John D. Folts, PhD
Michael S. Van Lysel, PhD
Matthew R. Wolff, MD

The Cardiac Catheterization Research Laboratory, located in the Clinical Science Center, is available to Cardiovascular Medicine faculty and collaborators. It features a Philips Optimus OM200 constant potential, 200 kW x-ray generator and floor-mounted Poly-C parallelogram positioner. Research conducted in the laboratory includes investigations into the physical basis of image quality limitations and improvements, so imaging performance is maintained at a state-of-the-art level. The image intensifier-based imaging chain includes a high-resolution, video-rate, charge-coupled device (CCD) video camera. Image acquisition and storage is provided by a Camtronics VPC image acquisition processor capable of real-time (30-frame/sec) display of 1024x1024x12 image data. Available image quantitation algorithms include quantitative coronary angiography, ventricular wall motion analysis and videodensitometry.

Current extramurally-funded investigations supported by the laboratory include:

• characterizing and developing a very low-radiation exposure, scanning beam, digital cardiac imaging system
• studying cardiac gene transfer and neoangiogenesis in chronic coronary ischemia models, including pigs and primates
• investigating electrode design for cardiac tachyarrhythmia radiofrequency ablation
• restenosis prevention using nitrosated, protein-coated stents
• bowel motility studies comparing intravenous versus intra-arterial barbiturate anesthesia
• quantitative angiography in hypercholesterolemic rabbits and pigs to monitor developing atherosclerosis

Contact Information

Michael S. Van Lysel, PhD
H6/333 CSC
600 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53792
Phone: (608) 263-9650
Fax: (608) 263-0405
Email: msv@medicine.wisc.edu