The echocardiography laboratory uses state-of-the-art Philips, Seimens and General Electric imaging systems and a Camtronics digital ultrasound image storage and processing system. The laboratory uses Tom-Tec reconstruction software for three-dimensional imaging. Areas of interest include:

• brachial and carotid artery imaging protocols for noninvasive evaluation of endothelial function and subclinical atherosclerosis
• evaluation of ventricular and vascular contributions to diastolic dysfunction
• evaluating the effects of medical therapy on left ventricular remodeling and shape change in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy
• evaluating innovative digital software and ultrasound equipment
• ongoing evaluation and participation in developing digital ultrasound image processing and storage and report systems
• evaluating three-dimensional reconstruction techniques for clinical and research echocardiography
• participating in national trials for evaluating innovative ultrasound contrast agents
• evaluating the impact of hand-held echocardiographic imaging instruments on clinical practice
• participating in multiple studies for echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular function in heart failure trials, post infarct trials and trials for evaluation of anti-obesity drugs
• small animal (rat and mouse) imaging to define cardiac structure and function in genetically and/or surgically altered disease models
• evaluation of the atrial septum with intracardiac echo
• evaluating the potential of cardiac elastography for assessing LV function

Faculty participating in clinical and animal echocardiography research include:

Peter S. Rahko, MD, Director
James H. Stein, MD, Associate Director
Nancy K. Sweitzer, MD, PhD