Research and Clinical Trials
Each day, UPMC’s physicians and scientists collaborate to explore and develop new and exciting treatments and technologies in the field of cardiac medicine and surgery. Whether developing an innovative procedure for younger patients with atrial fibrillation, making patients less dependent on medication, or developing non-invasive ways to detect the presence of calcification in the major arteries, UPMC physicians and researchers consistently are at the cutting edge, employing new technologies and treatments for the benefit of patients.
In the field of medical research, physicians and scientists rely on two forms of research: basic and clinical.
Basic Research
Basic research is the avenue by which new knowledge is obtained. It is normally undertaken without a specific end use for that knowledge in mind. This research addresses central questions about biological, behavioral, and social systems underlying wellness and disease, uncovering the underlying mechanisms and elements of life and health. Basic research also provides the broad base of knowledge that can make breakthroughs possible.
Clinical Research
Clinical research studies, or clinical trials, involve living human individuals or materials from them, such as tissue samples. A researcher or colleague involved with the study directly interacts with patients. This kind of research is undertaken to find better ways of identifying and caring for people in poor health. Patient-oriented research focuses in a few different areas, including mechanisms of human disease, therapeutic interventions, clinical trials, and development of new technologies.