The Interventional Research Core Laboratory has a fully equipped and accredited animal hybrid interventional-operating fluoroscopy suite capable of routine and fluoroscopic imaging for large animal work. Housing is located on an adjacent floor. The facility has all of the equipment necessary for multivessel physiology and invasive hemodynamic studies and studies involving mechanical circulatory support. It is led by an Interventional Cardiologist and staffed by a pre-clinical surgeon, a DVM research associate and two experienced large animal technologists. The team works closely with the Director of the Tufts Comparative Medicine Services (Tufts CMS), a veterinarian with more than 30 years of small and large animal research experience. Animals are examined at least daily by the veterinarian staff and research personnel according to the AAALAC and NIH guidelines. In addition, Tufts CMS animal histopathology laboratory has dedicated pathology staff to support studies in the Core.
Leadership
The Interventional Research Core Lab is directed by Lara Reyelt, CVT, SRS, a full-time member of the Special and Scientific Staff of the MCRI with extensive surgical expertise in novel cardiovascular studies.
Dr. Navin Kapur serves as the Scientific/Medical Director of the MCRI Interventional Research Core Lab, working closely with Ms. Reyelt and the core lab staff, investigators, and the medical device and pharmaceutical community on research plans, policies and procedures and ensures that all research in the core is carried out with the highest ethical standards for the use of animals. Dr. Kapur is a Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, an Interventional Cardiologist at Tufts Medical Center, an Investigator in the MCRI and the Executive Director of the CardioVascular Center for Research and Innovation.