Cure & Curiosity at Advanced Heart and Vascular Institute of Hunterdon

09/02/2025

❤️ Lp(a): The Hidden Cholesterol That Could Be Harming Your Heart

Join us for a free heart health seminar on September 17, 2025, at 6 PM to learn about Lp(a) — the “hidden cholesterol” that can increase heart disease risk even when your regular cholesterol levels are normal.

📍 Location: Elks Lodge, Flemington, NJ
🎙 Presented by Dr. Andrey Espinoza
💡 Admission: Free

Spots are limited — reserve your seat today!
🔗 https://hunterdonheartandvascular.com/free-public-health-seminar-lpa-the-hidden-cholesterol-and-its-impact-on-heart-health-september-17th-2025/

07/17/2025

🚨 BIG NEWS from our Research Division! 🚨

Today, we officially enrolled our first patient in the GREAT trial, a cutting-edge clinical study evaluating a new atherectomy device called the Golazo device!

A note from Dr. Espinoza:

⚽️ As a former soccer player, I couldn’t help but smile at the name — Golazo literally means “an incredible goal” — and that’s exactly what we’re aiming for in this trial: big wins for patients suffering from peripheral arterial disease.

This milestone represents not just progress in vascular innovation, but the strength of our growing research program and our team’s dedication to advancing care.

Grateful to everyone involved — and excited for what’s to come. Let’s keep scoring goals for science and patient outcomes. 💥

07/15/2025

🧬 Advanced Heart and Vascular Institute of Hunterdon

RESEARCH DIVISION NEWSLETTER

Issue: July 2025



A New Era Begins: Our Research Division Renovation Is Complete!


We are excited to announce the official completion of the full renovation of our Research Division — a bold, beautiful, and functional space designed to reflect the innovative spirit of the work being done within its walls.


What was once a concept has now been brought to life — a dedicated environment where science, technology, and patient-centered discovery converge. The transformation marks a major milestone in our ongoing commitment to advancing cardiovascular medicine through research, innovation, and collaboration.


What This Space Represents:

🔬 A hub for groundbreaking clinical trials in cardiovascular disease, genetics, and peripheral vascular health
📈 An environment that fosters team-based innovation, efficiency, and excellence
🤝 A beacon of trust for our patients, sponsors, and academic collaborators
Cutting-Edge Research Now Underway

Our team is currently engaged in several exciting studies, including:


PARAMOUNT – a personalized medicine study for advanced coronary artery disease
TRANSFORM - CCTA imaging insights into high risk ASCVD patients
GREAT trial - new atherectomy device for the treatment of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease
Investigations into inflammatory markers, longevity, and vascular aging


These studies not only enhance our understanding of complex disease processes but also bring hope to patients seeking answers beyond traditional care pathways.
A Message from Dr. Andrey Espinoza

“This space is more than a physical transformation — it’s a commitment to our future as physician-scientists. It’s where breakthroughs begin, where collaboration thrives, and where we reaffirm our mission to lead from the front. I couldn’t be more proud of our team for turning vision into reality.”


Thank You to Our Team:

This achievement would not have been possible without the incredible dedication of our research staff, coordinators, and support teams. You are the heart of our innovation, and this space is a reflection of your talent and determination.



Visit Us

We welcome collaborators, sponsors, and partners to come see the new space, meet our team, and explore opportunities to join us in pushing the boundaries of cardiovascular research.



📍 Advanced Heart and Vascular Institute of Hunterdon

🧪 Research Division – Now Open and Thriving

Contact us today to learn more: research@ahvi-nj.com

07/11/2025

🫀 Research Friday: Lipoprotein(a) – A New Clue in Heart Disease Risk
Doctors are learning that a type of cholesterol called Lipoprotein(a)—or Lp(a)—may be an important risk factor for heart attacks. A new study just added more evidence that Lp(a) deserves serious attention.

🔍 What Did the Study Show?
Lp(a) Linked to Dangerous Plaques

People with high Lp(a) had more vulnerable plaques in their heart arteries.

These plaques are more likely to break apart and cause a heart attack.

New Treatments Are on the Horizon!

Current cholesterol medications don’t lower Lp(a).

Researchers say we need new drugs to target it directly—and some are already being tested.

Lp(a) Levels Vary Around the World

A global study found big differences in Lp(a) levels between countries.

For example, people in Africa had higher average levels than those in Europe or Asia.

This means that some regions may have more people at risk.

Other Risk Factors Still Matter

Many people with high Lp(a) also had high blood pressure, high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, or smoked.

Doctors say we should treat all these risks—not just Lp(a) alone.

💬 Why This Matters
This research gives us better tools to predict heart disease and shows why personalized treatment is so important. Not everyone has the same risks, and future medicines could help lower Lp(a) to prevent heart attacks in high-risk people.

Read more below!

New Research Adds to Growing Evidence Surrounding Lp(a), Including Global Prevalence May 28, 2025 Font Size A A A New original research – part of a special JACC focus issue on lipids – adds to the growing body of evidence surrounding lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) and its contribution as an independent ...

07/08/2025

Happy Trivia Tuesday!
Question: What’s the most common type of heart disease?

A) Heart failure
B) Atrial fibrillation
C) Coronary artery disease
D) Valve disease

💡 Answer: In the comments!

Our research team is working on trials that help treat and prevent all types of heart disease. Be part of the future of heart care!

07/04/2025

🇺🇸 Happy Fourth of July from Advanced Heart and Vascular Institute of Hunterdon! 🎇

Today, we honor the courage, resilience, and spirit that built our nation. As we celebrate independence, we’re reminded that good health — especially heart health — is key to enjoying the freedoms we cherish every day.

At AHVI, we’re proud to contribute to that freedom through cutting-edge cardiology research. From advancing treatments to improving quality of life, our work is driven by the belief that everyone deserves a strong, healthy heart.

❤️ Stay safe, celebrate responsibly, and take care of your heart this holiday.

07/03/2025

Tech in Cardiology Thursday: Innovation at the Heart of It All 🫀💡
From smartwatches to AI, technology is revolutionizing the way we detect, manage, and prevent heart disease.

This week, we’re spotlighting:

Wearable ECG Monitors —
These compact devices are helping detect irregular heart rhythms like AFib in real-time, giving patients and providers earlier insight — and better outcomes.

💬 Did you know some of our clinical trials now include wearable monitoring to collect real-world, continuous data?
It’s heart research, elevated.

🔍 Stay tuned as we continue to explore how innovation is reshaping the future of cardiovascular care.

07/01/2025

🩺 Research shows just 20 minutes of brisk walking benefits us all health wise!

Check out the article below:

Don’t overthink it — start with a lap around the block after dinner.
Movement is medicine.

https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/start-with-a-step-and-walk-your-way-to-better-health

There's a wealth of evidence showing walking improves heart and brain health and helps people.

06/25/2025

Happy !
Did you know, Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease, and it happens when the arteries that supply blood to your heart become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup?

💡 Why it matters:
CAD can lead to chest pain, heart attacks, and even heart failure — but early detection and treatment can save lives.

What you can do:

- Manage blood pressure & cholesterol

- Quit smoking

- Stay active

- Choose heart-healthy foods

- Stay informed through regular checkups

🔬 At AHVI we’re currently enrolling participants in clinical trials that are exploring new diagnostic methods for CAD.

➡️ Interested in learning more or seeing if you qualify? Send us a message or visit our website to schedule an appointment with our research team to be screened.

Together, we can move closer to a future with fewer heart attacks and more healthy tomorrows. ❤️

06/23/2025

Not every breakthrough makes headlines—but every one changes lives.

A more accurate test. A less invasive treatment. A faster recovery.

This week, we celebrate the “small wins” that make a big difference for patients.

06/20/2025

Research Spotlight: FDA Clears Spur Stent System – A New Era in CLTI Treatment!

Advanced Heart and Vascular Institute of Hunterdon is proud to have served as an enrolling center in the DEEPER REVEAL clinical trial, which supported the FDA De Novo clearance of Reflow Medical’s Spur™ Stent System—a breakthrough for patients suffering from chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

Why This Matters:

The Spur™ Stent System offers a novel, retrievable scaffold therapy (RST) for treating below-the-knee (BTK) lesions—providing temporary mechanical support to improve blood flow and vessel remodeling without leaving a permanent implant.
In the DEEPER REVEAL trial:
• 99.2% technical success
• 97% freedom from major adverse limb events (MALE) and perioperative death (POD) at 30 days

Read more about the trial on ClinicalTrials.gov:
🔗 https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05358353

Why It’s Significant:

CLTI poses a major challenge in vascular care, with high amputation and mortality rates. The Spur system gives physicians a new option—designed to optimize outcomes while minimizing long-term implant risks.

Our Role:

AHVI was honored to support this national research effort by enrolling patients and contributing to the data that made this FDA clearance possible. Advancing clinical science is part of our mission to deliver leading-edge care to our community.

Check out the full article:
🔗 https://evtoday.com/news/reflow-medicals-spur-stent-system-granted-fda-de-novo-clearance

May 29, 2025—Reflow Medical, Inc. announced that the FDA has granted de novo clearance for the company’s Spur peripheral retrievable stent

06/19/2025

June is Men’s Health Month

Heart disease remains the #1 cause of death for men - affecting every 1 in 3. The good news, it doesn’t have to stay that way.

At Advanced Heart and Vascular Institute of Hunterdon our research team is working on clinical trials that use advanced predictive models to identify early warning signs of heart disease in at-risk populations before symptoms appear.

We're using:

✅ Machine learning algorithms
✅ Genetic and lifestyle risk profiling
✅ Biomarkers of early cardiac stress

💡 The good news?

Heart disease is often preventable. With the right data and the right daily habits, you can take back control of your heart health.

🔍 This Men’s Health Month, take one small step:

➡️ Get a blood pressure check
➡️ Know your cholesterol numbers
➡️ Move your body—30 minutes a day
➡️ Talk to your doctor about your family history

Your lifestyle + our science = a future with fewer heart attacks, strokes, and emergency surgeries.

Let’s fight heart disease with knowledge, action, and innovation.