MedStar Heart Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., has entered into a clinical and research alliance with the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute at Cleveland Clinic.

“By working together, we will be developing and sharing new and better treatments and therapies,” Kenneth A. Samet, president and CEO at MedStar Health, said in a press release.

The two organizations will share best practices related to disciplines within cardiology and cardiac surgery. MedStar Heart Institute physicians will work with Cleveland Clinic on quality outcomes and protocols to accelerate improvements in heartcare and research.

This clinical and research alliance builds on a relationship between MedStar Health and Cleveland Clinic. The two formed an Innovation Alliance in 2011, to develop new ideas, strategies and technology for the healthcare marketplace.

“[O]ur teams are already working closely on advanced research studies,” Toby Cosgrove, MD, president and CEO of Cleveland Clinic, said in the release. “This new alliance is an ideal opportunity to formalize our relationship to benefit patients and enhance our clinical collaboration.”