Gazmuri, Raul J.
Associate Professor of Physiology and Biophysics
Professor of Medicine
M.D. 1980, Santiago (Chile)
Ph.D. 1994, FUHS/CMS
Phone: 847-688-1900 x83681
Email: Rjgazmuri@aol.com

Raúl J. Gazmuri MD, PhD, FCCM
Professor of Medicine and Associate Professor of Physiology & Biophysics at the Finch University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School and Section Chief of Critical Care at the North Chicago VA Medical Center.

His research focuses on the mechanisms responsible for myocardial and cerebral injury precipitated by extreme low-flow conditions such as cardiac arrest and circulatory shock along with the associated injury that stems from reperfusion. Current studies are funded by RO1 and VA Merit Review grants. The goal is to examine the role that activation of the sarcolemmal sodium-hydrogen exchanger isoform-1 (NHE-1) plays in the setting of ischemia and reperfusion and develop novel therapeutic interventions for resuscitation from cardiac arrest and circulatory shock. The work is conducted in isolated heart and intact animal models of ventricular fibrillation and resuscitation (primarily pigs and rats) using a broad spectrum of research tools. These include HPLC for determination of high-energy nucleotides; blood chemistry and gases using automated “point-of-care” analytical devices to assess metabolic and gas exchange variables; and high-fidelity pressure and blood flow measurements to assess myocardial and hemodynamic function in combination with echo-Doppler measurements and various electrocardiographic techniques. A molecular biology laboratory is being developed. The laboratories are located inside the Biological Resource Facility and the Department of Physiology & Biophysics at the medical school, and in building 1 at the North Chicago VA Medical Center. Graduate students and post-doc fellows are encouraged to apply.