Redefining Heart Care: How Northwestern Medicine Is Driving the Future of Cardiovascular Innovation

Advancing Cardiovascular Care Through Research and Clinical Trials

Research is the cornerstone of progress in cardiovascular medicine. At Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, our research helps transform lives by driving innovations that can lead to better therapies, quicker recovery times and improved patient outcomes. With more than 10,000 participants enrolled in 100 active clinical trials, our research portfolio spans transformative advances. Together, we are shaping the future of cardiovascular care through groundbreaking research and personalized medicine.

Leading in lnterventional Cardiology and Structural Heart Care

The Northwestern Medicine lnterventional Cardiology Team is at the forefront of clinical innovation. Growing more than 1,300% since the first transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was performed at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in 2008, we have one of the highest volumes of surgical and transcatheter heart valve procedures in the U.S.

With clinical trials and breakthrough technology, our team of experts offers exceptional care with the latest minimally invasive techniques. Anita W. Asgar, MD, recently joined our team as the section chief of Interventional Cardiology and leads feasibility trials for tricuspid and mitral valve replacement devices, as well as a promising new balloon-expandable TAVR device for patients with small aortic valves. Previously, Dr. Asgar played a pivotal role in launching Canada’s first clinical trial for MitraClip procedures, and she performed more than one third of all MitraClip cases in the country’s largest clinical trial.

Collaborative Care for Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Together with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, we’re working to provide innovative solutions for the most complex congenital heart disease cases. Our unique program brings together a team specializing in cardiology, imaging, heart failure and cardiac surgery. This approach combines expertise from our institute and Lurie Children’s to offer leading-edge technology, the latest surgical techniques and advanced resources.

Chief of Cardiac Surgery Douglas R. Johnston, MD, says, “The complimentary expertise of the adult surgeons and the congenital surgeons is what lets us do these operations as safely and effectively as possible.”

Expertise in Aortic Care

Our Center for Aortic Care offers highly specialized diagnostic and treatment options. We’ve performed over 800 aortic surgery procedures in the past year, a 7% increase year-over-year. Our experts have created specialized programs to achieve better results for a better patient quality of life. Just one example is our surveillance program for ongoing monitoring of aortic disease progression. It serves patients in our hometown of Chicago and around the world. The program helps ensure that each patient receives a timely, personalized treatment plan.

The Aortic Valve Surgery Team, led by cardiac surgeons S. Chris Malaisrie, MD, and Christopher K. Mehta, MD, has performed over 100 successful Ross procedures. We’re proud that Northwestern Memorial Hospital has a 100% in-hospital survival rate for patients who undergo this complex procedure.

Center for Women’s Heart Care

The Northwestern Medicine Center for Women’s Heart Care offers preventive care, education and treatment tailored to patients’ unique needs. Our experts are leading groundbreaking research to advance the science of women’s heart care.

Thanks to our advanced technology and diagnostic tools, we’re on the leading edge of comprehensive clinical care for women with heart disease and women with risk factors for heart disease.

Condition-specific care

• Cardio-obstetrics: Management of cardiovascular disease or symptoms during pregnancy
• Women’s cardiovascular disease prevention: Identifying and modifying sex-specific cardiovascular risk factors to promote heart health in women
• Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD): Longitudinal cardiovascular care after SCAD, including screening for connective tissue disorders
• Non-obstructive chest pain in women: Management for myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary arteries, angina with no obstructive coronary arteries and ischemia with no obstructive coronary arteries in women

Northwestern Medicine

As Chicago’s premier integrated academic health system, Northwestern Medicine offers patients access to world-class, compassionate care at 11 hospitals and more than 200 locations. The health system is anchored by Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which has eight specialties ranked in the top 10 nationally and was named to the Best Hospitals Honor Roll for 14 straight years by U.S. News and World Report, 2025 – 2026.

To learn more, visit northwesternglobalservices.com