Research

The main goals of clinical research are improved outcomes and improved quality of patient care. A large volume of clinical work performed at Macon Cardiovascular Institute provides the framework for ongoing data collection gathered by MCVI Research Foundation, which can significantly improve patient outcomes. Additionally, these are "real life" patients who live in the Middle Georgia area providing opportunities for research that allow outcomes-based information unique to the population of Middle Georgia. In the end, this provides information that can improve patient care unique to this geographical area. MCVI Research Foundation focuses its research efforts on patient management, treatment outcomes, and quality of life issues that are unique to this geographical area. Major areas of interest include:

Peripheral Vascular Disease

With ongoing research and new treatment modalities for peripheral vascular disease, MCVI Research Foundation seeks to study outcomes related to the less invasive approaches to the treatment of vascular disease. Additionally, ongoing studies are performed in prevention and medical therapies for vascular disease with the introduction of percutaneous techniques for treating atherosclerosis in the peripheral vascular system, the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms within the grafts, and the development of carotid stenting. There are many new and exciting modalities in the future that seek to improve the treatment of vascular disease in ways that are much less debilitating to the patient.

Open Heart Surgery

There are many areas of interest within the realm of open-heart surgery, in reconstructive surgery for both coronary artery disease and cardiac valvular disease. Additionally, there are less invasive techniques for providing these therapies that are in the forefront of cardiac surgery, including off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery, robotic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and surgery for the treatment of arrhythmias.