Dr. Jiafu Ou
General Cardiologist and Chief of Non-invasive cardiology at the St. Louis VADr. Jiafu Ou is a General Cardiologist and Chief of Non-invasive cardiology at the St. Louis VA. He has been working with the VA since 2013 and has been involved in multiple research studies for the past 10 years. He is currently the site PI on PREVENTABLE (Top 3 enrollment among VA sites) and VICTORIAN 2 PREVENT (Top 5 enrollment among US sites), and VICTORIAN 1 PREVENT (enrolling now). Passionate about fellow and research training and education.
Dr. Ou Interview with VREF:
NIH-sponsored trial, “PRagmatic EValuation of evENTs And Benefits of Lipid-lowering in oldEr adults (PREVENTABLE)” is a large, multi-center clinical trial investigating the potential benefits of the statin drug atorvastatin in preventing dementia, disability, and cardiovascular events in older adults (75+ years) without existing cardiovascular disease or dementia since 2020. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, I quickly adapted by implementing remote enrollment procedures. This adaptation led to our site achieving the third highest enrollment among all VA sites and the 18th highest overall, despite limited resources. My active involvement extended nationally, where I served on the Recruitment & Retention Subcommittee and contributed as a co-author to the 2023 publication detailing the trial’s design and rationale.
Leveraging my background in lipid research, I facilitated the inclusion of two significant trials at VA St. Louis Healthcare System: the secondary outcome trial, VICTORION-2 PREVENT, and the primary outcome trial, VICTORION-1 PREVENT, which investigated the novel lipid lowering by siRNA for PCSK9, inclisiran. Our site achieved the highest enrollment among all VA sites and ranked fifth overall in North America for VICTORION-2 PREVENT.
What motivated you to become involved in research at the VA?
Following my basic science and clinical training in the U.S., I developed a keen interest in clinical research, which was further solidified through specialized training during my cardiology fellowship under the guidance of Dr. Robert Gropler. The shift towards clinical research was motivated by a desire to advance medical knowledge and enhance patient care through evidence-based practices. Clinical research provides an opportunity to explore new treatments, refine existing protocols, and address gaps in current cardiology practices. Engaging in research allows me to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, thereby improving patient outcomes and contributing to the field of cardiology.
What is the potential impact of your research on Veterans and, more broadly, the field of Cardiology?
By conducting high-quality clinical trials and research projects, I aim to generate evidence that directly influences patient care protocols and treatment outcomes and bring the best care to veterans.
What do you find most rewarding about participating in research as a PI?
Participating in clinical trials has provided me with valuable insights into emerging treatments and therapeutic approaches, enabling me to contribute meaningfully to advancements in cardiology. This role not only allows me to be at the forefront of scientific discovery but also places me in a position to impact patient care directly by evaluating and implementing new interventions. It is joyful to work with energetic research team at Veterans Research and Education Foundation of St. Louis.