Yoram Rudy, Ph.D., F.A.H.A.
(Case Western Reserve University, 1978); The Fred Saigh Distinguished Professor of Engineering; Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Cell Biology & Physiology, Medicine, Radiology, and Pediatrics; Director of the Cardiac Bioelectricity and Arrhythmia Center (CBAC)

Websites:
http://rudylab.wustl.edu
http://cbac.wustl.edu
Email: rudy@wustl.edu
Tel: (314) 935-8160

Our Research aims at understanding the mechanisms that underlie normal and abnormal rhythms of the heart at various levels, from the molecular (ion channel) and cellular to the whole heart. We are also developing a novel noninvasive imaging modality (Electrocardiographic Imaging, ECGI) for the diagnosis and guided therapy of cardiac arrhythmias.

For details, please see Research

Leonid Livshitz, Ph.D. (Technion-IIT, Israel, 2002) Research Assistant Professor

Email: livshitz@wustl.edu
Tel: (314) 935-8163
http://www.technion.ac.il/~bmleonid

My Research: cardiac excitation-contraction coupling, modeling
of cardiac arrhythmias that occur due to mishandling of calcium signalling
system

Recent publications
Einziger PD, Livshitz LM, Mizrahi J
Generalized cable equation model for myelinated nerve fiber 
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 52 (10): 1632-1642 OCT 2005

T. O’Hara, K. Decker, G. Faber, L. Livshitz, J. Silva, Y. Rudy , “Comments on: Role of Individual Ionic Current Systems in Ventricular Cells Hypothesized by Model Study” Jpn J Physiol 2004;54:505-508 (letter).

L. Livshitz, K. Decker, G. Faber, T. O’Hara, J. Silva, Y. Rudy , “Comments on a Model for Human Ventricular Tissue” Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2005;288:H453- H454 (letter).

G.M. Faber, J. Silva, L. Livshitz, Y. Rudy, “Kinetic Properties of the Cardiac L-type Ca2+ Channel and its Role in Myocyte Electrophysiology: A Theoretical Investigation” Biophys J 2007; 92:1522-1543.

L. Livshitz, Y. Rudy, “Regulation of Ca2+ and Electrical Alternans in Cardiac Myocytes: Role of CaMKII and Repolarizing Currents”Am J Physiol 2007; 292:H2854-H2866.

Awards
First-place winner with the poster "Regulations of Calcium and Electrical Alternans in Cardiac Myocytes: Role of CaMKII and Repolarizing Currents" in the research competition at the Gordon Research Conference on Cardiac Arrhythmia Mechanisms (Ventura Beach, California, March 18 – 23).

Email:ali@me.wustl.edu
Tel: (314) 935-8163

My Research: I am interested in modeling the detailed function of ion channels, their statistical properties and how these properties governs the electrophysiology of the cells.

Recent publications
A. Nekouzadeh, Y. Rudy, “Statistical Properties of Ion Channel records: I. Relationship to the Macroscopic Current”, Mathematical Biosciences 2007 (accepted).

A. Nekouzadeh, Y. Rudy, “Statistical Properties of Ion Channel records: II. Estimation from the Macroscopic Current”, Mathematical Biosciences 2007 (accepted).

Gregory Faber, Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 20007

Ph.D. Graduate Student
Email: gmf4@case.edu
Tel: (216) 368-6587

Recent publications
G.M. Faber, Y. Rudy , "Action Potential and Contractility Changes in [Na⁺]_i Overloaded Cardiac Myocytes: A Simulation Study" Biophys J 2000; 78:2392-2404.

G.M. Faber, J. Silva, L. Livshitz, Y. Rudy, “Kinetic Properties of the Cardiac L-type Ca2+ Channel and its Role in Myocyte Electrophysiology: A Theoretical Investigation” Biophys J 2007; 92:1522-1543.

T. O’Hara, K. Decker, G. Faber, L. Livshitz, J. Silva, Y. Rudy , “Comments on: Role of Individual Ionic Current Systems in Ventricular Cells Hypothesized by Model Study” Jpn J Physiol 2004;54:505-508 (letter).

L. Livshitz, K. Decker, G.Faber, T. O’Hara, J. Silva, Y. Rudy , “Comments on a Model for Human Ventricular Tissue” Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2005;288:H453- H454 (letter).

G.Faber, Y. Rudy, “Calsequestrin Mutation and Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia: A Simulation Study of Cellular Mechanism”, Cardiovascular Research 20072007; 75:79-88.

Abstracts
G.M. Faber and Y. Rudy , "Action Potential and Contractility Change due to Elevated [Na⁺]_i: Role of I_NaCa and I_NaK" Biophysical Society 43rd Annual Meeting, Baltimore, Feb. 1999. Biophys J 1999; 76 No.1:A369.

G.M. Faber, Y. Rudy , "Efficacy of Na⁺-Ca²⁺ Exchange Blockade and Sarcolemmal Ca²⁺ Pump Enhancement in Prevention of [Ca²⁺]_i - Overload: A Simulation Study" World Congress on Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Chicago, July 2000.

G.M. Faber, Y. Rudy , "A Single Channel Markov Model of the Cardiac L-Type Ca²⁺ Channel: Simulation Studies in the Luo-Rudy Model of the Guinea Pig Ventricular Myocyte" North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (NASPE), 24th Annual Scientific Sessions, Washington DC, May 14-17, 2003. PACE 2003; 26 No. 4: II-1022.

G.M. Faber, Y. Rudy , "A Single Channel Model of the Cardiac L-type Ca²⁺ Channel: Simulation Studies in the Luo-Rudy Model of the Guinea Pig Ventricular Myocyte" Gordon Research Conference on Cardiac Arrhythmia Mechanisms, Colby-Sawyer College, New London, New Hampshire, August 10-15, 2003.

G.M. Faber, Y. Rudy, “ Calsequestrin Mutation Results in Spontaneous Calcium Release and Delayed Afterdepolarizations in a Model of the Cardiac Ventricular Myocyte” Circulation 2005;112, No.17: II-17.

Jonathan Silva, M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 2004

Ph.D. Graduate Student
Email:
Tel:	(314) 935-8163

My Research: I'm interested in creating detailed single channel models and studying their function in the context of whole cell eloctrophysiology.

Recent publications
J. Silva, Y. Rudy , "Pacemaking Activity in Ventricular Myocytes Under Downregulation of Ik1: A Study of Mechanism" Circulation Research 2003; 92:261-263.

J. Silva, Y. Rudy, “Subunit Interaction Determines I_Ks Participation in Cardiac Repolarization and Repolarization reserve” Circulation 2005;112:1384-1391.

T. O’Hara, K. Decker, G. Faber, L. Livshitz, J. Silva, Y. Rudy , “Comments on: Role of Individual Ionic Current Systems in Ventricular Cells Hypothesized by Model Study” Jpn J Physiol 2004;54:505-508 (letter).

L. Livshitz, K. Decker, G. Faber, T. O’Hara, J. Silva, Y. Rudy , “Comments on a Model for Human Ventricular Tissue” Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2005;288:H453- H454 (letter).

Y. Rudy, J. R. Silva, "Computational Biology in the Study of Cardiac Ion Channels and Cell Electrophysiology" Quarterly Reviews of Biophysics 2006; 39:57-116.

G.M. Faber, J. Silva, L. Livshitz, “Kinetic Properties of the Cardiac L-type Ca2+ Channel and its Role in Myocyte Electrophysiology: A Theoretical Investigation” Biophys J 2007; 92:1522-1543.

J. Silva, H. Pan, D. Wu, J. Cui, Y. Rudy, “Naturally Occurring LQT1 Mutation E160K Inhibits Two-Stage Voltage Sensor Activation in IKS” Gordon Research Conference on Cardiac Arrhythmia Mechanisms, Ventura Beach, California, March 18 – 23, 2007.

Abstracts
J. Silva, Y. Rudy , "Open-State IKS Block Causes Rate-Independent Action Potential Prolongation" North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (NASPE), 24th Annual Scientific Sessions, Washington DC, May 14-17, 2003. PACE 2003;26 No. 4:II-977.

J. R. Silva, Y. Rudy , "Open-State Iks Block Causes Rate-Independent Action Potential Prolongation" Gordon Research Conference on Cardiac Arrhythmia Mechanisms Colby-Sawyer College, New London, New Hampshire, August 10-15, 2003.

J. R. Silva, Y. Rudy, “Molecular Interactions Determine Effects of Iks on the Cardiac Action Potential: Modulation by KCNE1 and Chromanol 293b” Gordon Research Conference on Cardiac Arrhythmia Mechanisms, Santa Barbara, California, February 20-25, 2005.

H. Pan, D. Wu., J. Silva, X. Yang, J. Li, J. Shi, Y. Rudy, J. Cui, “KCNE1 Modulates Voltage Sensor Movements in KCNQ1 to Form Iks Properties” Biophysical Society 51 st Annual Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland, March 3 – 7, 2007.

J. Silva, H. Pan, D. Wu, J. Cui, Y. Rudy, “Naturally Occurring LQT1 Mutation E160K Inhibits Two-Stage Voltage Sensor Activation in IKS” Gordon Research Conference on Cardiac Arrhythmia Mechanisms, Ventura Beach, California, March 18 – 23, 2007.

Major Accomplishments:

Fellowship
NIH F31-HL68318: Using Single Channel IKs Models to Determine Phenotype from Genotype

Awards
Case Western Reserve University Dean's Excellence in Graduate Teaching Award, 2002

Housing and Residence Life Distinguished Service Award, 2003-2004

First-place winner with the poster "Molecular Interactions Determine Effects of Iks on the Cardiac Action Potential: Modulation by KCNE1 and Chromanol 293B" in the research competition at the Gordon Research Conference on Cardiac Arrhythmia Mechanisms (Buellton, California, February 20-25).

Keith Decker, B.S. in chemical engineering, The Ohio State University, 2001

Ph.D. Graduate Student
Email: kfd1@cec.wustl.edu
Tel: (314) 935-8163

My Research: The goal of my research is to provide insight into how structural and electrophysiological remodeling alter propagation and promote arrhythmogenesis in the epicardial border zone (EBZ).

Recent publications
T. O’Hara, K. Decker, G. Faber, L. Livshitz, J. Silva, Y. Rudy , “Comments on: Role of Individual Ionic Current Systems in Ventricular Cells Hypothesized by Model Study” Jpn J Physiol 2004;54:505-508 (letter).

L. Livshitz, K. Decker, G. Faber, T. O’Hara, J. Silva, Y. Rudy , “Comments on a Model for Human Ventricular Tissue” Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2005;288:H453- H454 (letter).

Abstracts
T.J. Hund, K. F.Decker, Y. Rudy, “Altered Calcium handling and Action Potential in Post- Infarction Remodeled Myocytes: Role of CaMKII” Heart Rhythm 2006; 3, Issue 1S: S65.

K. Decker, Y. Rudy, “ Mechanisms of Action Potential Rate Dependence in Normal and Infarcted Myocardium” Gordon Research Conference on Cardiac Arrhythmia Mechanisms, Ventura Beach, California, March 18 – 23, 2007.

Thomas O'Hara, M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, 2006

Ph.D. Graduate Student
Email: tjo1@cec.wustl.edu
Tel: (314) 935-8163

My Research: I am working to create a new, more human specific, and electrophysiologically accurate computer model of the non-failing ventricular action potential and calcium handling.

Recent publications
T. O’Hara, K. Decker, G. Faber, L. Livshitz, J. Silva, Y. Rudy , “Comments on: Role of Individual Ionic Current Systems in Ventricular Cells Hypothesized by Model Study” Jpn J Physiol 2004;54:505-508 (letter).

L. Livshitz, K. Decker, G. Faber, T. O’Hara, J. Silva, Y. Rudy , “Comments on a Model for Human Ventricular Tissue” Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2005;288:H453- H454 (letter).

Abstracts
M. Bébarová, T. O’Hara, J. Geelen, R. Jongbloed, C. Timmermans, Y. Arens, L.M. Rodriguez, Y. Rudy, P., Volders, “C-Terminal SCN5A Mutation, F2004L, in Brugada Syndrome: New Arrhythmogenic Concepts” 83 rd Physiological Days, Brno, Czech Republic, February 6- 8, 2007.

T. O’Hara, M. Bébarová, P. Volders, Y. Rudy, “Bradycardia-Induced ST Elevation in Brugada Syndrome (Mutation F2004L in SCN5A) is Due to Discontinuous Conduction, Not Abnormal Repolarization” Gordon Research Conference on Cardiac Arrhythmia Mechanisms, Ventura Beach, California, March 18 – 23, 2007.

Subham Ghosh, M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, 2004

Ph.D. Graduate Student
Email: sg7@cec.wustl.edu
Tel: (314) 935-8163

My Research: My research interests include clinical application of Electrocardiographic Imaging Modeling of electrical activity of the heart

Recent publications
S. Ghosh, Y. Rudy, "Accuracy of Quadratic versus Linear Interpolation in Noninvasive Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI)" Annals of Biomed Eng 2005;33:1187-1201.

S. Ghosh, J.N. Avari, E.K. Rhee, P.K. Woodard, Y. Rudy, “Noninvasive Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI) of a Univentricular Heart with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome”, Heart Rhythm 2008; 5:605-608.   

S. Ghosh, J.N. Avari, E.K. Rhee, P.K. Woodard, Y. Rudy, “Noninvasive Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI) of Epicardial Activation Before and After Catheter Ablation of Accessory Pathway in a Patient with Ebstein’s Anomaly”, Heart Rhythm 2008; 5: 857-860.

S. Ghosh, E.K. Rhee, J.N. Avari, P.K. Woodard, Y. Rudy, “Cardiac Memory in Patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome : Noninvasive Imaging of Activation and Repolarization Before and After Catheter Ablation”, Circulation 2008; 118:907:915.

S. Ghosh, J.N. Avari, E.K. Rhee, P.K. Woodard, Y. Rudy, “Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Pre-excitation: Insights from Noninvasive Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI) and Catheter Mapping” , J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2008 (in press).

Y. Rudy, C. Ramanathan, S. Ghosh, “Noninvasive Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI): Methodology and Excitation of the Normal Human Heart” In: Cardiac Electrophysiology: From Cell to Bedside, 5th edition, Eds. D.P. Zipes and J. Jalife. Elsevier Science Publisher, 2007 (in press).

Abstracts
S. Ghosh, Y.Rudy, “Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI) of Cardiac Electrophysiology in Humans” Gordon Research Conference on Cardiac Arrhythmia Mechanisms, Santa Barbara, California, February 20-25, 2005.

Y. Wang, S. Ghosh, L. El-Esber, P. Cuculich, B.D. Lindsay, R.B. Schuessler, R.J. Damiano, P.K. Woodard, Y. Rudy, “Noninvasive Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI) of Atrial Arrhythmias in Patients”, Gordon Research Conference on Cardiac Arrhythmia Mechanisms, Ventura Beach, California, March 18 – 23, 2007.

S. Ghosh, E.K. Rhee, J.N. Avari, P.K. Woodard, Y. Rudy, “Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI) before and after Catheter Ablation in Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome: Cardiac Memory in a Group of Pediatric Patients”  Heart Rhythm Society 29th  Annual Scientific Sessions, May 14-17 2008, San Francisco, California. Heart Rhythm 2008; 5, Issue 5S:S40.

J.N. Avari, E.K. Rhee, S. Ghosh, T. Bowman, Y. Rudy, “Novel Application of Noninvasive Electrophysiologic Imaging in Pediatric Heart Failure: Pre and Post Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy” Heart Rhythm Society 29th Annual Scientific Sessions, May 14-17 2008, San Francisco, California. Heart Rhythm 2008; 5, Issue 5S:S201.

S. Ghosh, Y Rudy, “L1-Norm Constraint Regularization in Potential-Based Inverse Problem of Electrocardiography”, St Louis, MO. BMES 2008 (accepted).

S. Ghosh, J.N. Avari, R.M. Canham, T.M. Bowman, E.K.Rhee, Y. Rudy, “Concordance between LV Electrical and Mechanical Dyssynchorny in Non-ischemic CRT Patients”, St Louis, MO. Cardiovascular System Dynamics Society XVIII Conference, 2008 (accepted).

Major Accomplishments
Third- place winner with the poster "Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI) of Cardiac Electrophysiology in Humans" in the research competition at the Gordon Research Conference on Cardiac Arrhythmia Mechanisms (Buellton, California, February 20-25).

Yong Wang, M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China, 2002

My Research: I am working on applying Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI) to patients with scar-related Ventricular Tachycardias (VT) or Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) to better understand the mechanism of these arrhythmias, and facilitate the clinical diagnosis and treatment. I am also interested in developing numerical methods and schemes for solving partial differential equations underlying ECGI.

Recent publications

Y. Wang, L. Li, P.S. Cuculich,Y. Rudy,"Electrocardiographic Imaging of Ventricular Bigeminy in a Human Subject", Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology. (Accepted, In Press)

Y. Wang, R.B. Schuessler, R.J. Damiano, P.K. Woodard, Y. Rudy,“Noninvasive Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI) of Scar-Related Atypical Atrial Flutter”, Heart Rhythm Journal 2007; 12:1565-1567

Y. Wang, P.S. Cuculich, P.K. Woodard, B.D. Lindsay, Y. Rudy, “Focal Atrial Tachycardia after Pulmonary Vein Isolation: Noninvasive Mapping with Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI)”, Heart Rhythm Journal 2007; 4:1081-1086

Y. Wang, Y.Rudy, "Application of the Method of Fundamental Solutions to Potential-based Inverse Electrocardiography". Ann Biomed Eng, 34: 1272-1288, 2006

Inventions
Wang, Y. and Y. Rudy, System and Method for Meshless Noninvasive Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI). USA Patent. Serial No. PCT/US2006/28287

Abstracts

Y. Wang, Y. Rudy, "Meshless Methods in Potential Inverse Electrocardiography". 28 IEEE EMBS Annual International Conference, New York, September 2006.

Y. Wang, S. Ghosh, L. El-Esber, P. Cuculich, B.D. Lindsay, R.B. Schuessler, R.J. Damiano, P.K. Woodard, Y. Rudy, “Noninvasive Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI) of Atrial Arrhythmias in Patients”, Gordon Research Conference on Cardiac Arrhythmia Mechanisms, Ventura Beach, California, March 18 – 23, 2007.

Awards
The Best Original Paper "Application of the Method of Fundamental Solutions to Potential-based Inverse Electrocardiography" for 2006 in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering.

Namit Gaur, M.S. in ChE, Texas Tech University, 2000

Ph.D. Graduate Student
Email:ngaur@wustl.edu
Tel: (314) 935-8163

My Research: My research interests focus primarily on intracellular calcium cycling and arrhythmias. In particular, I am interested in developing modeling tools that would elucidate how disturbances in calcium cycling through genetic mutations in ryanodine receptors lead to arrhythmias.

Phillip S. Cuculich, M.D.

Fellow, Cardiovascular Diseases and Electrophysiology 
Email:pcuculic@im.wustl.edu
Tel: (314) 935-8163

Med school: Vanderbilt University
Residency: Northwestern University
Chief Residency: Northwestern University

Clinical interests: Arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia. Under the guidance of the electrophysiology division, I was involved in reporting our experience demonstrating an overall poor prognosis for patients with chronic kidney disease despite ICD therapy for the primary prevention of sudden death. 

Research interests: Under the mentorship of Dr. Yoram Rudy, we have applied a novel noninvasive electrocardiographic imaging system (ECGI) to create three-dimensional electroanatomic maps of various arrhythmias, with a focus on ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. Through better understanding of basic mechanisms of arrhythmia, the ultimate clinical application of this research is to tailor specific therapies for individual patients based on the unique electrophysiologic characteristics of each arrhythmia.