Project Details
Description
PROJECT DESCRIPTION/ABSTRACT
Candidate: Dr. Tweet’s long-term goal is to become an independent clinical investigator in the
field of coronary artery disease in women. Her short-term goal is to explore the vascular,
autonomic and microvascular phenotypes in women with a history of spontaneous coronary
artery dissection (SCAD). To achieve these goals, Dr. Tweet will: 1) acquire the expertise
required for her scientific aims; 2) improve her data analysis skills via coursework and
biostatistical support; 3) develop scientific leadership skills and collaborative relationships to
move this field forward. Environment: The Mayo Clinic SCAD Registry is the largest
international SCAD registry. Dr. Tweet’s primary mentor, Dr. Joyner and her Career Advisory
Committee have the expertise and mentorship qualities to guide Dr. Tweet’s career
development as a physician-scientist. Background: SCAD is a leading cause of
nonatheroembolic acute coronary syndromes in women. Most patients do not have traditional
risk factors such as tobacco use, hyperlipidemia, or diabetes. Rather, peripheral arterial
abnormalities such as fibromuscular dysplasia are observed in the majority of patients. SCAD is
associated with stress, exercise, and pregnancy. Recurrent SCAD occurs in 10-30% of
patients. Specific Aims: We will aim to assess arterial structure and mechanics (Aim #1),
neurovascular function (Aim #2), and microvascular function (Aim #3) in women with SCAD.
Study Design & Outcome Measures: This is a prospective study of women evaluated in the
Mayo Clinic SCAD Clinic. Measurements will include arterial thickness and stiffness,
sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity and autonomic responses to sympathoexcitatory to
standardized stressors, and myocardial perfusion echocardiography with dobutamine stress.
Relationship to Career Goals of the Candidate: The projects in the application will be
instrumental for the candidate’s career development by facilitating: scientific management and
leadership skills, acquisition of new research techniques, and generating interdisciplinary and
multi-institutional collaborative alliances. Thus it is the next logical step in her research career
progression. Relationship to the NHLBI Mission: The proposed project is consistent with the
NHLBI strategic vision for understanding underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of disease
and for improving study of diseases affecting women. It is consistent with the NHLBI’s interest
in hypertension, sympathoexcitation and cardiovascular disease risk. It is also consistent with
broader NIH goals related to training the next generation of clinical investigators.
Status | Active |
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Effective start/end date | 9/1/21 → 8/31/24 |
Funding
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: $160,894.00
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