Research

XLPAD is an approved CMS Quality Registry for peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients

XLPAD is an observational study designed to evaluate the effectiveness and use of stent and non-stent based therapies among peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients. The study will create a registry that will include entry of procedural and clinical follow-up information into an online data collection software, REDCap. XLPAD is an approved CMS Quality Registry.

Objectives include:

• Compare stent and non-stent based outcomes defined as a composite of symptom driven target vessel revascularization (TVR), unplanned surgical revascularization of the target limb and need for target limb amputation through 12 months post-index procedure (Primary efficacy endpoint)
• Compare stent and non-stent based outcomes defined as a composite of causes such as: death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, peri-procedural complications, target vessel revascularization (TVR) and unplanned surgical revascularization/amputation of the target lib through 12 months (Primary safety endpoint)
• Compare stent and non-stent based change in walking distance, Rutherford category and/or ankle-brachial index (ABI) at 12 months compared to baseline (Primary clinical improvement endpoint)  

Read more about the database.

First in Texas to Offer Renal Denervation Systems for Treatment of High Blood Pressure

Two new treatment options for patients with high blood pressure are now available at Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital – Dallas. The downtown Dallas hospital was the first in Texas to use each of these commercially available technologies. Renal denervation is designed to achieve clinically significant 24-hour reduction in blood pressure and has been shown to be safe and effective across multiple randomized controlled clinical trials of patients both on and off medications. The devices use radiofrequency or ultrasound energy to ablate the renal nerves without damaging the arteries. Both are outpatient procedures with most patients going home the same day.

Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular – Dallas designed a hypertension center to help patients with resistant hypertension manage their blood pressure. The goal of the center's multidisciplinary team, including physicians specializing in hypertension, is to control hypertension by reducing risk factors using a collaborative approach among the patient, the primary care provider, and the hypertension center care team.

Read more about renal denervation.

Subhash Banerjee, MD, FACC, named as Editor-In-Chief of the American Journal of Cardiology

Subhash Banerjee, MD, FACC, was appointed Editor-In-Chief of The American Journal of Cardiology in 2022. Dr. Banerjee served as the Deputy Editor for Circulation Cardiovascular Intervention and was the immediate past Chair of the Society of Coronary Angiography and Interventions Vascular Disease Council. As a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the Society of Coronary Angiography and Interventions, Dr. Banerjee is heavily involved with national societies, American Board of Internal Medicine, development of guidelines, and appropriate use criteria documents, advocacy, mentoring and national program committees of major scientific meetings. He is also one of the founding directors of the Cardiovascular Innovations Foundation. Dr. Banerjee also serves as the Paul J. Thomas Endowed Chair in Cardiology and Chief of Cardiovascular Research and Innovation at Baylor University Medical Center, a part of Baylor Scott & White Health. 

Subhash Banerjee, MD, Interventional Cardiologist, Cardiovascular Research and Innovation at Baylor University Medical Center

One of the nation’s leading experts in interventional cardiology and complex cardiac and vascular surgery, Subhash Banerjee, MD, is the Paul J. Thomas Endowed Chair in Cardiology and Chief of Cardiovascular Research and Innovation at Baylor University Medical Center, a part of Baylor Scott & White Health. Prior to joining Baylor Scott & White, Dr. Banerjee was Professor of Medicine and Chief of Cardiology and Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at the VA North Texas Health Care System in Dallas.

Dr. Banerjee is passionate about research, having led many landmark medical research trials, presented the latest scientific results from studies, and has published more than 450 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters. His keen interest in how he could use research to change the course of disease drew him to minimally invasive endovascular procedures and inspired him to affect those changes in his patients.

Read more about Dr. Banerjee

Baylor University Medical Center chosen as one of seven US sites for trial of new total artificial heart

Many patients with advanced heart failure can be managed by a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). But there are some patients who are not candidates for an LVAD because they have biventricular failure. Baylor University Medical Center has been chosen as one of seven clinical trial sites for the world's most advanced total artificial heart. “No major changes have occurred in the field of total artificial heart in decades, so we are very excited to be able to offer access to participation in a clinical trial for this innovative pump to our patients who qualify,” says Dan M. Meyer, MD, surgical chief of heart transplant and mechanical circulatory support at Baylor University Medical Center

Considerations for cardiac catheterization laboratory procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic perspectives from the SCAI ELM members and graduates

The novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is highly infectious, carries significant morbidity and mortality, and has rapidly resulted in strained healthcare system and hospital resources. In addition to patient-related care concerns in infected individuals, focus must also relate to diminishing community spread, protection of staff, case selection, and concentration of resources. The current document based on available data and consensus opinion addresses appropriate catheterization laboratory preparedness for treating these patients, including procedure-room readiness to minimize external contamination, safe donning and doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE) to eliminate risk to staff, and staffing algorithms to minimize exposure and maximize team availability. Case selection and management of both emergent and urgent procedures are discussed in detail, including procedures that may be safely deferred or performed bedside.

American College of Cardiology Honors Dr. William C. Roberts

William C. Roberts, MD, honored by American College of Cardiology with a Lifetime Achievement Award, prestigious recognition from the American College of Cardiology on Monday, April 4, 2016, in Chicago.

Listing of Dr. Roberts' books:

1. Roberts WC, editor in chief. From-the-Editor Columns Published in The American Journal of Cardiology 1982-2015. Dallas: Baylor Scott & White Health 2016:623.
2. Roberts WC, editor in chief, Interviews Published in The American Journal of Cardiology 1982 – 2015, Volume 1:A-K. Dallas: Baylor Scott & White Health 2016:684.
3. Roberts WC, editor in chief. Interviews Published in The American Journal of Cardiology 1982 – 2015, Volume 2: L-Z. Dallas: Baylor Scott & White Health 2016:571.
4. Roberts WC, interviewer and Editor. Collected Interviews of Baylor University Medical Center Physicians and Administrators Published in Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings 1995 – 2015, Dallas: Baylor Scott & White Health 2015:951.
5. Roberts WC, editor in chief. Facts and Ideas from Anywhere: From-the-Editor Columns Published in Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings 2011 – 2015, Dallas: Baylor Scott & White Health 2015:509.
6. Roberts WC, interviewer and editor. Collected Interviews of Some Visiting Professors

Dr. Cara East's new book

Congratulations to Cara East, MD, FACP, FAPCR, on her new book titled Developing a Successful Clinical Research Program based on her experience leading the Soltero Cardiovascular Research. Beth Soltero hosted a book signing at the Soltero office on Oct. 19, 2018. Patients involved in some of her clinical trials, as well as fellow providers and family friends attended the event.

Baylor Heart and Vascular welcomes Dr. Packer

Baylor University Medical Center, part of Baylor Scott & White Health announces the appointment of Milton Packer, MD, as the new Distinguished Scholar in Cardiovascular Science. Dr. Packer's recent study findings now published in latest New England Journal of Medicine.

Dr. Packer, Distinguished Scholar, can be reached through Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Institute at 214.820.7500

Did I Actually Win an Award — For Journalism?

Milton Packer reflects on the impact and future of his blog

Dr. Packer won a national award in specialized journalism — the Jesse H. Neal Award — in the category of "Best Commentary/Blog." The Neal Awards are considered the "Pulitzer Prize" of the business press. Established in 1955, the Neal Awards strive to recognize journalists that "act as the conscience of the fields they serve."

Landmark Research Program Advances Precision Medicine for All of Us

Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital is one of three Baylor Scott & White Health locations currently serving as a study site for system's participation in a landmark precision medicine study – the All of Us Research Program. All of Us is the largest study ever executed in the United States by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with a goal of enrolling 1 million participants across the country.

Baylor Scott & White is currently the only healthcare provider in Texas enrolling participants in the study and will receive a total of $14 million in funding from NIH over five years. The system is collaborating through a consortium that includes Baylor Scott & White, Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Essentia Health headquartered in Minnesota, Spectrum Health in Michigan and University of Massachusetts Medical School.