A good example of a successful translational approach is our erythropoietin (EPO) line of research. EPO is known as a hematopoietic hormone; however, non-hematopoietic effects were discovered a decade ago. In experimental studies, we found that EPO in acute myocardial infarction and in chronic heart failure decreased infarct size and improved cardiac function. These experimental data resulted in a small pilot study followed by a large multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the effect of EPO in 529 patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction. These studies demonstrate the realization of a clear translational research line – starting with isolated rats hearts, via experimental acute myocardial infarction studies and eventually leading to a large, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial.
