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Robert John Mentz

Associate Professor of Medicine
Medicine, Cardiology
NP-8062, DCRI. PO Box 17969, Durham, NC 27715
NP-8062, DCRI. PO Box 17969, Durham, NC 27715

Overview


I am a cardiologist with a clinical and research interest in heart failure (going from Failure to Function), including advanced therapies such as cardiac transplantation and mechanical assist devices or “heart pumps."

I serve our group as Chief of the Heart Failure Section.

I became a heart failure cardiologist in order to help patients manage their chronic disease over many months and years. I consider myself strongly committed to compassionate patient care with a focus on quality of life and patient preference.

I am the Editor in Chief of the Journal of Cardiac Failure - The official journal of the Heart Failure Society of America.

My research interests are focused on treating co-morbid diseases in heart failure patients and improving outcomes across the cardiovascular spectrum through clinical trials and outcomes research. Below, you will find my specific research interests:

  •     Cardiometabolic disease
  •     Co-morbidity characterization (diabetes, sleep apnea, renal failure) in heart failure
  •     Phenotypic characterization and risk prognostication of patients with heart failure
  •     Role of surrogate and nonfatal endpoints in clinical heart failure trials
  •     Biomarkers in heart failure
  •     Novel pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to heart failure
  •     Improving site-based heart failure research

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor of Medicine · 2023 - Present Medicine, Cardiology, Medicine
Associate Professor in Population Health Sciences · 2020 - Present Population Health Sciences, Basic Science Departments
Member in the Duke Clinical Research Institute · 2014 - Present Duke Clinical Research Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published March 29, 2024
We Love Eggs, But Want Healthy Cholesterol
Published August 28, 2023
Intravenous Iron Treatment May Benefit Heart Patients
Published July 14, 2022
Duke-UNC Health Project Wins 3rd Place in American Heart Association Heart Failure Data Challenge

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Recent Publications


Navigating heart failure: a plain-language summary to empower people with heart failure.

Journal Article Heart Fail Rev · December 2025 Heart failure is a chronic condition that can result from multiple causes and occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Heart failure is often classified by ejection fraction (or 'heart squeeze'), into three categories: prese ... Full text Link to item Cite

Early diagnosis and treatment of acute heart failure in prehospital and emergency settings. Part 1 of the International Expert Opinion Series on acute heart failure management.

Journal Article Eur J Emerg Med · December 1, 2025 Acute heart failure (AHF) is diagnosed in about 0.5% of all patients seen by emergency medical systems (EMS) and represents about 1% of emergency department (ED) visits. Leg swelling and shortness of breath are the most frequent patient complaints. Despite ... Full text Link to item Cite

Special topics: heart failure-related cardiogenic shock, valvular heart disease and end-stage renal disease. Part 4 of the International Expert Opinion Series on Acute Heart Failure Management.

Journal Article Heart Fail Rev · December 2025 Acute heart failure (AHF) remains a major global health challenge, contributing significantly to morbidity, mortality, and healthcare resource utilization. Among its clinical phenotypes, heart failure-related cardiogenic shock (HF-CS) represents a particul ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Safety and Efficacy of the Alleviant No-Implant Interatrial Shunt in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction

Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Alleviant Medical, Inc. · 2025 - 2032

Research Triangle Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill · 2023 - 2028

Journal of Cardiac Failure

Public ServicePrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Heart Failure Society of America · 2021 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications


Emory University · 2003 M.D.