Human, Cardiovascular Autonomic Physiology and Pharmacology, Postural Tachycardia Syndrome, Vasovagal Syncope, Orthostatic Hypotension
The Raj Lab’s research work primarily involves patient-oriented bedside translational research. The Raj Lab focuses on Neurocardiology and disorders of abnormal cardiovascular regulation. Our work often involves the use of pharmacological probes to better understand pathophysiology of disorders of orthostatic intolerance, with a view to developing better therapies through a better mechanistic understanding of the disorders. Commonly studied disorders include Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Vasovagal Syncope (VVS), and Orthostatic Hypotension (OH). We have access to Human Physiology laboratories in which trainees can engage in studies involving continuous heart rate/rhythm and continuous blood pressure monitoring, heart rate variability and blood pressure variability, tilt table testing, transcranial doppler ultrasound monitoring, lower body negative pressure, and the use of pharmacological testing/probes. We collaborate with colleagues that allow us to use forced gas clamping in our studies as well as optical coherence tomography. We have studies combining detailed integrated physiology with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and brain functional magnetic resonance imaging. A prime focus of our research involves attempting to understand the pathophysiology underlying POTS, VVS & OH, and developing novel therapeutic approaches for these potentially disabling disorder. Our research portfolio is entirely translational in nature.