Echocardiography Laboratory: Research

A multitude of research opportunities exist in the echocardiography laboratory at DHMC. An extensive (greater than 70,000 patient) searchable echo database can be used to explore clinical questions directly related to echocardiography. The lab regularly participates in the Beta testing of new equipment. The lab supports and provides animal echocardiographic imaging within the structure of the angiogenesis research center. Specifically, quantitative echocardiographic assessment of regional wall motion during Dobutamine infusion in a porcine model of coronary occlusion is performed before and after treatment with various angiogenic factors. This model is also allowing us to test new approaches to evaluate myocardial perfusion with echo. Additionally, high resolution imaging of a genetically engineered mouse model of myxomatous valve disease is ongoing. Also, echocardiographic assessment of myocardial infarct size in genetically modified mice is ongoing. There is continuing research in the lab evaluating echocardiographic tissue characterization techniques and novel approaches to ultrasound signal processing. Finally, three-dimentional (real time) echo guidance of endomyocardial injection is being studied.

On going Clinical Trials involving DHMC echocardiographers include:

ACCOMPLISH – Randomized, Multicenter Evaluation of Amlodipine/Benazapril versus Benazapril/HCTZ on the reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with high risk hypertension.

Principal Investigator: Robert T. Palac, MD
Sub-Investigator: Alan Jansujwicz, MD

ECHO/CRT - Prospective echo lab database project evaluating new echocardiographic measures of cardiac dyssynchrony in predicting response to resynchronization therapy with biventricular pacing.

Co-investigators: Salvatore Costa, MD and Mark Greenberg, MD

I-PRESEVE - Irbesartan in Heart Failure w/ Preserved Systolic Function: This study will evaluate the effectiveness of irbesartan, an A-II receptor blocker,to the standard treatment of congestive heart failure in patients with normal left ventricular systolic function.

Principal Investigator: Bruce Hettleman, MD
Sub-Investigator: David Malenka,MD

MMVD Study: This study will evaluate the levels of an enzyme called 3-OST-1 are different in patients with myxomatous mitral valve disease compared to age matched normal controls. Lower levels of this enzyme were noted to present in a knockout gene mouse model of myxomatous valvular disease.

Co-investigators: Robert T. Palac, MD and Nicholas W. Shworak, MD, PhD

For more information on research in the DHMC Echo Lab, or to find out if you or a patient of yours may be suitable for enrollment in a research trial at DHMC Cardiology, please visit our cardiology research section.