When you have a cardiovascular research project that breaks the mold, you can rely on the unique expertise and the depth of resources available at Wake Forest Baptist to devise a custom solution. Our basic and translational scientists engage in cross-departmental preclinical research from diet-induced atherosclerosis to aging-related heart failure and more. This research also includes developing a number of animal models—ranging from rodents to nonhuman primates. In particular, we have a multi-generational, pedigreed and whole-genome sequenced colony of African green monkeys that are ideal for studies where age, genetics and diet are key factors in the research.

Our models have been used to explore novel therapeutics, medical devices and groundbreaking tissue-engineering research and can be tailored to meet your needs. Your study will be supported by in-house core laboratories, such as the Biomarker Analytical and Ultrasound VEVO LAZR cores; a diet lab; a GLP-compliant large-animal surgical suite and non-invasive imaging modalities, like echocardiography and quantitative angiography. These resources give us the capability to research unique aspects of cardiovascular diseases.

When you partner with our clinicians to conduct clinical trials, you will have access to world-class researchers, surgeons and interventional cardiologists who treat a wide range of patients from the southeast U.S. Our investigators are experienced in developing new diagnostic techniques, preventative measures and therapeutic and device interventions for many cardiovascular-related conditions, such as cardiomyopathy or stroke.

Whether you’re trying to make heart surgery safer or improve imaging techniques to prevent acute cardiovascular events, our researchers are committed to bringing your cutting-edge research to their patients. Wake Forest Baptist demonstrates its dedication to this disease state through its two centers: the Hypertension and Vascular Research Center that supports research from basic science to clinical studies—including technical support such as biomarker analysis and imaging—and the Heart and Vascular Center that manages patient care.