Cardiovascular Diseases

At Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio in Pisa, most studies focus on cardiovascular diseases, especially conditions linked to high risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. The research is aimed at testing new treatments, assessing whether they can lower major cardiovascular events, and improving overall disease management.

  • Atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention
  • Coronary artery disease and diagnostic imaging
  • Heart failure, hypertension, and broader cardiovascular risk reduction

This portfolio also includes studies on elevated lipoprotein(a), atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and treatment effectiveness in patients with established or high-risk heart disease.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Cardiac Amyloidosis

A major research theme is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy, with trials exploring symptom relief, exercise capacity, and long-term safety of emerging therapies. These studies are designed to improve care for patients with structural heart disease and amyloid-related cardiac damage.

  • Symptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy
  • Evaluating new treatments and monitoring disease progression

The site also investigates prevention in people at risk of ATTR cardiomyopathy, reflecting a strong interest in early detection and disease modification.

Pulmonary Vascular and Heart Failure Research

The department runs trials in pulmonary arterial hypertension and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, where the main goal is to improve exercise tolerance, symptoms, and clinical outcomes. These studies help assess whether new therapies can better support patients with complex cardiopulmonary disease.

  • Pulmonary arterial hypertension
  • Pulmonary hypertension with preserved heart function
  • HFpEF treatment and tolerability studies

Research at this Italian cardiovascular center also includes efforts to refine treatment strategies for patients whose symptoms remain difficult to control with standard care.

Imaging, Biomarkers, and Metabolic Risk

Another important area is the use of cardiac imaging and biomarkers to improve diagnosis and risk prediction in heart disease. Trials here examine whether novel scans or blood-based approaches can detect disease earlier and guide better treatment decisions.

  • Coronary artery disease detection with advanced imaging
  • Cardiac amyloidosis diagnosis using PET-based approaches
  • Lipoprotein(a), diabetes, and metabolic cardiovascular risk

There is also research on nutritional and metabolic diseases, including studies in people with type 2 diabetes and elevated cardiovascular risk, aiming to improve prevention before major events occur.