SUMMARY
The research interests of Win-Kuang Shen, M.D., center on clinical electrophysiology, including neurocardiogenic syncope, cardiac autonomic regulation, atrial fibrillation and sudden cardiac death. He is particularly focused on clinical electrophysiology for older adults.
Dr. Shen's research program is based in Mayo Clinic's clinical Electrophysiology Laboratory. The program takes a multidisciplinary approach to syncope evaluation, involving neurocardiogenic syncope and autonomic regulation. Methodologies include orthostatic stress, electrophysiologic evaluation, vascular reactivity (ultrasound imaging), spectral analysis, impedance cardiography and pharmacological dissections of clinical and basic neurovascular physiology.
The multidisciplinary research team includes emergency room physicians, neurologists, internists and cardiologists. Mayo Clinic collaborators include Wyatt W. Decker, M.D., Stephen C. Hammill, M.D., Phillip A. Low, M.D., Robert F. Rea, M.D., Peter A. Smars, M.D., and Douglas L. Wood, M.D.
Focus areas
- Clinical outcomes after permanent pacemaker and defibrillator implantation. Collaborating investigators in this area include David L. Hayes, M.D., and Paul A. Friedman, M.D. Methodologies include statistical modeling for decision-making and risk stratification.
- Clinical databases on atrial fibrillation and sudden cardiac death. Dr. Shen and collaborators, including Andre Terzic, M.D., Ph.D., and Michael J. Ackerman, M.D., Ph.D., are studying single-channel electrophysiology and molecular biology in the basic laboratory. Methodologies include patch clamp techniques, calcium imaging and molecular biology.
Significance to patient care
Clinical studies and translation of Dr. Shen's research include population-based outcome studies and laboratory-based studies of mechanisms in the human heart. Dr. Shen's overall research goal is to improve the technologies used to maintain and promote cardiovascular health, thereby helping patients live longer and with better quality of life.
Professional highlights
- John M. Nasseff Sr. Professor of Cardiology in Honor of Dr. Burton Onofrio, Mayo Clinic, 2023.