# Targeting cardiovascular events to improve patient outcomes after sepsis

> **NIH NIH R01** · BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS · 2020 · $710,585

## Abstract

ABSTRACT / PROJECT SUMMARY
We propose the “Targeting cardiovascular events to improve patient outcomes after sepsis” study to identify
opportunities to improve long-term patient outcomes after sepsis through the discovery of novel, potentially
modifiable, risk factors for post-sepsis cardiovascular events. Sepsis is a life-threatening, dysregulated
response to infection and the most common illness leading to hospitalization in the United States, affecting ~1
million Americans yearly. Cardiovascular complications are among the most common reasons for morbidity, re-
hospitalization and death after sepsis. Approximately 1 in 3 sepsis survivors are hospitalized for cardiovascular
events in the year following sepsis. Cardiovascular complications after sepsis are common, but the risk factors
are undefined and likely differ from traditional cardiac risk factors. In addition, prescribing patterns of potentially
cardio-protective medications are unclear and effectiveness of traditional cardiovascular risk-modifying
treatments after sepsis are uncertain. We propose to use longitudinal, granular, electronic health record data
across multiple centers to address knowledge gaps involving predictors of cardiovascular complications,
practice patterns of cardiovascular risk modification, and effectiveness of therapies prescribed to reduce
cardiovascular risk in the especially vulnerable period after sepsis. We have assembled a team with expertise
in using longitudinal electronic health record data to study novel cardiovascular risk factors and sepsis with
state-of-the-art methods. Results from our study will provide new insights into the common intersection of
sepsis with cardiovascular events and will inform current therapeutic strategies, as well as the conduct of future
randomized trials investigating novel methods to reduce cardiovascular complications and improve patient
outcome after sepsis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9923730
- **Project number:** 5R01HL139751-03
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS
- **Principal Investigator:** Allan J. Walkey
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $710,585
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-15 → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9923730

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9923730, Targeting cardiovascular events to improve patient outcomes after sepsis (5R01HL139751-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9923730. Licensed CC0.

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