Overview of Research
The Women's Center supports THI's research goals with a translational research program that aims to identify gender-based differences in symptoms and treatment, as well as prevention modalities, for heart and vascular diseases. We are developing a one-of-a-kind clinical database registry for the comparison and cross-referencing of factors at work in women with cardiovascular disease and at risk for developing disease - across racial and socio-economic spectrums. We expect to mine integrated data from lab tests, echocardiograms, other procedures, blood samples and patient outcomes to yield information critical to understanding women's distinct risk factors and disease development. This research will help us develop more effective strategies for prevention, early intervention, diagnosis and treatment. Specific areas of research will include:
- Improved application of heart assist devices in women with heart failure
- Enhanced immunosuppressive therapies for female heart transplant patients
- Efficacy of adult stem cell therapies in women
- Genetic vulnerabilities of women to heart disease
- Genetic indicators for depression and heart disease
- Cardiotoxic reactions to certain cancer therapies used in the treatment of cancer in women
Current Projects
Houston HeartReach Registry
Since the launch of the Women's Center, Dr. Coulter has been interested in investigating the roles biology, psychology and lifestyle play in putting a woman at risk for heart disease. To investigate the racial disparity in the development of cardiovascular disease within Harris County, a database registry has been established in correlation with the Houston HeartReach community outreach program that was launched in 2011. To view the project summary in English click here and in Spanish click here.
Women's Research & Training Program
Launched in January 2017, the Women's Center is leading a new collaborative research and training program in the Texas Medical Center with physician researchers and faculty from THI, the UT School of Public Health, Baylor College of Medicine, and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School.
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Study
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy is a relatively rare entity so no laboratory sees that many patients, which impedes our ability to understand the condition and generate appropriate therapy. The purpose of this study will be to get multiple cardiac catheterization laboratories to pool data concerning patients who present with Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.
