Scientific highlights of the cardiology department of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences

World Congress on Hypertension and Cardiovascular Diseases

November 21-22, 2018 | Paris, France

Remigijus Zaliunas

Lithuanian University of Health
Sciences, Lithuania

Keynote: J Cardiovasc Dis Diagn

Abstract :

Clinical and teaching activities of the Cardiology Department of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences are inter-related with extensive scientific research. Scientific studies include joint research projects with other scientific �?? Research or Clinical Departments of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, such as Molecular Genetic laboratory, Epidemiologic laboratory, Ophthalmology and Radiology Departments, etc. Epidemiologic genetic studies include evaluation of the frequency of allele variants, investigations of 5A allele and its impact on the remodeling of ischemic myocardium. Genetic studies are focused on the analysis of the impact of SCARB1 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs5888 with plasma lipid profile and association with CAD in Lithuanian population characterized by high morbidity and mortality from CAD, on the search of molecular biomarkers to identify patients at risk for sporadic ascending aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection and on pharmacogenomics of anticoagulants and antiplatelets. A prospective cohort study is carried out for evaluation of links between cardiovascular changes and genetic, metabolic and lifestyle cardiovascular risk factors in middle-aged individuals. MRI and echocardiographic studies include evaluation of left ventricular mechanics in functional ischemic mitral regurgitation in acute inferior myocardial infarction, comparison of dobutamine stress speckle tracking echocardiography and adenosine stress MRI in assessing significant coronary artery stenosis in patients with moderate and high probability of CAD, search of predictors of positive response to cardiac resynchronization therapy, evaluation of MRI feasibility to determine myocardial scar transmurality using the functional parameters alone. Two big studies are carried out in collaboration with foreign partners: �??A clinical trial for the assessment of safety and efficacy of the laser wire ablation for the interventional treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. A first in human feasibility trial�?� and FP7-HEALTH-2013- INOVATION project �??DISCHARGE �?? Diagnostic imaging strategies for patients with stable chest pain and intermediate risk of coronary artery disease: comparative effectiveness research of existing technologies�?�.

Biography :

Remigijus Žaliūnas is an Academician, Professor, Habilitated Doctor (Biomedical sciences, Medicine), Full Member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, Rector of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Head of the Department of Cardiology at the Medical Academy of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Chairman of the Kaunas Region Society of Cardiology, President of the Lithuanian Tennis Union of Physicians, Member of the Executive Committee of the Lithuanian Student Basketball League, Member of Kaunas City Council of Academic Affairs, Member of the Board of the Association Santaka Valley, Doctor Honoris Causa of Moldova State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemitanu”, and an Honorary Consul of France in Kaunas. He has defended his Doctoral thesis in 1990 and his Habilitation thesis in 1995. In 1996, he was awarded the degree of an Associate Professor, and in 1999, the degree of a Professor. He is the author of 266 scientific publications, co-author of eight textbooks and seven teaching books.

E-mail: rektoratas@lsmuni.lt