Research Interests
1. Dynamic, volumetric physiologic imaging and image analysis with
specific emphasis on the cardiopulmonary system.
2. Cardiopulmonary physiology: cardiac and pulmonary mechanics; pulmonary
ventilation and perfusion; medical informatics; outcomes predictors and
measures in multi-center trials; image data transmission, archiving,
and quality control.
Current Projects
1. Pulmonary ventilation/perfusion relationships: the evaluation of
the non-gravitational determinants of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion
matching; altered relationships in pathologic states such as early lung
inflammation or acute pulmonary embolism.
2. Airway reactivity via HRCCT: utilizing volumetric high resolution
cine CT scanning to evaluate intrapulmonary airway reactivity. Particular
interest for use in the etiology and treatment of asthma.
3. Objective Quantitative Imaging-based evaluation of lung parenchymal
pathology.
4. Development of a Standardized Lung Atlas representing the range of
normality of regional pulmonary structural and functional parameters
measured via high speed, multi-slice, spiral CT. The atlas will then
be used to compare individuals with suspected pulmonary abnormalities
and to follow early progression/regression of disease.
5. Cardiac Mechanics: evaluation of the mechanism for the integrated
functioning of the heart whereby the total heart volume (contents of
the pericardial sac) remains essentially constant throughout the cardiac
cycle. Coupled with this, we are evaluating the interaction between
the heart and lungs with both positive and negative pressure respiration.
Positive pressure breathing, timed to occur in systole improves cardiac
output by as much as 30%.
6. Evaluation of cardiac mechanical efficiency following congenital
heart repair.
