Dr. Eric A. Hoffman

My research interests and current projects include:
Research Interests

• Dynamic, Volumetric Physiologic imaging and image analysis: with specific emphasis on the cardiopulmonary system.
  
• Cardiopulmonary Physiology: Cardiac and Pulmonary Mechanics, Pulmonary Ventilation and Perfusion Medical Informatics: Outcomes predictors and measures in multi-center trials. Image data transmission, archiving, and quality control.

My current projects include:

• Pulmonary ventilation/perfusion relationships: the evaluation of the non-gravitational determinants of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion matching; altered relationships in pathologic states such as early lung inflammation or acute pulmonary embolism.
  
• Airway reactivity via HRCCT: utilizing volumetric high resolution cine CT scanning to evaluate intrapulmonary airway reactivity. Particular interest for use in the etiology and treatment of asthma.
  
• Objective Quantitative Imaging-based evaluation of lung parenchymal pathology.
  
• Development of a Standardized Lung Atlas representing the range of normality of regional pulmonary structural and functional parameters measured via high speed, multi-slice, spiral CT. The atlas will then be used to compare individuals with suspected pulmonary abnormalities and to follow early progression/regression of disease.
  
• Cardiac Mechanics: evaluation of the mechanism for the integrated functioning of the heart whereby the total heart volume (contents of the pericardial sac) remains essentially constant throughout the cardiac cycle. Coupled with this, we are evaluating the interaction between the heart and lungs with both positive and negative pressure respiration. Positive pressure breathing, timed to occur in systole improves cardiac output by as much as 30%.
  
• Evaluation of cardiac mechanical efficiency following congenital heart repair.

A broad based backbone of my research program is the use of non-invasive, dynamic volumetric imaging for the evaluation of structure to function relationships (integrative physiology) with particular attention paid to the heart and lungs. I have been involved in the use and development of physiologic based imaging protocols for the past 22 years, and I am strongly interested in further understanding of how far non-invasive imaging can be stretched to provide a means of gaining new insights into the functioning of the whole organism. Associated with these goals is the need to investigate new approaches to the interrogation of the image data sets. To this end, my group is actively involved not only in investigating cardiopulmonary physiology, but also actively developing new computer based image display and analysis techniques for handling multidimensional image data sets, and we are developing new image gathering techniques, primarily using high speed, volumetric x-ray CT and magnetic resonance imaging.Myphysiologic based research interests relate to the evaluation of the integrated mechanical functioning of the heart and lungs and the interactions between these two organ structures in determining global cardiac efficiency and the regional matching ofpulmonary blood flow with regional differences in ventilation.
Most recently I have pulled together a group of investigators from the University of Iowa, the Mayo Clinic, The Johns Hopkins University, Marquette University and Purdue University, and we were awarded on of the first Bioengineering Research Partnership awards given by the National Institutes of Health. Our project entails building a computer-based model / atlas of the normal human lung based upon all the quantitative paramaters measurable by dynamic, volumetric spiral x-ray CT. These parameters include structural information related to the vascualr and airway trees, lung tissue properties along with regional ventialtion and perfusion measures. An individual subject's lung image can be matchedwith the model for evaluation of whether or not local quantitative parameters of the individual fall out of the range of normal for the appropriate decade of age of the male or female lung. As part of this project we have partnered with Marconi Medical to help evolve current subsecond multi-slice spiral CT into a true dynamic volumetric imaging modality.

Academic Experience:1983-1986 New Investigator Award, NHLMB;1984-Pres Sigma XI;1983-1986 John G. Searl, Mayo Scholar;1986-1991 Established Investigator Award, American Heart Association;1987 Outstanding Film Award, American College of Chest Physicians. Hoffman, EA, and Ritman, EL. Intra-Cardiac Cycle Constancy of Total Heart volume;1990-1994 Member, NIH Biomedical Research Technology Study Section;1990-1993 Ethel Brown Foerderer Fund Fellow (in recognition of excellence in the field of Cardiovascular Imaging) Children's Hospital of Philadelphia;1994-1995 Ethel Brown Foerderer Fund Fellow (in recognition of excellence in the field of Functional and 3-D Pulmonary Imaging with Spiral Computer Tomography;1996 Semi-Finalist in National Information Infrastructure Awards for web site "Physiologic Imaging" (http://everest.radiology.uiowa.edu);1992 Member: Adhoc Study Section: Lung Biology and Pathology Review Group, NIH;1993 Chair: NIH Special Emphasis Review Committee: Monoenergetic x-ray Systems for Cardiovascular Imaging;1994 Chair: NIH Study Section Reviewing Proposal Regarding Impact of Nuclear Waste Regulations on Biomedical Research;1995 Ad Hoc Member, NHLBI Research Training Review Committee;1995 NSF: Reviewer of "Opportunities in support of multidisciplinary research: Grand Challenge, National Challenge, Computer Science Challenge, Mathematical Sciences Challenge, Problem Solving Environments.";1987-1992 Editor, AHA Cardiopulmonary Council Newsletter;1986-1993 Member, Executive Committee, AHA Cardiopulmonary Council;1989-1994 Member, Executive Committee, AHA Council on Cardiovascular Radiology;1993-Present Member, AHA Committee on New Imaging Modalities;1993- Elected Fellowship Status, AHA Council on Cardiovascular Radiology;1987- Elected Fellowship Status, AHA Circulation Council;1986- Elected Fellowship Status, APS Cardiovascular SectionBusiness Experience:Consultant to GE, MRI division;Consultant to CIVCO (medical instrumentation for ultrasound);General Manager, VIDA Technologies LLC