Research
The Section of Cardiac Electrophysiology has an active research program in place. From several NIH grants to participation in clinical trials, UI Heath and UIC cover the full spectrum of scholarly work and cutting-edge research in heart rhythm disorders.
Dr. Darbar’s research:
Dr. Darbar is a clinician scientist with national leadership recognition in the genetics and pharmacogenetics of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and its response to therapy. He has used one of the largest AFib clinical registries that he has built over the last 15 years to dissect the genetic basis of AFib, to identify clinical and genetic subtypes, and to thereby lay the groundwork for precision-based approaches to treatment.
Dr. McCauley’s research:
Stroke is the leading cause of death in patients that have AFib. Research in Dr. McCauley’s lab is focusing on ways to reduce the burden of strokes in patients who have AFib. In the past, blood thinners were the only way of preventing strokes in these patients. However, blood thinners have many side effects (such as bleeding) that limit their use in some patients. Dr. McCauley’s studies assess new ways to prevent stroke in patients with AFib without the use of blood thinners.
Dr. Wissner’s research:
Dr. Wissner is interested in new technologies that advance treatment in patients with abnormal heart rhythms such as the improvement of non-invasive mapping systems to localize an abnormal heart rhythm from outside of the heart. This maximizes patient safety while at the same time providing excellent precision. In addition, Dr. Wissner and the Section of Cardiac Electrophysiology participates in large registries and multi-center trials in order to continuously improve patient care and their long-term outcomes.
For more information on Cardiac Electrophysiology research, visit UIC’s Section of Cardiac Electrophysiology.
