World-renowned cardiologist receives 2011 TCT Career Achievement Award

Prize honors pioneer in interventional cardiovascular medicine

Eric J. Topol, MD, a world-renowned cardiologist and physician-scientist, was presented the 2011 TCT Career Achievement Award in a ceremony held today during the 23rd annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF). The award is given each year to a pioneer in the field of interventional cardiovascular medicine.

One of the leading cardiologists in the United States, Dr. Topol spearheaded the discovery of multiple genes which increase a person's risk of heart attacks and pioneered the development of critical heart care therapies now used in daily practice - therapies such as clot busters, anti-platelet agents and angioplasty devices. He has led more than 15 international, multi-center research trials involving 40 countries and more than 200,000 patients. He is also a leader in the movement to modernize medical treatment through wireless digital innovative technologies.

TCT Directors, Martin B. Leon, MD and Gregg W. Stone, MD jointly presented the award, which recognizes pioneering work in interventional medicine and extraordinary talent and dedication in both research and clinical endeavors. Dr. Leon is the Founder of CRF and Professor of Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Director of the Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Stone is Professor of Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Director of Cardiovascular Research and Education at the Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. Both serve as Co-Directors of the Medical Research and Education Division at CRF.

"We are proud to honor Dr. Topol with the TCT 2011 Career Achievement Award," said Dr. Stone. "As a clinical trialist and educator, Dr. Topol has set the benchmark to which we all aspire. His ground-breaking research in acute myocardial infarction and interventional pharmacology has directly benefitted millions of patients with cardiovascular disease. And now, his singular devotion to cardiovascular genomics promises to open a window to novel approaches for the prevention and treatment of heart disease."

"Dr. Topol's current work in personalized medicine and digital technology positions him as a leader in the movement to modernize medical treatment - creating new, more effective ways to treat patients," Dr. Leon added. "His ground-breaking research in cardiology and genomics has provided more treatment and prevention options for patients and transformed our understanding of how genetics can determine a person's risk of heart disease."

Dr. Topol is currently a Professor of Genomics at The Scripps Research Institute and Chief Academic Officer of Scripps Health in La Jolla, California. He also leads the flagship NIH supported Scripps Translational Science Institute and is a co-Founder and the Vice-Chairman of the West Wireless Health Institute.

Previously, Dr. Topol served as Chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, where his cardiovascular program was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as number one in the nation in patient care and research for 12 years. His upcoming book, The Creative Destruction of Medicine: How the Digital Revolution Will Create Better Health Care, which addresses the convergence of the digital revolution and medicine, will be released in January 2012.