Clinical research is carried out by various members of the department. Dr. Nitin Shah is investigating pulse oximetry and depth of anesthesia technologies, Dr. Anne B. Wong is studying cardiac parameters with transesophageal echocardiography during laparoscopic insuflation, and Dr. Cynthia Anderson and Dr. Kimberly Gimenez are investigating clinical anesthetic implications of robotic prostatectomies.
Current Open Protocols
HUMAN
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Lead Researcher Name |
Protocol Title |
|
ALKIRE, MICHAEL T. |
Brain Mechanisms of Awareness During Propofol Anesthesia: A Study Using Positron Emission Tomography Synopsis: To study how the brain works during different states of consciousness |
| ALKIRE, MICHAEL T. |
Brain Mechanisms of Awareness During Isoflurane Anesthesia: A Study Using Positron Emission Tomography Synopsis: To study how the brain works during different states of consciousness |
| ALKIRE, MICHAEL T. |
Brain Mechanisms of Awareness During Inhalational Anesthesia: A Study Using Positron Emission Tomography Synopsis: To study how the brain works during different states of consciousness |
| ALKIRE, MICHAEL T. |
Brain Mechanisms of Awareness During Anesthesia: A Pilot Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Study Synopsis: To identify what parts of the brain must be awake in order to remain in a state of wakefulness |
| ALKIRE, MICHAEL T. |
Brain Imaging Neural Correlates of Low-Dose Anesthetic Action Synopsis: To identify how low doses of anesthetic agents interact with the way the brain thinks |
| ALKIRE, MICHAEL T. |
Characterization and Validation of Regional Cerebral Metabolism and Blood Flow in Normal Adult Humans (a collaboration with UCLA)Synopsis: The UCLA Brain Injury Research Center has been investigating the mechanisms of traumatic brain injury for a number of decades. Their work is attempting to understand the cellular pathophysiology of brain injury using both animal models and human brain imaging techniques. Imaging studies in humans with traumatic brain injury are often complicated by the need to use anesthetic agents to keep patients sedated for scanning. The effects of anesthetic agents have not been well characterized in traumatic brain injury and may well be obscuring effects of relevant pathophysiologic processes. The UCLA group is studying the effects of commonly used anesthetic agents on normal volunteers in order to help elucidate how anesthetic effects might interact with scans from brain injured patients. Dr. Alkire will help analyze the normal volunteer data for its regional anesthetic effects and help clarify what brain systems and circuits might be turned off by low doses of anesthesia, especially those related to memory. Dr. Alkire will only be performing data analyses resulting from this UCLA study. |
|
ALKIRE, MICHAEL T. |
The Effects of S-Ketamine on Regional Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism and Gabaergic Neurotransmission in Man: Data Analysis (a collaboration with Turku University Hospital in Finland) Synopsis: The purpose of this study is to characterize the effects of S-ketamine on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), oxygen consumption (rCMRO2), glucose metabolism (rGMR) and GABAA receptor binding using positron emission tomography (PET). More specifically, this is a post-hoc analysis of an existing data set obtained at the Turku PET Centre in Finland. The new analysis will examine functional and effective connectivity changes caused by ketamine anesthesia. It is hypothesized that ketamine-induced unconsciousness occurs because of a functional thalamo-cortical disconnection effect, similar to what Dr. Alkire has shown happens with inhalational anesthesia. Dr. Alkire will only be performing data analysis resulting from this Turku University Hospital study. |
|
BREEN, PETER |
Gas Kinetics and Metabolism in Anesthesia During Non Steady State Synopsis: Explore and test hypotheses of gas exchange, metabolism, and the state of “tissue wellness” during non-steady state conditions of anesthesia and critical care medicine. Experiments include bench simulations, computer modeling, and clinical studies. |
|
GIMENEZ, KIMBERLY |
Anesthesia Review of Robotic Prostectomies Synopsis: Review of the anesthesia and urology literature lacks information regarding characteristics, intra-operative anesthetic management, and perioperative complications in patients undergoing a robotic prostatectomy. This study will perform a retrospective chart review of all patients who have undergone a robotic prostatectomy at UCIMC since June 2004 to present. The objective is to report our experience with these cases and provide information on demographics, anesthetic management, and perioperative complications. |
|
SHAH, NITIN K. |
Evaluation of TOSCA (Combined SpO2 & Pte CO2 Monitor) in Cardiac and MAC Settings Synopsis: To evaluate the TOSCA (combined SpO2 and PtcCO2 ear sensor) monitor’s usefulness in patients undergoing cardiac surgery receiving general anesthesia, and for surgery patients receiving regional anesthesia and/or monitored anesthesia care for the continuous monitoring of patients’ oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. |
|
WONG, ANNE B.
|
Transesophageal Echocardiography During Pneumoperitoneum for Laparoscopic Urologic Procedures Requiring Steep Trendelenburg or Lateral Decubitus Positions Synopsis: To examine how the heart reacts to the inflation of the abdomen, and how the heart reacts to changes in positioning (Trendelenburg, lateral decubitus) during the beginning portion of the patient’s scheduled laparoscopic urologic procedure. |
NON-ANESTHESIOLOGY DEPARTMENT PROTOCOL (WITH ANESTHESIOLOGY FACULTY INVOLVED)
|
Lead Researcher Name |
Protocol Title |
|
ALKIRE, MICHAEL T.
|
Cognitive Effects of Low Dose Anesthesia Synopsis: identify how low doses of anesthetic agents interact with the way the brain works |
|
WONG, ANNE
|
A Prospective Randomized Trial of Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass vs. Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding for Treatment of Morbid Obesity Synopsis: compare the results of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAP-BANDÒ) and laparoscopic gastric bypass for treatment of morbid obesity
|
Long Beach Veterans Administration Medical Center – Research Protocols
|
Lead Researcher Name |
Protocol Title |
|
SHAH, NITIN K. |
Evaluation of Next Generation Pulse Oximeters During Motion & Low Perfusion in Volunteers Synopsis: Comparing three brands of new generation pulse oximeters for their performance during motion and low perfusion in human volunteers. |
|
SHAH, NITIN K. |
Evaulation of TOSCA (combined SpO2S & PtcCO2 monitor) in Perioperative and ICU Settings Synopsis: Comparing three brands of new generation pulse oximeters for their performance during motion and low perfusion in human volunteers. |
|
WONG, DAVID |
Can Variation in Anesthesia Provider Digit Width Result in Variation in Clinical Assessment? Synopsis: To evaluate the usefulness of the TOSCA monitor ear sensor by comparing TOSCA's values with ABG values, End-Tidal values, and the conventional pulse oximeter values. |
|
WONG, DAVID |
Risk Factors for Prediction of Severe Hypotension After Spinal Anesthesia Synopsis: Retrospective chart review to determine risk factors that predict severe hypotension after spinal anesthesia. |