Much of clinical medicine and surgery is based on developments and research in Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics. This is particularly so in the cardiovascular field. Developments in imaging, such as with ultrasound or angiography, have significantly aided diagnosis. Invasive cardiac electrophysiology and associated ablation techniques have assisted both diagnosis and therapy, using signal analysis techniques to develop clinical approaches to a number of potentially fatal arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation. Other diagnostic techniques which are still being researched include magnetocardiography, and the analysis of baroreflex sensitivity and the peripheral pulse. Development of therapeutic techniques are also important, ranging from improving the long term outcome of angioplasty and coronary stent procedures, to reducing the effects of rejection in heart transplant surgery.
Murray A, Langley P, Smith F, Bowers E, Allen J, Olbrich T. et al. Contributions of cardiovascular physics and engineering to the solution of clinical problems. In: International Congress in Biological and Medical Engineering. The Bio-Era: New Frontiers, New Challenges, Singapore, 2002.
Professor Alan Murray, Freeman Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne. Tel: +44 (0)191-223-6161.
Regional Medical Physics Department, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK.
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Regional Medical Physics Department, a Clinical Directorate of the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
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