Welcome to the Cardiovascular Bioengineering Enterprise at The Ohio State University This program was funded through the Third Frontier Program from the State of Ohio.  
Objectives Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and among the citizens of Ohio. In fact, mortality from cardiovascular diseases among men and women has reached epidemic proportions and accounts for more deaths cancer, HIV related illnesses, and accidents combined. Innovative discoveries in medicine, heightened public awareness programs, and advances in the quality of clinical care have reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with heart disease. It is undisputed that the earlier treatment strategies can be initiated in patients with cardiovascular diseases, the greater the impact on survival and quality of life for both patients and their families. The goal is to perform clinical studies with the most advanced cardiovascular imaging technologies including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), multislice computed tomography (CT), digital flat panel x-ray imaging (XR), and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) with the central focus of identifying and characterizing atherosclerotic plaque. These technologies show promise in improving diagnosis and therapy in cardiovascular disease; appropriate implementation requires design and analysis by both the engineers on the technical side as well as the clinicians who understand the challenges in cardiovascular medicine. In collaboration with the leading pharmaceutical manufacturer of imaging contrast agents (Berlex/Schering), clinical studies will be conducted to assess new approaches and uses of contrast agents to image and characterize atherosclerotic disease. This will be accomplished by assessing improved and new contrast agent applications in all the imaging modalities: X-ray, CT, MR, ultrasound and radionuclide techniques; establishing and assessing the corresponding new image processing and visualization techniques; evaluation of new imaging pathways such as targeted agents and; establishing new imaging pathways as molecular imaging methodologies can be integrated. |
