UNMC researcher Feng Xie, M.D., answers questions about his work, life and interests.
NOTE: This profile is part of a series highlighting the 23 researchers who will be honored at an April 6 ceremony for UNMC’s 2009 Scientist Laureate, Distinguished Scientist and New Investigator award recipients.
- Name: Feng Xie, Ph.D.
- Title: Assistant professor of medicine
- Joined UNMC: 1999
- Hometown: Beijing
Describe your research in layman’s terms.
Diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases with ultrasound and microbubbles.
 |
Feng Xie, Ph.D. |
Current therapies for acute coronary syndrome include pharmacological thrombolysis and percutaneous coronary intervention. In their current forms, however, each of these therapies has significant limitations. Ultrasound facilitated thrombolysis will impact current therapies in several ways. First, it would totally change the existing treatment regimens used in ACS. Ultrasound and microbubbles can be delivered outside the hospital, and thus the patient will not have to be emergently transferred to tertiary care hospitals. Secondly, it would be safer than current pharmacological thrombolysis since it potentially enables the dose of thrombolytic agent to be reduced and shortens the time to reperfusion. Furthermore, the enhanced thrombolytic effects of ultrasound would be limited to the insonified area, without increasing the risk of bleeding at remote locations. Also, the treatment with ultrasound will target improving microvascular flow, which also must achieve reflow if there is to be a return of regional function within the risk area. In conclusion, ultrasound thrombolysis could be a safer and more effective therapy in all forms of acute coronary syndromes.
Beyond grant funding, how do you measure success?
Success is measured by how my research achievements benefit others. Grant funding is the monetary catalyst that will propel medical advancement for patients in the near and distant future.
List three things few people know about you.
- I was a soldier;
- During high school and college, I was an athlete and held a school 800-meter record; and
- I’m a photo and video enthusiast.