University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center

Sarver Heart members, including Jessika Iwanski, MD, PhD, Jared Churko, PhD, and Carol Gregorio, PhD, with other collaborators published new research highlighting a potential pathway for targeting Leiomodin 2-related cardiomyopathies. Read more: https://go.nature.com/4gtjBEh

: a new study uncovers adducin as a key regulator of sarcomere disassembly during cardiomyocyte mitosis. Authors include SHC Director Dr. Sadek and Associate Director Dr. Sadayappan. Read more: https://bit.ly/47vgOqa

Please join us on Wednesday for a special lecture from Visiting Professor, Dr. Hossein Ardehali. Dr. Ardehali's presentation will focus on his research surrounding the role of iron in various cardiovascular diseases.

The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson appointed Sakthivel Sadayappan, PhD, MBA, as the new head of the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and associate director of basic science at the Sarver Heart Center, effective Aug. 12. Dr. Sadayappan has co-authored papers with our director, Dr. Sadek, as well as collaborated with SHC members Dr. Tardiff, Dr. Harris, and Dr. Colson.

Please join us on Wednesday, July 24th for a special lecture by the University of Wisconsin's Ahmed I. Mahmoud, PhD. Dr. Mahmoud will present "Metabolic Reprogramming of the Adult Heart to a Regenerative State". Lunch will be provided. Email [email protected] to RSVP.

Sarver Heart member Dr. Ike Chinyere stands with Lisa Stutz, Jennifer Stingly, and Naomi James who shared their impactful experiences with heart disease at the annual Breakfast in Red this morning. Dr. Chinyere gave a keynote lecture on new cardiac technologies.

Thanks to all who shared their stories to promote women’s heart health and help close the gender gap in cardiovascular medicine.

National CPR and AED Awareness Week We are spotlighting how lives can be saved if more Americans know these life-saving skills.

Congratulations to the class of 2024 UArizona Sarver Heart Center fellows, who graduated this Saturday. Thanks to all the staff and faculty who made this special event possible and helped shape the next generation of cardiologists.

Sarver Heart member Elizabeth Juneman, MD was listed among the 2024 Rising Star Women of Medicine by Women We Admire. Just after handing off the reins as interim director of the Sarver Heart Center and interim chief of the Division of Cardiology to Hesham Sadek, MD, PhD, the publication named Dr. Juneman among 25 top doctors and healthcare practitioners in the U.S. Our congrats to Dr. Juneman for this well-deserved recognition! Read more: https://bit.ly/3JZAk34

A new study unveils a potential avenue for treatment of heart disease: Hesham Sadek, MD, PhD, Director of the Sarver Heart Center, and colleagues published an article in the American Heart Association journal Circulation. Investigators identified a key protein in heart muscle cell division, adducin, which they manipulated to create structural changes in the cells. These findings could inform new treatment strategies for heart disease that promote regeneration of damaged heart tissue. Read more: https://bit.ly/3wnvtFO

Our new director, Dr. Sadek, led the Sarver Heart Center team at the Heart Walk this morning. trainers taught Sarver Heart Center-founded chest-compression-only CPR to hundreds of attendees. Thanks to all who walked with us to end heart disease and stroke, we’ll see you again next year!

You've learned how to breathe for better health, manage stress, and cope during emergencies. Now, join us for our final OLLI lecture on Friday, where Talal Moukabary, MD will share the life-changing power of exercise in "Exercise for Cardiac Rehabilitation". Register for free: https://bit.ly/3x0ST3I

Wish someone would tell you what to expect in case of a cardiac illness? Join us on Friday when our next OLLI speaker, Sharanyah Srinivasan, MBBS, will discuss coronary artery disease and what to expect from treatment. Register for free: https://bit.ly/3vbq5F7

Last week, Dr. Tavoian taught you how your breath can heal you from within. This Friday, put your skills to the test! Elizabeth Juneman, MD will co-present "Mindful Heart Health" with yoga instructor Sheila Kressler and meditation leader Lara Bianco. The class will include an informational presentation, followed by (you guessed it) a chair-based yoga class and guided meditation. Register at https://bit.ly/3xbd6Ue

From Sahuarita and central Tucson to Vail and Tucson Village Farm, Sarver Heart Center members are educating the community.

This Spring, we’ve covered heart valve disease, atrial fibrillation, Life’s Essential 8, vascular and brain health, and even provided Stop the Bleed trainings. Sarver Heart outreach continues with our OLLI lecture series on Fridays at 11. Register at the link in our bio.

UPDATE: This Friday's OLLI lecture speaker will be Dallin Tavoian, PhD. Dr. Tavoian will share his research on inspiratory resistance training (IRT) and the benefits on vascular and brain health. Register for free at https://bit.ly/3TJePJr. We hope to see you there!

The 4-part Sarver Heart Lecture series at OLLI UA starts this Friday! Members and non-members can register for this free series right here in central Tucson. Register here: https://bit.ly/4cdwYpY

Join us at the Tucson Roadrunners First Responders Night on Saturday, March 16th! Sarver Heart representatives will offer chest-compression-only CPR demonstrations throughout the game, and SHC member and CCO CPR co-founder Dr. Karl Kern will be featured on the jumbotron between periods demonstrating the three steps. Discounted tickets are available here: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Sarverheart
We hope to see you there!

Next Thursday, please join us at Green Valley Recreation Canoa Hills Social Center for "A Conversation about Heart Valve Disease" presented by Dr. Arka Chatterjee. This presentation is free & open to the public. Questions? Email [email protected]. We hope to see you there!

Sarver Heart member Mathew Hutchinson, MD performed the first procedure with Farapulse Pulsed Field Ablation System, a new, clinically proven ablation technology used to treat atrial fibrillation. Banner University Medical Center—Tucson will be the first non-trial site in the Western U.S. to provide this technology. The Farapulse PFA system has been shown to reduce the risk of complications related to ablation, improving patient outcomes and quality of life. As leaders in the field of cardiovascular medicine, Sarver Heart clinicians bring cutting-edge scientific innovations from bench to bedside. This technology will be available to patients in March 2024.

Read more: https://www.bannerhealth.com/newsroom/press-releases/banner-begins-offering-groundbreaking-atrial-fibrillation-device

Sarver Heart Center enrolled its first patient into the COSIRA II study this week. Led by Michel Corban, MD and colleagues at Banner University Medical Center—Tucson, COSIRA II is studying a promising treatment option for patients with refractory angina (or chest pain). The goal of the study is to determine if such treatment will reverse myocardial ischemia for patients and if there will be a reduced reliance on cardiac medications. The study is also measuring if this therapy will improve quality of life for patients.

From farm to family, Sarver Heart Center is cultivating a community rooted in wellness. Dr. Juneman, Cara, and volunteers empowered youth and families with essential heart health information at the Barnyard Trot event this weekend.

Adventure awaits at this Saturday! Register for the Barnyard Trot, which includes an adventure course with tables from 12 community organizations, including the Sarver Heart Center. We'll share 8 essential ways to take care of your heart. The event wraps up with a pancake breakfast. We hope to see you there!

Heart Month may be drawing to a close, but Sarver Heart docs don't stop! Next week, Dr. Peter Ott will present "Atrial Fibrillation and Other Heart Rhythm Disorders" at the Voyager Lecture Series in Vail. Questions? Email [email protected]. We hope to see you there!

Sarver Heart member Craig Weinkauf, MD, PhD reminds us of the brain benefits associated with a heart-healthy lifestyle. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising daily (Dr. Weinkauf recommends walking at least 1 mile per day) can help prevent heart disease and stroke, as well as reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction. Learn more heart healthy tips at heart.arizona.edu

Next Thursday, please join us at Green Valley Recreation Canoa Hills Center for "Optimizing Cardiac Health: Preventing Heart Disease" presented by Dr. Ravi Vuthoori. This presentation is free & open to the public. Questions? Email [email protected]. We hope to see you there!

A novel cardiac patch was proven effective for treating chronic heart failure by Sarver Heart member Dr. Steven Goldman and his lab. Other available medical treatments show only limited success in treating the nearly 65 million people who suffer from this disease globally. The November 2023 publication in Nature has substantial implications for impacting survival and quality of life for patients with chronic heart failure.
Dive into the innovative findings from "Biologically derived epicardial patch induces macrophage-mediated pathophysiologic repair" here: https://go.nature.com/48nz6cm

Don't miss our first of three free community lectures this month! Next week, Dr. Craig Weinkauf will present "Vascular Considerations for Brain Health" at the Voyager Lecture Series in Vail. Questions? Email [email protected]. We hope to see you there!

ICYMI: you can make a difference this Valentine's Day. Donate blood at the 2024 Sarver Heart Day of Giving and get a $20 Amazon gift card, plus be entered to win prizes from local restaurants and a 60-minute massage.
- Save up to three lives with one blood donation
- Learn lifesaving skills from Stop the Bleed trainers
- Engage with our local partners, including & more and earn extra raffle entries

Register at the link in our bio. Thank you for spreading love & kindness this Valentine's Day!

Sarver Heart Interim Director Dr. Elizabeth Juneman went red for American Heart Association - Arizona’s with Department of Medicine Chair Dr. James Liao, Sarver Heart researchers, plus the cardiology teams from Banner campuses. Thanks to all for helping us bring awareness to heart disease in women!