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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


Effects of angiotensin-neprilysin inhibition in women vs men: Insights from PARAGLIDE-HF.

Journal Article Am Heart J · October 2025 BACKGROUND: Sub-analyses of key trials suggest a preferential benefit for specific heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) therapies in women. This work investigated treatment effects between women and men in the PARAGLIDE-HF (Prospective co ... Full text Link to item Cite

A Beginner's Mind –Reflections for the Trainee Through the Retiree

Journal Article Journal of Cardiac Failure · July 1, 2025 Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Research Triangle Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation

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

BalanceD-HF

Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by AstraZeneca UK Limited · 2024 - 2027

Physical Rehabilitation for Older Patients with Acute HFpEF-The REHAB-HFpEF Trial - Trial Administration

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Wake Forest University Health Sciences · 2022 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications


Emory University · 2003 M.D.