Satsuki Yamada, M.D., Ph.D.

Satsuki Yamada, M.D., Ph.D., is a physician-scientist in the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases. Her research interests include regenerative therapy, arrhythmia, imaging and pharmacology in heart failure.

Heart failure is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and this trend will continue to increase as the population ages. Current pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies are palliative in nature and don't address the failing myocardial substrate.

The goal of Dr. Yamada's research is to advance pathophysiology-based approaches in heart failure and ultimately maximize outcomes in heart failure management.

Focus areas

• Regenerative therapy for cardiac diseases. One of Dr. Yamada's projects, "Cell/Gene-Based Therapy in Congenital and Acquired Dilated Cardiomyopathy," targets myocardial repair of structural, mechanical, electrical and metabolic elements in failing hearts.
• Cardiac dyssynchrony. Dr. Yamada and her colleagues aim to establish prophylactic and curative cardiac resynchronization therapy focusing on the root cause of disease in high-risk cohorts refractory to conventional pharmacological and device therapies.
• Cardiac imaging. Dr. Yamada and her team are developing an original high-fidelity system to analyze cardiac electromechanical coupling.

Other focus areas for Dr. Yamada include cardiac stress adaptation and cardiac clinical pharmacology.

Significance to patient care

It is essential to diagnose disease when it's first initiated prior to overt organ failure. In this regard, sensitive yet specific noninvasive imaging methods provide critical insight into the pathogenesis of the disease process.

Dr. Yamada's project "High-Fidelity Cardiac Imaging System" aims to detect origin, extent and risk of disease, as well as responsiveness to intervention. A tool to navigate the timing and location of intervention would contribute to improved safety and efficacy of heart failure treatment.

Professional highlights

• Vice Chair, Organ Specific Diseases Section, American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Travel Award, International Society for Stem Cell Research
• Scientist Development Award, American Heart Association National Center
• Young Investigator Award, American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics