Alexander C. Egbe, M.B.B.S., M.P.H.

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SUMMARY

Alexander C. Egbe, M.B.B.S., is a congenital cardiologist with research interests in the hemodynamics and clinical outcomes for adults with congenital heart disease. Dr. Egbe is also studying the long-term impact of having combined aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation (mixed aortic valve disease) in patients with acquired heart disease.

Focus areas

• Hemodynamics and clinical outcomes in Fontan physiology. Some patients with very complex congenital heart disease undergo a series of complex cardiac surgeries that results in a unique physiology known as the Fontan physiology. In this physiology, the right side of the heart is nonfunctional (absent) and this results in heart failure, arrhythmias, liver cirrhosis and a reduced life expectancy of 35 to 40 years. The main focus of Dr. Egbe's research is to better understand the complex mechanism of pulmonary blood flow and to potentially modify the abnormalities of pulmonary blood flow in order to improve survival and well-being of these patients.
• Hemodynamics and clinical outcomes in right ventricular volume overload. About half of adults with congenital heart disease have enlargement of the right side of the heart either because of a hole in the heart (intracardiac shunt) or because of tricuspid and pulmonary regurgitation. Dr. Egbe is researching new ways of diagnosing and treating early stages of right ventricular dysfunction in this population by using right ventricular and pulmonary vascular coupling during cardiopulmonary testing.
• Aortic vasculopathy in congenital heart disease. Dr. Egbe is studying the use of cardiopulmonary exercise testing and noninvasive indices of vascular health for the early diagnosis of disease, monitoring of disease progression, and response to therapy in patients with coarctation of aorta.
• Hemodynamics and clinical outcomes in mixed aortic valve disease. Dr. Egbe has identified complex hemodynamic interaction and its adverse effect on the survival of patients with mixed aortic valve disease. His current research is focused on gathering data about the physiology and response to therapy in this population. Such data is critical for creating future policies and guidelines for appropriate care in these patients.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Egbe's hope is that through focused and in-depth research he can improve the survival and quality of life of patients with congenital and acquired heart disease.