Geriatric Cardiology Center

The Forman Geriatric Cardiology Lab is involved in NIA and NIH-funded clinical research focusing on cellular mechanisms that underlie incidence and distinctiveness of cardiovascular disease in older adults, as well as optimization of cardiovascular therapeutics in older adults. One of the current research studies focuses on cellular translational work particularly on mitochondrial energetics in skeletal muscle in older adults with the utility of nitrites to enhance physical function. Other focuses involve innovative approaches to cardiac rehabilitation to enhance clinical outcomes of older adults with cardiovascular disease in the context of multimorbidity, sarcopenia, frailty, cognitive impairments, and other geriatric complexities.

Current studies in The Forman Geriatric Cardiology Lab:
NO-Frail: Nitrites, Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Bioenergetics, and Physical Activity in Old Age

MACRO: Modified Application of Cardiac Rehabilitation for Older Adults

• Major Goals: The major goals of this project are to show that MACRO improves cardiac rehabilitation participation and clinical outcomes, particularly in regard to physical function and quality of life, in a randomized controlled trial of older adults who are eligible for cardiac rehabilitation.
  

PREVENTABLE: Pragmatic Evaluation of Events and Benefits of Lipid-Lowering in Older Adults

MOBILE-IC: Metformin Benefits Lower Extremities with Intermittent Claudication

In 2023, the Forman Geriatric Cardiology Team added a Med Graphics Ultima Series Exercise Testing Cart that provides the team with the bandwidth top perform Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing(CPET) on a cycle ergometer or treadmill, and Pulmonary Function tests (PFTs). The system is equipped with a Bluetooth Mortara ECG monitor for resting and exercise monitoring, and metabolic data can be collected via a Hans Rudolph facemask or mouthpiece.