Jesse E. Edwards Registry of Cardiovascular Disease

The Jesse E. Edwards Registry serves as a vital repository of knowledge that is regularly utilized by practicing cardiac surgeons, cardiologists and other physicians worldwide, particularly those dealing with rare or unusual cases.

The extensive collection enables researchers and cardiovascular specialists in training to examine multiple examples of conditions so rarely seen that, without the specimens in the Jesse E. Edwards Registry, patterns of the disease would likely not be apparent.

Our mission and goals are:

• To provide consultative diagnostic service for referred cardiovascular specimens derived from surgically resected tissue and autopsies.
• To provide educational opportunities, primarily by preceptorial experiences, for the study of cardiovascular disease.
• To participate in investigational studies of cardiovascular disease.

What is the Registry

Specimens come from autopsies or surgical pathology referrals from many different institutions all over the United States and overseas including hospitals, medical examiners, medical device companies and organ procurement facilities.

Upon receipt of these specimens, our pathologists complete diagnostic and investigational studies with a detailed analysis and report. Our specimens are cataloged and cross-referenced for posterity, to be used for many purposes, including the study of both congenital and adult heart diseases now rarely seen.

We not only have almost every known heart disease, but multiple specimens of each. We continue to gain knowledge through teaching and research on our nation's No. 1 killer, heart disease.

Our history

The Jesse E. Edwards Registry of Cardiovascular Disease was founded in the early 1960s by Jesse E. Edwards, MD, at Miller Hospital in St. Paul, Minn. By 1987, the collection had grown in size and prominence and moved to more appropriate facilities in the St. Paul Heart and Lung Center. At that time the directorship was turned over to Jack L. Titus, MD, who is renowned in the cardiovascular world.

• Jesse E. Edwards, MD, has made significant contributions to the field of cardiovascular disease. He is widely recognized as the first person to correlate clinical and pathological data in cardiology, and his work on the interplay between the heart and lungs is considered a medical landmark. Dr. Edwards founded the Registry in 1960 and retired in 1987. His opinions were widely sought by pathologists, cardiac surgeons and cardiologists around the world, and he continued to publish cardiac pathology textbooks until his death in 2008 at the age of 96. 
  
• Jack L. Titus, MD, PhD, was the medical director and senior consultant of the Cardiovascular Registry from 1987- 2004. Dr. Titus was a renowned cardiovascular pathologist recognized worldwide.

What we offer

• The Registry is recognized as an international center for cardiovascular research, education and training.
• Our pathologists provide cardiac and forensic evaluation and consultative services for pathologists, medical examiners, coroners, hospitals and device companies.
• The Registry has more than 21,000 cardiac specimens, making it one of the largest comprehensive and active collections.
• The Registry has examples of congenital and acquired heart disease, including many sudden cardiac death cases referred by medical examiners and coroners.
• The Registry continues to work closely with the cardiovascular medical community to stay up to date with the most recent conditions, diseases, procedures and treatment programs.
• The Registry also works with various medical device companies who continue to develop new technologies in the fight against cardiac disease.

Staff

• Shannon M. Mackey-Bojack, MD, medical director, is a forensic and cardiovascular pathologist. She trained with both Drs. Edwards and Titus and joined the Registry in 2004. As the Registry's Medical Director, she is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Registry.
• Emily R. Duncanson, MD, cardiovascular pathologist, is a forensic and cardiovascular pathologist. She joined the staff in 2008.
• Judy Anderson, office supervisor, and Krista Barsness, administrative assistant, provide exceptional support to our staff and visitors.