Opened in 2011 by Sir William Castell LVO, the William Harvey Heart Centre stands as a beacon of hope. This center tackles the growing burden of heart disease and stroke worldwide. It represents a significant investment of £25 million in cardiovascular research. The William Harvey Heart Centre specializes in bringing together laboratory work with practical engagement.
Imagine scientists in white coats meticulously studying samples. Picture clinicians working directly with patients. The William Harvey Heart Centre makes this crucial connection possible. Its Clinical Trials Unit can draw upon a range of experts. These experts come from Queen Mary University and Barts and The London NHS Trust. They test the findings of lab research. The WHRI’s links with GP practices in east London provide access to a diverse group of patients. These patients participate in clinical trials.
Did you know that the land beneath the William Harvey Heart Centre has a unique history? It was one of the last remaining bomb sites in Central London. The Medical College of St Bartholomew’s Hospital Trust sold the land. However they ensured that developers built the outside of the William Harvey Heart Centre as well as flats for commercial sale.
The Medical College of Saint Bartholomew’s Trust funds various projects. These projects further medical and dental education and research at Barts and the London Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London. The Trust made a significant contribution by funding the fit-out of the lower ground floor laboratories and plant at the Centre. The Trust continues to fund the Chair in Vascular Inflammation at the Institute. Currently, Professor Federica Marelli-Berg holds the position.
The William Harvey Heart Centre is part of the NIHR Barts Biomedical Research Centre. It provides the cardiovascular research hub for the £400m rebuild of St Bartholomew’s Hospital. This opened in 2014. Our ethnically diverse east London community suffers from appalling rates of heart disease. This may be due to undiscovered risk factors. These factors may offer the basis for new treatments. We are uniquely placed to act as a research window for these communities. These communities come from emergent nations across the world.
There are 1 billion people worldwide with high blood pressure. High blood pressure contributes significantly to coronary disease and stroke. Although blood pressure lowering therapies exist, there remains an unmet need for novel therapies. Up to 50 per cent of those treated fail to achieve their target. This is partly due to treatment resistance. We lead international and national studies. These elucidate the genetic basis of these disorders. We have identified and confirmed novel genes affecting blood pressure and coronary disease. Characterizing the functional effects of these genes is a vital next step.
Professor Andrew Tinker leads a major group. This group investigates disorders of heart rhythm. Professor Richard Schilling leads the Clinical study of electrical activity in the heart. The clinical group have developed novel approaches to computer mapping of triggers for disorders of rhythm. They are developing approaches using 3-dimensional advanced imaging.
At the William Harvey Heart Centre Professor Ken Suzuki and his team are driving translational programmes. These evaluate a novel bioengineering technology using cellular sheets. This is for surgical grafting onto damaged heart tissue.
The ground floor of the William Harvey Heart Centre houses a state-of-the-art centralised Clinical Trials Unit. In conjunction with Barts Health NHS Trust, the William Harvey Heart Centre is an integral part of the IQVIA Global Prime Site program. Queen Mary University of London was IQVIA’s first partnership. It remains its most successful.
The William Harvey Heart Centre stands as a testament to dedication and innovation. Here, researchers and clinicians work together. They strive to conquer heart disease and stroke. Their efforts offer hope for a healthier future.