Abhiram Prasad, M.D.

I conduct clinical research in coronary artery disease and percutaneous coronary intervention. Specific topics include:

• Myocardial perfusion and reperfusion injury in patients undergoing percutaneous revascularization
  Recruitment of patients into a randomized phase 1/2 clinical trial exploring the cardioprotective effects of remote preconditioning during percutaneous coronary intervention has recently been completed. Another study that is enrolling patients in the cardiac catheterization laboratory is designed to evaluate the role of the endothelin system on microvascular blood flow following angioplasty in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.
• Outcomes research in percutaneous coronary intervention
  The studies are conducted using data from the Mayo Clinic PCI registry and registries from international multicenter clinical trials of percutaneous coronary intervention such as the CADILLAC, ACUITY and HORIZONS.
• Translational research in early atherosclerosis.
  My research has focused on the role of endothelial function in early atherosclerosis. Previous studies have investigated the impact of acute and chronic effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition and angiotensin receptor blockade on coronary and peripheral endothelial dysfunction. Currently, I am a co-investigator on a NIH funded grant exploring the role of Lp-PLA2 in early atherosclerosis in humans.
• Apical ballooning syndrome (Takotsubo or Stress cardiomyopathy
  Apical ballooning syndrome mimics an acute coronary syndrome. Investigators at Mayo Clinic described one of the first series of such patients in the United States and our work continues to define this novel syndrome. I am currently enrolling patients into a prospective registry to study their natural history. Past studies have investigated microvascular blood flow, electrocardiographic features, coronary anatomy, and left ventricular morphology in apical ballooning syndrome.