Cardiovascular Services Department Research, Florida
- About Us
- Our Research
Transforming Pediatric Cardiovascular Research & Care
Cardiovascular Services Department Research at 消消消消消消消娼瞳 Childrens in Florida helps children with complex heart conditions live better. We bring together expert heart doctors, surgeons, and researchers to find new ways to treat and understand pediatric heart disease. 油
Our program combines clinical excellence with innovative research in epigenetics, advanced imaging, and artificial intelligence. Our 3D printing lab produces detailed heart models that allow surgeons to precisely plan complex procedures and help families better understand their child's condition. This results in individualized care and better outcomes.
Through cross-campus collaboration and partnerships across Florida, such as the University of Central Florida (UCF), we've built a research ecosystem that accelerates discoveries from laboratory to bedside. Our biobank of cardiac specimens and molecular analysis capabilities helps researchers uncover the underlying causes of congenital heart disease, potentially leading to new prevention and treatment strategies.
Whether we're working to enhance or improve recovery after surgery or designing less invasive procedures, we have one purpose: Give every child with heart disease the chance to run, play, and grow into a healthy adult.
Pioneering Pediatric Cardiovascular Innovation油
Our multidisciplinary team is transforming heart care through cutting-edge research and advanced technologies. Our achievements highlight our dedication
1,500+
3D printed heart models produced since 2024
50
Research papers published in the last two years
2,729
Square feet of laboratory space
Across all 消消消消消消消娼瞳 research campuses, our scientists use world-class technologies and equipment.
Our油biobank is fully accredited by the College of American Pathologists油and contains over 600 cardiac specimens.
We use a油state-of-the-art molecular analysis program油that drives innovation from bench to bedside.
We integrate油leading-edge basic science with translational research and clinical expertise.
消消消消消消消娼瞳 Cardiac Research News & Announcements
Our Leadership
Jennifer S. Nelson, MD, MS油
Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon
Director of Research, Central Florida
Research Team
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Alejandro Redaelli Arevalo, MD
Cardiology Director, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Lab-PensacolaPrimary Office
Pensacola, FL -
Karen S. Bender, MD
Cardiac Anesthesia -
Ana Maria Manrique Espinel, MD
Cardiac Anesthesia
Research Labs
Congenital Cardiac Research Lab
We investigate epigenetic causes of congenital heart disease. Our research explores how various environmental factors contribute to the onset and progression of these conditions, aiming to uncover potential preventative strategies and therapeutic targets.油Our basic science laboratory leverages the 消消消消消消消娼瞳 Biobank & Molecular Analysis Program (BMAP). We advanced equipment and cutting-edge analytical services to support our investigations. 油
Cardiac Imaging & 3D Printing Lab
Clinicians and researchers use cross-sectional imaging like CAT scans and MRI to create 3D models for our doctors and surgeons to plan the best approach to treating heart disease in children. These models are also used for patient and family education as part of our patient- and family-centered approach to care.
Join Us
Advancing Pediatric Heart Care
Our research focuses on finding answers that change how we care for children with heart conditions. Everything we do brings us closer to better treatments and brighter futures for kids.
油
Focus Areas
Our team concentrates research efforts within these key focus areas:
Finding Root Causes: Understanding Congenital Heart Disease
We're studying how genetic and environmental factors influence heart development. By understanding these connections, one day we may identify and prevent certain heart conditions before they develop. Our team works with families to understand patterns and risk factors that could lead to better screening and earlier interventions.
Measuring Success: Surgical Database & Outcomes Research
We participate in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) National Databases and help develop new guidelines for congenital heart surgery from infancy through adulthood. By analyzing outcomes across thousands of patients, we're refining surgical approaches to reduce risks and improve recovery for every child.
Measuring Success: Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Registry & Outcomes Research
We provide innovative, minimally invasive treatments for patients with heart disease, from infancy through adulthood. We participate in the multi-institutional IMPACT Registry速 to support the development of evidence-based guidelines and guide quality improvement. By analyzing outcomes across thousands of patients, we're refining and developing our approaches in the catheterization laboratory to reduce risks and improve health for every child.油
Going Beyond the Operating Room: Critical Care Excellence
Through our work with the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Consortium (PC4), we're enhancing how we care for children in the hours and days after heart procedures. This collaboration helps us understand which intensive care practices lead to the best outcomes, allowing us to continuously improve our approach.
Uncovering Hidden Patterns: AI & Big Data Solutions
In partnership with UCF's Division of Artificial Intelligence, we're using advanced computing to analyze large datasets and uncover patterns in rare diseases that might otherwise remain hidden. These tools help us spot connections that can lead to breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment.
Seeing Inside the Heart: Advanced Imaging & 3D Models
Our 3D modeling program turns complex heart scans into physical models that surgeons can hold and examine before ever making an incision. This technology allows for more precise surgical planning and gives families a clearer understanding of their childs condition.
Comfort & Healing: Reducing Pain After Heart Surgery
We're pioneering approaches to manage post-surgical pain while reducing reliance on opioids. By identifying risk factors early and integrating alternative pain management techniques, we're helping children recover more comfortably with fewer side effects.
Research Themes
- Early intervention and prevention:油Detecting risk factors and cardiovascular disease progression as early as possible to enable preventive actions and timely, patient- and family-centered treatment.
- Translating discoveries:油Rapidly moving new understandings of pediatric cardiovascular disease into clinical practice and commercial applications to help as many children as possible.
- Health equity:油Ensuring underserved and underrepresented pediatric populations are included in, and benefit from, research advances. We are committed to providing Whole Child Health, and this approach will help children nationwide both inside and outside the hospital.
- Data integration:油Combining clinical data, multi-omics data, imaging, and patient outcomes to reveal new insights.
- Artificial intelligence:油Using AI to understand and analyze heart disease symptoms and clinical disease processes and cardiac imaging, aiming to improve diagnostics, personalize treatments, and predict outcomes to optimize care.油
Clinical Trials & Research Studies at 消消消消消消消娼瞳
Pediatric clinical trials and research studies are important for advancing medical knowledge and improving care for kids around the world. Our researchers lead clinical research to study new drugs, treatments, devices, and techniques. We also contribute to national registries and collaboratives to further research in this area. Find a clinical trial or study now.
Research油Partnerships
We expand our knowledge and leverage diverse perspectives with partnerships and collaborations within and outside our field of study. Partnerships include:
UCF Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences
Our researchers work side-by-side with scientists at the University of Central Florida in a located in Lake Nona's "Medical City," just minutes from our hospital campus. This partnership puts us at the heart of a vibrant scientific community where ideas and innovations flourish.
FIRE Research Program with UCF College of Medicine
Through the 油with UCF College of Medicine, we connect medical students with experienced mentors who guide their research development. Many students achieve first authorship on peer-reviewed publications, launching careers in pediatric cardiovascular research while bringing fresh perspectives to our work.
Biobank & Molecular Analysis Program
Our robust multisite programs provides access to a biobank containing over 600 cardiac specimens and cutting-edge molecular analysis capabilities. This partnership allows us to conduct sophisticated studies of heart tissues that reveal the genetic and cellular foundations of congenital heart disease.
Related Research & Clinical Focus
Researcher at 消消消消消消消娼瞳 often align with multiple research areas, affiliated labs, and clinical programs to support discovery and care systemwide.
Cardiac Center, Florida
CLINICAL CARE
Pediatric cardiology and specialty care at 消消消消消消消娼瞳 Childrens Hospital, Florida and throughout Northeast, Northwest, and Central Florida.
Cardiac Research
RESEARCH AREA
Our researchers study congenital and acquired heart conditions to advance pediatric cardiology through innovation in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.