My research includes:

1. LV diastolic function and diastolic heart failure
3. Pericardial diseases, especially tamponade and constrictive pericarditis
4. Physiology and treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, both obstructive and non-obstructive as well as restrictive cardiomyopathy (most common cause amyloid)
5. Left atrial function—normal and in disease states

I began an active career in these topics in 1984, publishing both experimental (dog) and clinical research using cardiac ultrasound in new ways as a diagnostic tool. The majority of my current research is now clinical, and I am considered national/world expert on all 4 topics.

Many of the investigative techniques we and others described with cardiac ultrasound are now used clinically worldwide. Current areas of interest are to relate how systolic and diastolic function affect each other, and through a more complete understanding of the interrelationship how we can recognize altered mechanics at an early stage in disease like HT, diabetes, and CAD. Left atrial function, a new arena for this, is now recognized as a powerful epidemiologic factor in risk of A-fib, CHF, and C-V morbid events.

Pericardial reserch issues are largely worked out.

Hypertrophic and restrictive cardiomyopathies allow for opportunties with fellow investigators, and I have already collaborated with T tsang an LA function and J. Oh (both MCR) on diastlic function.

My research fits in general with the Foundation-theme topic of heart failure, both systolic and diastolic.