Department of CV Anesthesiology related pages on this website: Educational Programs Professional Staff Support Staff Links

Mission Statement

The Department of CV Anesthesiology is pursuing research designed to improve anesthesia and surgical care in patients with cardiovascular disease by exploring new methods to decrease mortality, morbidity, length of stay, and discomfort. Areas of interest include:

• Organ protection during cardiovascular surgery.
• The influence of genotype on perioperative risk and outcome.
• Gender-related outcomes after cardiovascular surgery.
• Methods to test coagulation and minimize blood loss following cardiovascular surgery.
• Influence of statins on perioperative outcomes.
• Novel drugs for the treatment of pain after cardiovascular surgery.
• Physiology of heart failure.
• Anesthetic management of patients with severe heart failure, particularly those requiring implantation of ventricular assist devices such as the Jarvik^TM LVAD, the Abiocor^TM Total Artificial Heart, and other experimental devices.

Department Staff

James M. Anton, MD
Chief, Cardiovascular Anesthesiology

Wei Pan, MD
Director, Cardiovascular Anesthesiology Research

Attending Physicians

Research Associates and Other Personnel

Cardiovascular Anesthesiology Department Homepage

Staff Publications

Fox AA, Muehlschlegel J, Body SC, Shernan SK, Liu KY, Perry TE, Aranki SF, Cook EF, Marcantonio ER, Collard CD.  Comparison of the utility of preoperative versus postoperative B-type natriuretic peptide for predicting hospital length of stay or mortality after primary coronary artery bypass grafting.  Anesthesiology 2010; Mar 8. [Epub ahead of print]

Fox, A. A. et al. "Comparison of the Utility of Preoperative versus Postoperative B-type Natriuretic Peptide for Predicting Hospital Length of Stay and Mortality after Primary Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting." Anesthesiology (2010).

Garvin S, Fitzgerald D, Muehlschlegel JD, Perry TE, Fox AA, Shernan SK, Collard CD, Aranki S, Body SC.  Heparin Dose Response Is Independent of Perioperative Antithrombin Activity in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Using Low Heparin Concentrations.  Anesth Analg. 2010 Feb 8. [Epub ahead of print]

Garvin, S. et al. "Heparin Dose Response Is Independent of Perioperative Antithrombin Activity in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Using Low Heparin Concentrations." Anesth.Analg. (2010).

Liu, K. Y. et al. "Common genetic variants on chromosome 9p21 predict perioperative myocardial injury after coronary artery bypass graft surgery." J.Thorac.Cardiovasc.Surg. 139.2 (2010): 483-8, 488.

Gordon, C., C. D. Collard, and W. Pan. "Intraoperative management of pulmonary hypertension and associated right heart failure." Curr.Opin.Anaesthesiol. 23.1 (2010): 49-56.

Perry TE, Muehlschlegel JD, Liu K, Fox AA, Collard CD, Body SC, Shernan SK.  Preoperative C-reactive protein risk categories predict mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting. Anesthesiology 2010 Mar;112(3):607-613.

Body SC, Collard CD, Shernan SK, Fox AA, Donahue B, Pretorius M, Liu K, Ritchie MD, Perry TE, Muehlschlegel JD, Aranki S, Seidman CE, Seidman JG, Herman DS, Lichtner P, Meitinger T, Kaab S, Pfeufer A, Estrad JC, Ellinor PT, Newton-Cheh C, Brown NJ, Roden DM, Darbar D. Variation in the 4q25 Chromosomal Locus Predicts New-onset Atrial Fibrillation after Cardiac Surgery.  Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics 2009; 2:499-506.

Body, S. C. et al. "Variation in the 4q25 chromosomal locus predicts atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery." Circ.Cardiovasc.Genet. 2.5 (2009): 499-506.

Chandrasekhar S, Cook CR, Collard CD. Cardiac surgery in the parturient. Anesth Analg. 2009; 108:777-785.

Fox AA, Collard CD, Shernan SK, Seidman CE, Seidman JG, Liu KY, Muehlschlegel JD, Perry TE, Aranki SF, Lange C, Herman DS, Meitinger T, Lichtner P, Body SC.  In reply - Does B-type natriuretic peptide or its gene polymorphism predict patient outcome after coronary artery bypass graft surgery? Anesthesiology 2009 Dec;111(6):1378-9.

Fox AA, Collard CD, Shernan SK, Seidman CE, Seidman JG, Liu KY, Muehlschlegel JD, Perry TE, Aranki SF, Lange C, Herman DS, Meitinger T, Lichtner P, Body SC.  Natriuretic peptide system gene variants are associated with ventricular dysfunction after coronary artery bypass grafting. Anesthesiology 2009 Apr;110(4):738-47.

Fox, A. A. et al. "Natriuretic peptide system gene variants are associated with ventricular dysfunction after coronary artery bypass grafting." Anesthesiology 110.4 (2009): 738-47.

Garvin S, Muehlschlegel JD, Perry TE, Chen J, Liu K, Fox AA, Collard CD, Aranki SF, Shernan SK, Body SC.  Postoperative activity, but not preoperative activity, of antithrombin are associated with major adverse cardiac events after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.  Anesth Analg. 2009 Oct 9. [Epub ahead of print]

Garvin, S. et al. "Postoperative Activity, but Not Preoperative Activity, of Antithrombin Is Associated with Major Adverse Cardiac Events After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery." Anesth.Analg. (2009).

Muehlschlegel JD, Perry TE, Liu K, Nascimben L, Fox AA,  Collard CD, Avery EG,  Aranki SF, D'Ambra M, Shernan SK, Body SC.  Troponin is superior to ECG and CKMB for predicting myocardial injury after coronary artery bypass grafting. Eur Heart J. 2009; 30(13):1574-83.

Muehlschlegel, J. D. et al. "Troponin is superior to electrocardiogram and creatinine kinase MB for predicting clinically significant myocardial injury after coronary artery bypass grafting." Eur.Heart J. 30.13 (2009): 1574-83.

Perry TE, Muehlschlegel JD, Liu K, Fox AA, Collard CD, Body SC, Shernan SK.  C-reactive protein gene variants are associated with peak postoperative CRP levels after coronary artery bypass surgery.  BMC Med Genet. 2009; 10(1):38-49.

Tolpin D, Pan W, Lee V, Elayda MA, Collard CD. Obesity is associated with increased morbidity after coronary artery bypass graft surgery in renal insufficient patients. J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. 2009 Oct;138(4):873-9.

Tolpin, D. A. and C. D. Collard. "If the odds are a million to one against something occurring, chances are 50-50 it will." Anesthesiology 111.6 (2009): 1380-81.

Tolpin, D. A. et al. "Left atrial dissection associated with pulmonary vein cannulation." Anesth.Analg. 109.5 (2009): 1409-12.

Weisberg A, Weisberg E, Wilson JM, Collard CD.  Preoperative preparation of the patient for cardiac surgery.  Anesthesiol Clin. 2009; 93(5):979-94.

Weisberg, A. D. et al. "Preoperative evaluation and preparation of the patient for cardiac surgery." Anesthesiol.Clin. 27.4 (2009): 633-48.

Weisberg, A. D. et al. "Preoperative evaluation and preparation of the patient for cardiac surgery." Med.Clin.North Am. 93.5 (2009): 979-94.

Collard, C. D. et al. "Contributions of anesthesiology to the surgical treatment of cerebrovascular disease: the role of Arthur S. Keats, M.D." Anesthesiology 108.4 (2008): 756-58.

Fox AA, Shernan SK, Collard CD, Jarolim P, Body SC.  Preoperative brain natriuretic peptide independently predicts post-coronary artery bypass graft surgery ventricular dysfunction.  J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg.  2008; 136(2):452-61.

Fox, A. A. et al. "Preoperative B-type natriuretic peptide is as independent predictor of ventricular dysfunction and mortality after primary coronary artery bypass grafting." J.Thorac.Cardiovasc.Surg. 136.2 (2008): 452-61.

Sethi M, Collard CD, Fontes M. Thoracic aortic surgery.  In: Yao FS, editor.  Yao and Artusio's anesthesiology: Problem-oriented patient management. 6th ed. New York: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2008; pp. 252-270.

Sethi, M., J. M. Anton, and C. D. Collard. "Is there a surgical role for topical aprotinin?" Anesthesiology 108.5 (2008): 967.

Thomas Z, Rother AL, Collard CD.  Cardiac transplantation.  In: Hensley FA, Martin DE, Gravlee GP, editors. A practical approach to cardiac anesthesia. 4th ed. New York: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2008; pp. 439-463.

Bennett-Guerrero, E. et al. "A phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled, ascending-dose study of Eritoran (E5564),  a lipid A antagonist, in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass." Anesth.Analg. 104.2 (2007):  378-83.

Sethi, M. and C. D. Collard. "Perioperative statin therapy: are formal guidelines and physician education needed?" Anesth.Analg. 104.6 (2007): 1322-24.

Blanchard L, Collard CD.  Non-antiarrhythmic agents for prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation: Role of statins.  Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2007 Feb;20(1):53-56.

Walsh MC, Shaffer LA, Body SC, Shernan S, Fox AA, Collard CD, Taylor RP, Stahl GL.  Fluorochrome linked immunoassay for a complete functional analysis of the mannose binding lectin complement pathway. J Immunol Method 2007; 323:147-159.

Collard CD, Shernan SK, Fox AA, Vaughn WK, Toralf B, Chanock SJ, Takahashi K, Ezekowitz AB, Body SC. The MBL2 "LYQA Secretor" haplotype is an independent predictor of postoperative myocardial infarction in whites undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.  Circulation 2007; 116:I106-I122.

Collard, C. D. ""A razor may be sharper than an ax, but it cannot cut wood"." Anesthesiology 106.3 (2007): 420-22.

Collard, C. D. et al. "The MBL2 'LYQA secretor' haplotype is an independent predictor of postoperative myocardial infarction in whites undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery." Circulation 116.11 Suppl (2007): I106-I112.

Walsh, M. C. et al. "Fluorochrome-linked immunoassay for functional analysis of the mannose binding lectin complement pathway to the level of C3 cleavage." J.Immunol.Methods 323.2 (2007): 147-59.

Collard CD, Body SC, Shernan SK, Wang S, Mangano DT for the Multicenter Study of Perioperative Ischemia Research Group (McSPI); Ischemia Research and Education Foundation (IREF) Investigators. Preoperative statin therapy is associated with reduced cardiac mortality following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. 2006; 132(2):392-400.

Collard, C. D. et al. "Preoperative statin therapy is associated with reduced cardiac mortality after coronary artery bypass graft surgery." J.Thorac.Cardiovasc.Surg. 132.2 (2006): 392-400.

Hindler K, Cleeland CS, Rivera E, Collard CD.  Role of statins in cancer therapy.  Oncologist 2006;11:306-315.

Hindler K, Shaw AD, Samuels J, Fulton S, Collard CD, Riedel B.  Reduction in postoperative morbidity and mortality by preoperative statin therapy: A systematic literature review and meta-Analysis. Anesthesiology 2006; Dec;105(6):1260-1272.

Hindler, K. et al. "Improved postoperative outcomes associated with preoperative statin therapy." Anesthesiology 105.6 (2006): 1260-72.

Hindler, K. et al. "Influence of statins on perioperative outcomes." J.Cardiothorac.Vasc.Anesth. 20.2 (2006): 251-58.

Pan W, Hindler K, Lee V, Vaughn WK, Collard CD.  Obesity in diabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery is associated with increased postoperative morbidity.  Anesthesiology 2006; 104:441-447. 

Pan, W. et al. "Obesity in diabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery is associated with increased postoperative morbidity." Anesthesiology 104.3 (2006): 441-47.

Vrtovec, B. et al. "QTc interval prolongation predicts postoperative mortality in heart failure patients undergoing surgical revascularization." Tex.Heart Inst.J. 33.1 (2006): 3-8.

Body, S. C. and C. D. Collard. "Competing risks: preoperative myocardial infarction or postoperative bleeding?" J.Cardiothorac.Vasc.Anesth. 19.1 (2005): 1-3.

Fox, A. A. et al. "Genetic influences on cardiac surgical outcomes." J.Cardiothorac.Vasc.Anesth. 19.3 (2005): 379-91.

Palmer SN, Giesecke NM, Body SC, Shernan SK, Fox AA, Collard CD.  Pharmacogenetics of anesthetic agents.  Anesthesiology 2005; 102:663-671.

Beal, K. et al. "Budget negotiation for industry-sponsored clinical trials." Anesth.Analg. 99.1 (2004): 173-76.

Chen, L. et al. "Clopidogrel and bleeding in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting." J.Thorac.Cardiovasc.Surg. 128.3 (2004): 425-31.

Collard, C. D. "Con: intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography is not of utility in patients at high risk of adverse cardiac events undergoing noncardiac surgery." J.Cardiothorac.Vasc.Anesth. 18.1 (2004): 110-11.

Eltzschig, H. K. and C. D. Collard. "Vascular ischaemia and reperfusion injury." Br.Med.Bull. 70 (2004): 71-86.

Pan W, Pintar T, Anton J, Lee V, Vaughn WK, Collard CD.  Statins are associated with a reduced incidence of perioperative mortality following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.  Circulation 2004; 14:110:45-49.

Pan, W. et al. "Statins are associated with a reduced incidence of perioperative mortality after coronary artery bypass graft surgery." Circulation 110.11 Suppl 1 (2004): II45-II49.

Ziegeler, S., S. Kleinschmidt, and C. D. Collard. "[Gene polymorphism in intensive care patients. Is the course of disease predetermined?]." Anaesthesist 53.3 (2004): 213-27.

Collard, C. D. and S. C. Body. "Endocarditis of a left ventricular assist device resulting in regurgitant flow." Anesth.Analg. 97.5 (2003): 1548-49.

Pintar, T. and C. D. Collard. "The systemic inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass." Anesthesiol.Clin.North America. 21.3 (2003): 453-64.

Ziegeler, S., B. E. Tsusaki, and C. D. Collard. "Influence of genotype on perioperative risk and outcome." Anesthesiology 99.1 (2003): 212-19.

Collard, C. D. et al. "Neutrophil-derived glutamate regulates vascular endothelial barrier function." J.Biol.Chem. 277.17 (2002): 14801-11.

Tsusaki, B. et al. "Reversal of delayed paraplegia with cerebrospinal fluid drainage after thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair." Anesth.Analg. 94.6 (2002): 1674.

Collard, C. D. et al. "Endothelial oxidative stress activates the lectin complement pathway: role of cytokeratin 1." Am.J.Pathol. 159.3 (2001): 1045-54.

Shernan, S. K. and C. D. Collard. "Role of the complement system in ischaemic heart disease: potential for pharmacological intervention." BioDrugs. 15.9 (2001): 595-607.

Contact Information and Location

Cardiovascular Anesthesiology Research Department
Phone: 832-355-2666
FAX: 832-355-6500
Mailing Address:
MC 1-226  PO Box 20345
Houston, TX 77225-0345