Cardiac OEF or PAD/diabetes study

Mentor: Jie Zheng, Associate Professor of Radiology

Lab description: Our lab is focusing on development and translational of cardiovascular imaging techniques for basic science research and clinical study. The major imaging modalities are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). Current projects involve applications of myocardial oxygenation in cardiac patients and peripheral tissue perfusion / metabolism measurements in patients with diabetes and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Project 1: This study will evaluate a newly developed cardiac MRI method in human subjects (normal volunteers and cardiac patients). Some of MRI data will be compared with PET images for cross correlation. The goal is to develop and translate a robust non-invasive method for fast assessment of myocardial oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) that represent the balance of oxygen supply and demand. This will enhance clinical understanding to the severity of various cardiac diseases including coronary artery disease, heart failure, etc.

Project 2: We developed comprehensive MRI tools for evaluating peripheral perfusion and metabolism. The goal of this project is to apply and evaluate the disorders in peripheral muscle associated with vascular and metabolic diseases in skeletal muscle of patients with diabetes, heart failure, PAD, etc. This project involves exercise physiology, imaging acquisition, and data analysis.