Dr. Ko is a cardiologist and a researcher. Her research program in aging research in cardiology is dedicated to generating evidence for and implementation of safe and effective novel cardiovascular therapies in medically complex older adults. She received her medical degree at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons and completed Internal Medicine Residency and Cardiovascular Medicine Fellowship at Boston Medical Center. Dr. Ko was a previous recipient of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/Merck Research Fellowship in Cardiovascular Diseases and Cardioemtabolic Disorders. Her research program is funded by a K23 and a R01 awards from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Stroke prevention in Atrial Fibrillation (AF) has undergone a paradigm shift in the past decade. Availability of direct oral anticoagulants has substantially reduced the risk of bleeding complications of anticoagulation therapy and left atrial appendage occlusion is now emerging as an alternative to anticoagulation for people at high bleeding risk. But these therapies have been under-studied and under-utilized in medically complex older adults with AF, who make up the majority of the AF population. With the factor XIa inhibitors being tested in phase 3 clinical trials, Dr. Ko aims to build a geriatric pharmacoepidemiology program to generate evidence, in a more timely manner, for high risk older populations with AF.
