Dr. Robert Kloner

Dr. Robert A. Kloner is a well-known cardiologist and cardiovascular scientist with expertise in myocardial ischemia, heart attacks, cardioprotection, and vascular biology. Dr. Kloner primarily conducts his practice through his associations and research in the Los Angeles region. He is primarily focused on the mechanisms of heart attacks, the development of improved therapeutic strategies, and the creation of prevention strategies.

Dr. Kloner is the chief science officer and the director of the cardiovascular research program at the Huntington Medical Research Institutes and is also a professor of medicine (clinical scholar) at USC’s Keck School of Medicine. He was previously the director of research at the Heart Institute of Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles.

Dr. Kloner completed his internship and residency through the Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals and pursued his fellowship in cardiology and research through the guidance of Dr. Eugene Braunwald, among other notable scientists. Dr. Kloner was previously associated with Harvard Medical School as a faculty member and Brigham and Women’s Hospital as a clinician.

Dr. Kloner has over 45 years of experience and is a founder and developer of fundamental concepts such as “no-reflow phenomenon,” “stunned myocardium,” and ischemic preconditioning. The concepts are fundamental to understanding damage and recovery after a heart attack. Dr. Kloner is a prolific writer, author, or co-author of over 700 peer-reviewed publications, 200 book chapters, and several medical textbooks.

Dr. Kloner is a highly accomplished and decorated scientist and educator. Some of his honors and achievements include the American Heart Association Established Investigator Award, the American Society of Clinical Investigation, and being one of the “Most Cited Researchers” in cardiovascular medicine. Additionally, he was listed as “Best Doctor in America” and is a recipient of several national research and leadership awards.

One of the perspectives that is evident in the research and publications is the need to protect the heart at a cellular level, especially during a heart attack. The publications and research are consistent with the perspective that protecting the heart and improving recovery mechanisms after a heart attack improve outcomes for patients.