An important mission of the NIH is to the conduct of research that elucidates biological mechanisms, pathogenesis and treatment of diseases. Clinical research has evolved into an increasingly narrow focus on specific diseases and disease presentations in select subgroups of patients. It is desirable and consistent with Clinical Center policy, for clinical investigators to maintain exposure to a more broad spectrum of disease and disease presentations than mandated by the clinical research protocols in order to preserve clinical skills of physician and nursing staff, ensure adequate training of clinical research fellows, and stimulate ideas for future clinical research. This protocol permits evaluation and treatment of patients with cardiovascular diseases who do not fulfill eligibility criteria for participation in existing clinical research protocols, but who are of medical interest for the purpose of training professional staff.
