Heart Experts at USC

October 23, 2007

February marks American Heart Month and USC has some of the nation’s leaders in research, care and prevention of heart disease. Experts in the field range from cardiologists to pharmacists to world-class surgeons. The following are all available this month for comment:

Cardiovascular Health:

Leslie Saxon, M.D., professor and chief of the division of cardiovascular medicine at the Keck School of Medicine and USC University Hospital.

Saxon specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias in patients with congestive heart failure. In addition to using state-of-the-art resynchronization devices, such as modified pacemakers and implantable defibrillators, in patients with arrhythmias, or irregular heart rhythm disorders, she also collaborates with medical device companies to evaluate the latest interventional gadgets for patients with difficult-to-treat heart failure.

Cardiothoracic Surgery:

Vaughn Starnes M.D., professor and chair of cardiothoracic surgery, is a much-heralded surgeon who is a pioneer in the field of living-related, pediatric and adult transplantation. Besides his expertise in heart and lung transplants, Starnes is also an advocate of new technologies, including the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System, Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) and other new technologies.

Atherosclerosis:

Howard Hodis, M.D., director of the Atherosclerosis Research Unit, and associate professor of medicine and preventive medicine.

Hodis is a nationally recognized expert on women and heart disease, antioxidents and heart disease, and estrogen and heart disease. His broad range of expertise covers causes, imaging and treatments of atherosclerosis, as well as coronary thrombosis. Hodis uses state-of-the-art ultrasound technology at USC University Hospital to screen for heart attack risk.

Gene Therapy and the Heart:

Henry Sucov, Ph.D., assistant professor of cell and neurobiology.

His research interests are in the mechanisms of congenital heart disease and the role of retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, in the development of the embryonic heart. He is searching for links between different congenital defects with specific mutations of the retinoic acid receptors, and trying to pinpoint the developmental processes controlled by retinoic acid.

Heart Failure:

Uri Elkayam, M.D., director of the Heart Failure Program, USC University Hospital and LAC+USC Medical Center and professor of medicine.

A Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians and American College of Cardiology, Elkayam is an expert in congestive heart failure, heart failure management, heart disease during pregnancy and cardiovascular pharmacology.

Pediatric Heart Disease:

Roberta Williams, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics and vice-president of pediatrics at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

Williams is a well-known leader in the areas of pediatric cardiology, medical education and health care delivery. She has served on numerous national committees for organizations such as the American Heart Association, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, American College of Cardiology and the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions.

Exercise and Heart Health:

Allan Victor Abbott, M.D., is professor of clinical family medicine.

Abbott's interests include sports medicine, prevention of coronary heart disease, exercise promotion, and medical education. He has published research on exercise, Type A behavior, and prevention of heart disease. He also co-authored a book on human powered vehicles. He has held four different world speed records on human-powered vehicles of his own design.

To contact any of these sources, please call Jon Weiner in the USC Health Sciences Public Relations office at (323) 442-2830.