidemiology, basic cardiovascular research as well as a number of drug and device trials. The focused effort has earned us international reputation in a number of areas in cardiovascular medicine, particularly in heart failure, echocardiography and cardiac resynchronization therapy. In 2004, we have initiated our worldwide multi-centre clinical trials in which the Chinese University of Hong Kong is the leading organising institution. The Echocardiography Core Lab capability supports multi-centre trials while various other state-of-the-art facilities bring about multidisciplinary and inter-departmental collaboration. At present, the Division organises and participates in over 50 clinical studies with the following major objectives:-
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To evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy of new drugs or devices in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, which include phase I to IV studies |
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To identify new indications of currently available medications and medical devices in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases |
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To improve the diagnostic and assessment efficacy of developing or newly developed cardiac technologies, e.g. new echocardiographic techniques |
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To understand the pathophysiological mechanism of various cardiovascular diseases |
Some of the clinical studies are international multi-centre trials in which members of the Division participate as principal investigators, steering committee members or co-investigators; some are collaborative studies with other cardiovascular institutions worldwide, while others are regional studies organised by the Division. The results of the studies were published in prestigious international peer-reviewed journals. Since 2005, the Division has published 15 manuscripts in Circulation and Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the two top-tiered journals in cardiovascular medicine. Members of the Division also published three international textbooks as editors, as well as authored over 15 book chapters in the past two years.
Our research activities represent many closely integrated, vibrant and productive efforts of our cardiovascular investigators and researchers. By participating in clinical trials, we are able to bring potentially life-saving and novel treatments to our patients. Because of our continuous commitment to cardiovascular investigation, we expect continued success and growth of this very important aspect. |
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