Scholar Spotlight: David Tofovic, heart health and sickle cell disease
Collaborative Endeavors Podcast: Season 4, Episode 1
Episode Summary Heading link
Dr. David Tofovic, a rising star in cardiology, is paving new paths in the study of cardiovascular health, particularly in patients with sickle cell disease.
An assistant professor in the division of cardiology and CCTS KL2 scholar, Tofovic leads innovative projects like the UIC Sickle Cell Disease Cardiovascular Database -S(CD)2– and the Multi-Ethnic Dilated Cardiomyopathy Registry. He shared insights into his research on atrial fibrillation in sickle cell patients and his efforts to address disparities in heart health among underrepresented groups.
Sickle cell disease affects an estimated 25-35 million people globally, yet Tofovic believes that current research significantly underrepresents the full impact of the condition. He emphasizes that sickle cell is not just a blood disorder but a systemic disease impacting multiple organs, including the heart. With patients living longer due to medical advancements, Tofovic’s research focuses on understanding how sickle cell disease affects the cardiovascular system over time.
“People with sickle cell disease are now living longer, but what’s really unfulfilling as somebody who cares for individuals with sickle cell disease, is that we’ve plateaued in how long people are living who have [this] disease,” said Tofovic.
Tofovic’s work aims to bridge gaps in treatment by studying heart arrhythmias in these patients, which could lead to new preventative measures and treatments, ultimately extending both lifespan and quality of life for this population. Through his KL2 award, he is developing a robust clinical and biorepository database that will allow future generations of researchers to expand on his findings.
“Sickle cell disease is challenging to study for a couple of reasons. You need a big enough sample size, and for a long time, we just haven’t had that. What’s exciting for us is that we’re in this bustling age of technology that allows us to interconnect systems and process these larger groups of data,” said Tofovic.
Tofovic is also committed to ensuring that research efforts reach underserved populations by creating culturally and socially competent methodologies. As he continues to push the boundaries of translational science, Tofovic envisions a future where his work not only advances heart health but also addresses the research gaps affecting millions living with sickle cell and other rare diseases.