Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute $5 Million Grant to Join the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network

The Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute is joining the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network (CTSN) to partner in research with the top surgical centers in the U.S. The institute will also receive a $5 million grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH) to form a linked clinical research center in partnership with the University of Southern California within the next seven years. A total of five clinical research collaborations will be constructed.

“Saint Luke’s acceptance into CTSN is a significant accomplishment and is representative of the way our cardiovascular researchers are continuing to lead the way on a national level,” said Dr. Adnan Chhatriwalla, Director of Interventional Research and Site Co-Investigator for the CTSN.

CTSN is a prestigious group of several hospitals that helps develop, coordinate, and support studies to improve cardiovascular disease outcomes. As a member of CTSN, Saint Luke’s researchers will be able to contribute to the design of these studies and enroll their own patients into leading clinical trials. The group will also train new up-and-coming academic researchers who can further improve their care of cardiac surgery patients.

“In addition to our mission to continue to advance the field of medicine, this grant will also enable Saint Luke’s to continue in its commitment to provide the latest technologies and procedures to patients in Kansas City and beyond,” said Dr. Keith Allen, Director of the Cardiothoracic Research and Site Primary Investigator for the CTSN.