Research in the Cardiovascular Autonomic Laboratory at ICORD is focused on examining the mechanisms of various autonomic dysfunctions that individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience following initial trauma and many years after injury. For the last twenty years, Dr. Krassioukov’s research has focused specifically on examination of unstable arterial blood pressure control and the life threatening phenomenon known as autonomic dysreflexia. There are two major branches of research in the Krassioukov lab: discovery models of SCI and clinical studies in humans.
Students in the basic science laboratory have exposure to a variety of techniques and state of the art physiological equipment such as telemetry, used for remote monitoring of cardiovascular parameters. Histological and immunocytochemical techniques, and use of the florescent microscope are also part of the laboratory experience. In collaboration with colleagues at UBC, students have the opportunity to work on in-vitro preparations of blood vessels.
(Inskip et al., J Neurotrauma. 2010 Jan;27(1):275-85)
For more information on Dr. Krassioukov’s discovery research, please click here.
The clinical research laboratory is a significant part of Dr. Krassioukov’s work at ICORD. One of the most recent projects involves Paralympic athletes with SCI. These elite competitors are exposed to tremendous physical and emotional stress during training and competition. Unfortunately, athletes with SCI face additional, unique disadvantages as a result of their injury. One of these disadvantages is unstable blood pressure control. On a daily basis, individuals with SCI deal with either extremely low resting blood pressure, and/or uncontrolled episodes of high blood pressure. The latter is called autonomic dysreflexia (AD). Low blood pressure and a poor response from the heart results in significant fatigue and presents a serious problem for athletes during both training and competition. In contrast to low blood pressure, AD is a life-threatening condition whereby individuals with cervical and upper thoracic injuries experience a drastic increase in blood pressure. If left untreated, AD can lead to bleeding in the brain and/or death.
During the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Games, the clinical research laboratory received funding from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation to bring evidence-based clinical knowledge on management of unstable arterial blood pressure control to Paralympians with SCI, and their support staff.
For more information on Dr. Krassioukov’s clinical research, please click here.
