Current Research Aim: To develop a novel patient-specific approach to identify individuals at risk of heart attacks

Traditional methods of assessing a patient’s risk for a heart attack based on symptoms and risk factors frequently underestimate and do not individualize risk based upon the coronary artery disease that an individual actually has. Optimized use of available treatments could prevent a majority of premature cardiac events, but the right individuals need to be identified. We will employ coronary CT angiograms to develop a novel diagnostic approach that is personalized to the patient, and that will identify unique findings of plaques that can trigger early medical and invasive therapies to prevent heart attacks from occurring.

Cardiac Imaging Research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Under the direction of Daniel Berman, MD, Cardiac Imaging Research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has established a worldwide reputation as a leader in investigating powerful new methods of detecting, evaluating and treating heart disease.

About the Cardiac Imaging Research Team

The mission of the Cardiac Imaging Research Team (CIRT) is to develop nuclear cardiology, cardiac CT and cardiac MRI methods that will help reduce death and disability from cardiovascular diseases. Through research and development of noninvasive imaging techniques, CIRT’s goal is early detection and prevention and ultimately, eradication of heart attacks.

CIRT is a nonprofit, self-funded research organization housed in the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Cedars-Sinai Cardiac Imaging Research Team

Cardiac Imaging Research Team Investigators

• Daniel Berman, MD
 Director, Cardiac Imaging 
Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute 
Professor of Imaging
Medical Director, Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Program
Medical Director, Biomedical Imaging Research Institute
 Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
 Professor of Medicine, UCLA
• John Friedman, MD
 Associate Director, Cardiac Imaging  
Clinical Professor of Medicine, UCLA

• Sean Hayes, MD
 Staff Physician, Cardiac Imaging  
Outcomes Director, Cardiac Imaging
• Louise Thomson, MBChB 
Director, Clinical Cardiac MRI  
Assistant Professor of Medicine, UCLA
• Reza Arsanjani, MD 
Attending Physician, Cardiac Imaging
• Damini Dey, PhD 
Research Scientist, Cardiac Imaging 
Assistant Professor, UCLA
• Guido Germano, PhD 
Scientific Director, AIM Program
 Professor of Medicine, UCLA

• Piotr Slomka, PhD 
Research Scientist, AIM Program 
Professor of Medicine, UCLA
• Serge Van Kriekinge, PhD
 Research Scientist, AIM Program
 Assistant Adjunct Professor of Medicine, UCLA