Frederick  H.  Epstein
Degree(s): PhD
Graduate School: University of Virginia
Primary Appointment: Associate Professor, Radiology, Radiology Research
Research Interests:
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Coronary Heart Disease; Myocardial Function; Myocardial Perfusion
Website: http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/clinical/departments/radiology/research/home.html
Email Address: fhe6b@virginia.edu
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program(s)
  • Biomedical Sciences Graduate Programs
    • Research Description

    The general goal of my lab is to develop MRI techniques for assessing the structure, function, and perfusion of the cardiovascular system, particularly in the setting of coronary heart disease. Recent projects have included developing echo-planar MRI methods for imaging myocardial perfusion throughout the entire heart and developing displacement-encoded MRI for high-resolution measurements of intramyocardial motion. We have access to state-of-the-art whole body 1.5T scanners for human imaging studies and to a high-field 4.7T MRI scanner for imaging small animals, particularly mice. Through collaborations with cardiologists and molecular biologists, our novel MRI methods are applied to studies involving both clinical cardiology and basic cardiovascular science.Current Projects: Imaging myocardial mechanics with Cine DENSE (Displacement Encoding with Stimulated Echoes) MRI, including pulse sequence development and improving image analysis methods.

    MRI in mouse models of cardiovascular disease.  Some projects include 3D Cine DENSE in mice, MRI of macrophage infiltration in myocardial infarction, using arterial spin labeling and first-pass MRI to quantify myocardial perfusion, T2-weighted imaging of myocardial edema, and 3D phase contrast MRI of aortic blood flow and wall shear stress. 

    MRI of pancreatic beta cells using manganese and other targeted contrast agents as well as quantitation through MR relaxometry and multi-compartment models.

    Selected Publications
  • Epstein FH, London JF, Peters DC, Goncalves L, Agyeman K, Taylor J, Balaban RS, Arai AE. Multi-slice first-pass cardiac perfusion MRI: validation in a model of myocardial infarction. Magn Reson Med 2002: 47; 482-491.
  • Epstein FH, Yang Z, Gilson WD, Berr SS, Kramer CM, French BA. MR tagging early after myocardial infarction in mice demonstrates contractile dysfunction in adjacent and remote regions. Magn Reson Med 2002: 8(2); 399-403.
  • Zequan Yang, Christina M. Bove, Brent A. French, Frederick H. Epstein, Stuart S. Berr, Joseph M. DiMaria, Jennifer J. Gibson, Robert M. Carey, Christopher M. Kramer. Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Overexpression Preserves Left Ventricular Function After Myocardial Infarction. Circulation 106:106-111, 2002.
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    Contact Information
      Office Address: PO Box 800759 MR5 Building, Room 2010, 
      Office Phone: +1 434-924-0270, +1 434-982-4100
      Fax Phone: +1 434-982-3870

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