Researchers in the Department of Anesthesiology conduct a variety of basic and clinical investigations in laboratories, ICUs and main operating rooms, and clinical services.

Basic research includes studies of:

• The role of white cell/endothelial adhesion molecules in the pathophysiology of extracorporeal circulation and ischemia/reperfusion injury and the use of specific monoclonal antibodies ito attenuate such injuries
• Cell volume regulation in the brain and the role of cell volume disturbances in various brain injuries.
• Tachyphylaxis to local anesthetic agents
• Novel longer-lasting local anesthetics

• Cardiovascular effects of sevoflurane
• Local anesthetics applied to the skin for venipuncture
• Factors affecting neurologic injury associated with cardiac surgery in infants
• Efficacy of ketorolac for pain relief in outpatient procedures
• Role of magnesium in dysrhythmias following cardiac surgery in infants
• Role of nitric oxide in pediatric pulmonary diseases
• Use of transcranial Doppler to better understand the effects of anesthetics on cerebral function
• Transesophageal echocardiography in intraoperative diagnosis of residual cardiac defects
• Use of new methods of ventilatory support as alternatives to ECMO

Featured researchers in the Department of Anesthesiology hold faculty appointments at Harvard Medical School.