Keywords (not more than 3) reflecting broad area of CV research, lab is interested in:

Pulmonary hypertension; Right ventricular failure; Perioperative cardiopulmonary protection

The Umar Laboratory’s research is focused on investigating the molecular mechanisms and pathophysiology of primary and secondary forms of pulmonary hypertension and associated right ventricular dysfunction. Our long-term goal is to devise novel regenerative therapies for these cardiopulmonary disorders. We are also interested in investigating novel strategies for perioperative cardiopulmonary organ protection. Pulmonary hypertension is a chronic pulmonary vascular disease without a definitive cure. We are using state-of-the-art in vivo mouse and rat models, in vitro cell culture systems, and human blood and tissue samples to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the development of primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension. We are also investigating adverse structural and electrical remodeling of the right ventricle secondary to pressure overload that often leads to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.

Publications:

3 Publications illustrative of the lab’s interests:

1. Vaillancourt M, Chia P, Medzikovic L, Cao N, Ruffenach G, Younessi D, Umar S. Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension Is Associated With Neuroinflammation in the Spinal Cord. Front Physiol. 2019;10:1186.
2. Park JF, Banerjee S, Umar S. In the eye of the storm: the right ventricle in COVID-19. Pulm Circ. 2020 Jul-Sep;10(3): 2045894020936660.
3. Razee A, Umar S. Pulmonary Artery Denervation for Pulmonary Hypertension: Recent Updates and Future Perspectives. Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2020 May 17.

PubMed Bibliography link (optional): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1fAFByiw9dRAz/bibliography/public/

PI Contact information: Email or lab contact: sumar@mednet.ucla.edu

Lab Website Link (Optional): https://www.uclahealth.org/anes/research/the-umar-laboratory