Elizabeth Ofili, M.D., M.P.H.
Associate Dean for Clinical Research

Director, Clinical Research Center

Chief of Cardiology and Professor, Department of Medicine  

Morehouse School of Medicine
M.D., Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
M.P.H., Johns Hopkins University

Office Phone:     (404) 756-5051

Department:       (404) 756-5713
Fax:                    (404) 756-8972

Research Interests

Dr. Ofili's research centers around cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial ischemia and heart failure. Using a canine model of coronary artery disease, she described the mechanisms and physiologic basis of pharmacologic stress techniques in the evaluation of myocardial ischemia. She validated the spectral analysis of intracoronary Doppler in the assessment of coronary flow reserve and myocardial ischemia in collaboration with researchers at St. Louis University. As principal investigator of the NASA human cardiovascular studies at Morehouse School of Medicine, Dr. Ofili is investigating the role of salt sensitivity in orthostatic intolerance during acute bed rest studies. Ultrasound based evaluation of cardiac and vascular structure form the basis of this and the long term bed rest studies that are done in collaboration with the NASA Biomedical Research Institute. Other research includes active clinical trials in the area of hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy regression and heart failure outcomes.

Relevant Publications

Ofili, EO and Nanda, NC. Color Doppler imaging of the myocardium: current status and potential clinical applications. Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology 1998; 24(2):177-185.

Ofili, EO, Cohen JD, St. Vrain JA, Pearson A, Martin TJ, Uy ND, Castello R, Labovitz AJ. Effect of treatment of isolated systolic hypertension on left ventricular mass. Journal of the American Medical Association 1998; 279(10):778-780.

Ofili, EO, Mayberry R, Alema-Mensah E, Saleem S, Hamirani K, Jones C, Salih, S, Lankford B, Oduwole A, Igho-Pemu P. Gender differences and practice implications of risk factors for frequent hospitalization for heart failure in an urban center serving predominantly African-American patients. American Journal of Cardiology 1999; 83:1350-1355.

Ofili, EO, Kern MJ, St. Vrain JA, Donohue TA, Bach RG, Aguirre FV, Castello R, Labovitz AJ. Differential characterization of normal blood flow, velocity and vascular resistance between proximal and distal epicardial human coronary arteries: Analysis by intracoronary Doppler spectral flow velocity. American Heart Journal 1995; 130(1):37-46.

Ofili, EO, St. Vrain JA, Dressler F, Standeven J, Chandel B, Goodgold H, Gentilcor R, McBride L, Castello R, Kern MJ, Labovitz AJ. Pharmacologic stress induced regional myocardial blood flow heterogeneity and left ventricular wall thickening abnormality: comparison of intravenous Adenosine to Dipyridamole in a model of critical coronary. American Heart Journal 1997; 133(1):78-86