Tests
Cardiac modalities
Transthoracic echocardiography with M-mode, 2-dimensional and 3-D echo. Spectral/color flow Doppler and Tissue Doppler Imaging (DTI), strain imaging.
Myocardial perfusion imaging
using stress/pharmacological interventions with myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE).
Vascular function imaging
Endothelial function using flow-mediated dilation (FMD with high-resolution brachial artery ultrasound) and finger plethysmography (with EndoPAT device); Vascular compliance/stiffness/elasticity by tonometry for assessment of pulse wave analysis/pulse wave velocity/augmentation index (PWA/PWV/AI with Sphygmocor device) and large C1/small C2 artery elasticity (with HDI device); Carotid ultrasound imaging using carotid intima media-thickness (C-IMT with echo and Panasonic CardioHealth devices); Other vascular bed assessment including but not limited to abdominal aorta (AA) imaging and eye/retinal scan.
Cardio-pulmonary exercise testing and cardio-metabolic function
12-leads ECG (rest/exercise), cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET) with gas exchange analysis (rest/exercise oxygen uptake or VO2), six-minute walk test (6MWT), pulmonary function test (PFT with portable spirometer). Resting energy expenditure (REE) and body mass composition by bio-electrical impedance analysis (available with the consultative input from the Bio-nutrition Core).
Cardiovascular hemodynamic monitoring/testing
Cardiothoracic bio-impedance (Cardiodynamics device); Holter ECG monitoring; 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (Space-Labs Medical Model ABPM devices); Continuous beat-to-beat arterial finger hemodynamic monitoring (Portapres device); Tilt-testing; T-wave alternans.
Clinical trials and project development consultation
Since its existence in 2000, the core lab has been (1) participating in several clinical trials from investigator-initiated and university/school to government and pharmaceutical company funded projects to NASA space medicine/life science consortium and also (2) serving as a coordinating center.
Health Education and Outreach
Heart lab
The core lab is providing much needed support across various programs (MD, MSMS, PA, MSCR) for students and medical residents specifically as it relates to clinical research skill development and echo-lab techniques under its "heart lab" programs. These include the application of ultrasound imaging to gross anatomy/physiology and various pathophysiologic conditions of interest with live hands-on echo-demo using “standardized patients/volunteers” as well as cutting-edge high-fidelity simulation device.
Contribution to science
Under “Advances in Medical Education and Practice" platform, one of the core lab's peer-reviewed published works entitled "Integrating High-Fidelity Simulation into a Medical Cardiovascular Physiology Curriculum"
Integrating High-Fidelity Simulation into a Medical Cardiovascular Physiology Curriculum has provided some groundwork basis for further rewarding research collaboration with the office of digital learning (ODL) from the department of medical education as well as the student body. Working together with one of our first year medical students as co-author was not only rewarding by making a significant contribution to the process but also starting further showcasing students' footprints in medical education scholarship. This has been in keeping with the call for action by the school's President-Dean to further encourage publishing all types of scholarly activity.
Pipeline educational outreach and health careers
In this context of heart lab activities (i.e., applied ultrasound imaging to gross anatomy and physiology of the heart), the core lab is further providing support of the school's office for educational outreach and health careers as relates to various programs on cardiovascular sciences from (1) the "S.T.E.A.M. 9-12" (Science, Technology, Engineer, Art, Math) and (2) undergrad college students to (3) the school-wide "First Look" program (a pipeline program a pipeline initiative to providing insightful resources for undergraduate students thinking about applying to medical school) by leading live hands-on echo-demos using high-fidelity simulation.
Community services and mobile unit
The core lab is actively involved with various community services by showcasing its capabilities with hands-on echo-demos for the recurring donor events including but not limited to the "Hugh Gloster fundraiser society. This in order to further support the school's mission under the institutional advancement annual events, aimed at not only helping elevate the school’s impact in the community but also providing scholarships for students as well as support for respective research and community engagement programs.
Internship
The core lab is providing internship-rotation from local schools of ultrasound and support of undergraduate students from various programs including but not limited to NIH NIDDK Short-term Education Program for Underrepresented Persons (STEP Up), Vivien Thomas Summer Research Program, Georgia State University, Spellman College, NASA/Ames MBRS and Morehouse College, etc.