Cardiologists Come Under The Glare Of A Senate Inquiry

摘要

Research universities are nervously viewing an expanding Senate inquiry into alleged financial conflicts of interest among faculty members. Last week, Columbia University came under the spotlight. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) publicly challenged the university to explain the industry ties of a group of Columbia cardiologists who work with a nonprofit that receives funding from medical device makers. This money may be biasing some faculty members' views on stents and other heart devices, Grassley suggests. Grassley zeroed in on the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), which conducts clinical trials on devices and drugs, according to its Web site.