Objective

This research strand incorporates projects investigating the effects of sepsis on myocardial performance and on mitochondrial bioenergetics, determination of the effects and mechanisms of action of volatile anaesthetic agents in the Foeto-Placental Circulation, and determination of the effects and mechanisms of action of sidlenafil in the Foeto-Placental Circulation 

Principal Investigators:  Dr. Leo Kevin and Prof. John Laffey

Co- Investigator: Prof. John Morrison, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Galway

Specific Laboratory Projects

  • Investigation the effects of sepsis on myocardial performance and on mitochondrial bioenergetics
  • Determination of the effects and mechanisms of action of Sildenafil in the Foeto-Placental Circulation
  • Investigation of the mechanisms underlying the vasodilatory effects of Sevoflurane in the Foeto-Placental Circulation

Recent Publications

(1) Maharaj C, Jarman J, Lynch T, Higgins B, O’ Toole D, Flynn N, Laffey JG. Effects and mechanisms of action of sildenafil citrate in human chorionic arteries. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 2009, 7 (1):34 (23 April 2009).

(2) Farragher R, Maharaj C, Higgins B, Crowe S, Burke P, Flynn N, Laffey JG. Sevoflurane and the fetal-placental circulation: Role of Nitric Oxide and Vasoactive Prostanoids. Anesthesia and Analgesia 2008 107: 171-177.