Cardiovascular Institute
One diverse academic health enterprise where people come to receive the highest quality heart and vascular care in their community while also enabling relentless innovation that fuels better health for Indiana and beyond. Read on to learn about recent advances in realizing this vision.
Your Voice Matters
The U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals survey period is approaching, and your voice plays a critical role in shaping these rankings. As a physician, your opinion helps determine which hospitals are recognized for delivering the highest-quality care for complex conditions.
All Doximity-registered physicians who are board-certified in one of the adult voting specialties should receive an email invitation to participate in the survey soon. To ensure eligibility, check your Doximity profile and confirm your license and board certification information is current. Board-certified physicians who are not currently on Doximity but register & claim a profile on the platform before the mid-February survey period will have a chance to vote.
To make your vote count, follow the two-step process below once the survey is received.
1. Sign in to your Doximity account and click the U.S. News & World Report “submit your nominations” notification on the homepage or access the survey via the survey link sent to your email. If you do not receive the survey and believe you should have, please check your spam folder and confirm your eligibility.
2. To place your vote: When the nomination form appears, type the name of each hospital that you consider best in your specialty for adults with serious or difficult medical problems. To nominate IU Health, enter Indiana University Health Medical Center.
Your vote for Indiana University Health Medical Center highlights the expertise of our faculty, staff, physicians, and care teams who provide advanced care and innovative research. These rankings help drive interest with prospective patients, as well as retain and recruit physicians and faculty. Your commitment in 2024 played a crucial role in the following achievements, reinforcing how our collective efforts are strengthening our standing in best hospital rankings and quality outcomes.
• Improved overall USNWR specialty score by 83 points and earned a high performing procedures & conditions award in heart failure.
• Maintained discharge to home score of 5/5.
• Achieved an expert score that outperformed 12 of the top 50 hospitals nationally ranked in cardiology, heart & vascular surgery (24%).
• 98% of voting-eligible IU Health Cardiologists and Cardiovascular surgeons are registered on Doximity.
Thank you for making IU Health Medical Center one of the top hospitals year after year.
February is American Heart Month
February is American Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about heart health and encouraging everyone to adopt healthier lifestyles. This month, we focus on the importance of cardiovascular health and the steps we can take to prevent heart disease. From eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly to managing stress and getting regular check-ups, there are many ways to protect your heart. Join us in spreading the word and making heart health a priority!
In honor of National Wear Red Day, the IU Health administrative team, with representatives from every region, donned red on Friday, February 7 to raise awareness and support the fight against heart disease.
Join us for the American Heart Association Heart Walk
The Cardiovascular Institute is excited to participate in the American Heart Association Walk set for Saturday, September 20, 2025. Every one of us has a connection, a person, a why to get out there and make a difference when it comes to the #1 and #5 causes of death: heart disease and stroke. Heart disease is the #1 killer across the nation and more specifically, right here in Indiana. So, let's be bold, be confident, be life changing and lace up to do our part for the heart!
Sign up here
Clinical News
IU Health Methodist Hospital achieves best heart transplant surgery outcomes in Indiana
In a remarkable achievement, IU Health Methodist Hospital has reported the best heart transplant surgery outcomes in the state of Indiana, according to the latest Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) data released on January 7, 2025. The hospital’s heart transplant program, under the leadership of Kashif Saleem, MD, and Roopa Rao, MD, has shown significant progress. The program boasts an annual survival rate of 92.59%, which surpasses the national average of 91.82%, making it the highest in the state. Additionally, the program has the lowest hazard ratio in the state at 1.09 and an impressive 100% survival rate conditional to 90-day graft survival.
The hospital’s team has also excelled in high-risk coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and valve surgeries, particularly in patients with significant left ventricular dysfunction and those in shock. Their success extends to high-risk left ventricular assist device (LVAD) cases and other complex cardiac procedures, leading to an increase in referrals from other institutions. These outstanding results underscore the hospital’s commitment to excellence in cardiac care and its leadership in the field.
Safer hearts: innovation in imaging
Ali Farooq Iqtidar, MD, along with the Cath Lab team at IU Health Saxony Hospital, are pioneering advancements in patient safety and outcomes through a new, minimally invasive imaging technology for heart patients. This innovative approach leverages advanced machine learning to deliver superior, safer care for those requiring angiograms.
Read more
More News - In the Media
In a recent Fox 59 news segment, Kyle Frick, MD, explains how shoveling snow can place additional stress on the heart.
Research Highlights
Breaking barriers: equal access to heart failure treatments for all
Heart failure is a serious condition affecting millions worldwide. However, access to effective treatments is not equal for everyone. In the editorial recently published in JACC: Heart Failure, Ikeoluwapo Kendra Bolakale-Rufai, MD, MS, and Khadijah Breathett, MD, MS, emphasize the importance of ensuring that all patients, regardless of their socioeconomic status, have access to the best available therapies. They argue that equitable access to medications can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life for heart failure patients. By advocating for pharmacoequity, we can work towards a healthcare system where everyone has the right to the best possible treatment.
Understanding PAH: key protein discovery offers hope
Ankit Desai, MD, and Tae-Hwi Schwantes-An, PhD, have made significant contributions to a study published in Science on the gene NCOA7's role in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH is a severe condition causing high blood pressure in the lungs, linked to excessive inflammation. The study found that NCOA7 deficiency increases inflammation by altering lysosomal function and cholesterol metabolism, worsening pulmonary hypertension in rodent models. They also discovered that patients with abnormal cholesterol levels and NCOA7 gene variations had higher mortality risks. A new drug enhancing NCOA7 function showed promise in rodent models, offering hope for future treatments. This work was partially funded by Dr. Desai's NIH RO1 grant.
Optimizing heart health: lifestyle interventions for HF management
Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditure. Guideline-directed medical therapy and device-based therapy in HF are well established. Onyedika Ilonze, MD, MPH, and colleagues examine how dietary changes, exercise, cardiac rehabilitation, and the management of sleep-disordered breathing, mental health disorders, and substance use disorders can potentially reduce morbidity and enhance the functioning of patients with HF. Addressing these factors may improve symptoms and quality of life, reduce hospitalizations, and improve mortality in heart failure. The team present the latest findings in the article published in JACC: Heart Failure and offer top lifestyle advice and non-drug therapy prescriptions.
New clinical trial for diastolic heart failure at IU Health Methodist Hospital
Led by Sujal Modi, MD, the ALLAY-HF trial focuses on patients with diastolic heart failure. This study involves creating a permanent shunt in the atrial septum for eligible participants, based on their medical history, blood tests, and a right heart catheterization with exercise. Importantly, no device remains in the heart after the procedure. Individuals with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and no prior ICD/pacemaker are encouraged to be screened for participation. For more details or inquiries, please contact cardtrls@iu.edu.
Exciting progress in aortic aneurysm treatment: Cook's ZFEN+ clinical study
Cook Medical's ZFEN+ clinical study is currently underway to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the innovative ZFEN+ device. Unlike the commercially available ZFEN, the ZFEN+ is uniquely designed with fenestrations tailored to each patient’s anatomy, allowing for the treatment of a broader range of aneurysmal diseases endovascularly.
This study is actively enrolling patients who require treatment for aortic aneurysms involving one or more major visceral arteries. To date, IU Health Methodist Hospital has successfully enrolled two patients in this groundbreaking clinical trial, with procedures performed by Andres Fajardo, MD, and Raghu Motaganahalli, MD.
Kudos and Recognitions
Jarori joins ACC Leadership Academy
Congratulations to Upasana Jarori, MD, on being selected to participate in the the 2025 American College of Cardiology (ACC) Rick Nishimura, MD, MACC and Patrick T. O'Gara Emerging Faculty Leadership Academy! This prestigious program will enhance her educational and presentation skills, empowering her to create and deliver engaging content to ACC members and other learners. We are excited to see her continue to excel and inspire.
Celebrating the retirement of Julie Lacy: a legacy of excellence and compassion
The Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine recently celebrated the retirement of Julie Lacy, BSN, RN, CCRC, from her role as a Clinical Research Nurse, effective January 31, 2025. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for her dedication and contributions. Julie's unwavering commitment to excellence and compassionate care has profoundly impacted both the division and our patients.
Upcoming Events
Save the Date: Ninth Annual Vascular Symposium Comprehensive Vascular Care
Friday, March 14 from 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Newfields, Indianapolis Museum of Art
4000 N. Michigan Road
Indianapolis, IN 46208
Pre-registration will close March 5, 2025. For information regarding on-site registration after that time, please contact Anica Kellams
Register
Do you have a story that reflects the strength of our statewide system for cardiovascular care?
Please email OneIUCV so we can share with the team!
