Division of Cardiovascular Medicine

About the Division

The Division of Cardiovascular Medicine is at the forefront of the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. The scope of activities in the Division ranges from the early diagnosis and treatment of patients identified as at risk for cardiovascular disease to cutting-edge medical, device and invasive therapies for patients with established disease. We are dedicated to preventing, treating and expanding the existing knowledge base of the causes of cardiovascular disease to ensure the best outcomes for our patients.

The Division has an active clinical practice at Los Angeles General Medical Center, which includes a 10-bed CCU with telemetry capabilities, consultative services and an outpatient cardiology clinic. We provide 24-hour consultation services for general cardiology, interventional cardiology, and electrophysiology. The Cardiac Catheterization and Electrophysiology laboratories are under the supervision of the Division, with programs in interventional cardiology and interventional electrophysiology. The Division also runs a busy STEMI-Receiving Center at Los Angeles General Medical Center. The STEMI program currently holds the number one position for fastest door-to-balloon time in LA County.

The Division has a robust clinical research program with a group of certified coordinators operating through our Clinical Research Unit (CRU). A wide variety of high quality, scientifically ground-breaking protocols are expertly and ethically conducted. Protocols range from NIH funded studies, to multicenter trials to physician generated trials. USC is nationally recognized for the high quality cardiac research it produces.

Research

The Division is actively conducting various research projects under the oversight of its Cardiovascular Research Unit (CRU), directed by Dr. Ray Matthews (Medical Director) and Dr. Leonardo Clavijo (Associate Director). Areas of research include carotid artery disease, coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction, congenital heart disease, heart failure and electrophysiological heart disorders.

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Patient Care

Human genetic research in the 21st century is highly collaborative, and members of the Centers are among the leaders of these international efforts. Specifically, the center’s faculty are active members of several large studies and consortia that have been assembled to facilitate investigation into the genetic basis of disease.

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