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Related Research Units

Cardiac Surgery Research

Research Overview

My current research focuses on precision-guided coagulation and thrombosis management in pediatric patients undergoing congenital heart surgery, with particular emphasis on neonates and high-risk cardiac physiologies. I lead and collaborate on studies integrating point-of-care diagnostics, including microfluidic lab-on-chip platforms, enzymatic coagulation assays, viscoelastic testing (TEG), and comprehensive hypercoagulability panels, to enable individualized, data-driven clinical decision-making. 

This work has identified key predictors of bleeding and thrombosis, such as aspirin unresponsiveness and abnormal coagulation profiles and translated these findings into targeted blood product transfusion, antiplatelet, and anticoagulation strategies. By combining device development, clinical validation, and outcomes and cost analyses, my research bridges bench-to-bedside innovation and informs evidence-based protocols that improve safety, efficacy, and resource utilization in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Research Background

My research background is rooted in immunology, molecular biology, and translational clinical research, with formal training spanning genetics, chemistry, and immunology, followed by postdoctoral research fellowships in cardiothoracic and general surgery. Early in my career, I investigated molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression, vascular permeability, and extracellular matrix remodeling, contributing to advances in oncology, cardiovascular surgery, and regenerative medicine. These experiences established a strong foundation in studying complex biologic systems under physiological stress and translating mechanistic insights into clinically meaningful outcomes. This multidisciplinary training, together with sustained engagement in perioperative pediatric cardiac research, has enabled me to tackle critical gaps in coagulation biology in pediatric patients with congenital heart defects.

Selected Publications

  1. Emani S, Donahue R, Callender A, Ghebremichael M, Nathan M, Ibla JC, Emani S. Thromboelastography-guided Intraoperative Platelet Transfusion in Pediatric Heart Surgery. Ann Thorac Surg. 2024 Dec;118(6):1271-1278. PMID: 39277157.
  2. Emani S, Emani VS, Diallo FB, Dutta P, Matte GS, Nathan M, Ibla JC, Emani SM. Comparison of Thromboelastography Devices TEG®6S Point of Care Device vs. TEG®5000 in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery. J Extra Corpor Technol. 2022 Mar;54(1):42-49. PMID: 36380826.
  3. Sleeper LA, Mulone M, Diallo FA, Nasr VG, Thiagarajan RR, Emani SM, Emani S. Stratification of Bleeding Risk Using Thromboelastography in Children on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2021 Mar 1;22(3):241-250. PMID: 33512982.
  4. Emani S, Nelson LT, Norton S, Singh R, Pamula V, Emani S. Enzymatic Functional Assays of Coagulation Using Small Sample Volumes. Lab Med. 2017 Dec 22;49(1):47-54. PMID: 29206934.
  5. Emani S, Trainor B, Zurakowski D, Baird CW, Fynn-Thompson FE, Pigula FA, Emani SM. Aspirin unresponsiveness predicts thrombosis in high-risk pediatric patients after cardiac surgery. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2014 Sep;148(3):810-4; discussion 814-6. PMID: 25129584.
  6. Emani S, Zurakowski D, Baird CW, Pigula FA, Trenor C 3rd, Emani SM. Hypercoagulability markers predict thrombosis in single ventricle neonates undergoing cardiac surgery. Ann Thorac Surg. 2013 Aug; 96(2):651-6. PMID: 23809731.
  7. Emani S, Sista R, Loyola H, Trenor CC 3rd, Pamula VK, Emani SM. Novel microfluidic platform for automated lab-on-chip testing of hypercoagulability panel. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2012 Dec; 23(8):760-8. PMID: 22964771.
  8. Emani S, Mayer J.E., Emani S.M. Gene Regulation of Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Human Bone Marrow Stem Cell-Seeded Tissue-Engineered Grafts.Tissue Eng Part A. Nov 2011. PMID 21554191.
  9. Emani S, Ramlawi B, Sodha N.R., Li J, Bianchi C, Sellke F.W. Increased vascular permeability after cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with diabetes is associated with increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2009 Jul; 138 (1):185-91. PMID 19577077.
  10. Emani S, Zhang J, Guo L, Guo H, Kuo P.C. RNA stability regulates differential expression of the metastasis protein, osteopontin, in hepatocellular cancer. Surgery. 2008 Jun; 143. PMID 18549897.

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