Dr. Zile with patient

Cardiology Clinical Research

Research in the Division of Cardiology covers a wide spectrum of investigation and encompasses the many different areas of cardiovascular expertise of our health care providers. Our research extends to all phases and types of trials and we conduct federal, industry, foundation, and investigator-led studies. The Cardiology Clinical Trials program was started in the mid-1980s with a single doctor and nurse coordinator with a concentration in congestive heart failure. Since that time, we are fortunate to have assembled a very interactive and productive team of cardiovascular investigators who have collectively worked on hundreds of clinical research trials collecting data on thousands of patients. While the majority of trials we conduct focus on heart failure, electrophysiology, and interventional cardiology, we also have trials that fall under the lipidology and peripheral vascular subspecialties.

Cardiology Subspecialties

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the most common cause of death, hospitalization, and disability in South Carolina and in the U.S. at large. Patients with CHF can be divided into two groups: those with dominant abnormalities in systolic function generally termed heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and those with dominant abnormalities in diastolic function termed HF with a preserved EF (HFpEF). In individuals with HFrEF the heart has trouble pumping enough blood to meet the body's needs. As a result, these individuals may get short of breath, tire easily, and develop swelling in their legs, ankles, and feet. Some individuals with HFrEF eventually need a heart transplant or mechanical circulatory support (Ventricular Assist Device). See all Active Cardiology Clinical Research Trials.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the most common cause of death, hospitalization, and disability in South Carolina and in the U.S. at large. Patients with CHF can be divided into two groups: those with dominant abnormalities in systolic function generally termed heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and those with dominant abnormalities in diastolic function termed HF with a preserved EF (HFpEF). In individuals with HFpEF the heart has trouble filling with enough blood to meet the body's needs. As a result, these individuals may get short of breath, tire easily, and develop swelling in their legs, ankles, and feet. See all Active Cardiology Clinical Research Trials.

Electrophysiology (EP) is a branch of cardiology that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders. Electrophysiology studies test the electrical activity of your heart to find where an arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat) is coming from. See all Active Cardiology Clinical Research Trials.

Inherited heart disease, or cardiac genetics, covers a wide-range of relatively rare diseases of the heart that are passed on through your parents' genes. See all Active Cardiology Clinical Research Trials.

Interventional cardiology is a branch of cardiology that deals specifically with the catheter based treatment of structural heart diseases. See all Active Cardiology Clinical Research Trials.

Lipidology is the scientific study of lipids. A Lipidologist is a certified physician specializing in the prevention of dyslipidemia (cholesterol and other lipid disorders) or related metabolic diseases (such as diabetes) which often lead to heart disease, stroke, or atherosclerosis (vascular disease). See all Active Cardiology Clinical Research Trials.

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a blood circulation disorder that causes the blood vessels outside of your heart and brain to narrow, block, or spasm. This can happen in your arteries or veins. PVD typically causes pain and fatigue, often in your legs, and especially during exercise. See all Active Cardiology Clinical Research Trials.