Peter Kent Smith

Dr. Smith is the Principal Investigator for the Duke site in the Cardiothoracic Surgery Clinical Trials Network (CTSN) and in recent years has focused his research efforts in clinical research. The CTSN is an NHLBI sponsored network developed to promote clinical research in cardiac surgery, and is now entering its 7th year of funding with a commitment now for an additional 5 years. Dr. Smith is the national PI for a randomized clinical trial comparing CABG alone to CABG with mitral repair for moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation. This trial is nearing completion of enrollment, and he is now the PI of a clinical trial of FFR vs angiographically guided CABG expected to begin national enrollment in September of 2013. Duke has participated as a site in 3 additional CTSN trials, and is one of two sites awarded NHLBI funding as a Clinical Skills Education Core. This funding is designed to formally develop surgical clinical trialists and promote clinical research capacity within our specialty. The Duke site has thus far sponsored 6 CTSN scholars who have all received Masters degrees in clinical research, participated in CTSN protocols and other activities of the Network. Additionally, Dr. Smith has been awarded site funding from the Veteran’s Administration to begin VA cooperative clinical research trials at the Durham VA. Through all of these activities, an integration of clinical research, publications, and scholarship with the advancement of clinically effective Thoracic Surgery is the goal.