Heart Research Centers International

Heart Research Centers International (HRCI) was a clinical research organization (CRO) that specialized in the management and execution of cardiovascular clinical trials. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company operated as a subsidiary of MedCath Corporation, a healthcare provider known for its national network of specialized heart hospitals. HRCI leveraged this hospital network to provide pharmaceutical and medical device companies with access to specialized investigators and patient populations for cardiac research. The company provided a range of services including trial design, site monitoring, and regulatory support specifically tailored to the cardiovascular field. While active during the late 1990s and 2000s, HRCI ceased operations following the strategic liquidation and sale of MedCath's assets in the early 2010s. Its legacy is tied to the integrated model of combining specialized cardiac care facilities with dedicated clinical research capabilities.