Dr. Tilkemeier's research is primarily focused on the applications of imaging in patient care as well as predicting quality. His interests in the field of cardiac rehabilitation have focused on behavioral modification and the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation from a behavioral model including depression, anxiety and compliance with a long-term cardiac rehabilitation program. His other interests focus on the application of standards in imaging techniques, particularly nuclear cardiology.
The research that Dr. Tilkemeier has performed has focused on nuclear cardiology and its applications in clinical practice. These have included participation in numerous local trials, evaluating patients with coronary disease and their variable responses to exercise and imaging. Additionally, new techniques in imaging, such as gated SPECT and advanced image processing, have been investigated and published. These areas have also resulted in numerous presentations, both nationally and internationally. As a result of this expertise, Dr. Tilkemeier has authored two self-assessment programs for the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology.
In the field of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Dr. Tilkemeier has participated in multiple NIH trials, which have focused on the cognitive function and outcomes of multiple participants in cardiovascular rehabilitation. These have looked at numerous risk factors, including depression, anger, hostility and their implications for well-being at the completion of cardiac rehabilitation. Current and future research has been focused on the delivery model of cardiac rehabilitation to emphasize compliance for the long-term.
A third area of interest has been in the development of national standards for image exchange and reporting. This involves working with multiple national committees, vendors and organizations to ensure that the necessary tools are available for widespread implementation of image exchange.
1. Adenosine Levels with Pacing Before and After Angioplasty, American Heart Association, RI
Affiliate, $14,000, July 1991 - December 1992, Principal Investigator.
2. Efficacy and Safety of Simvastatin in Hypercholesterolemia, Merck, Sharp, and Dohme, $10,000,
August 1992 -June 1993, Site Coordinator.
3. Cholesterol and Recurrent Events (CARE), Bristol-Myers Squibb, $18,700, 1991 - 1996, Co-
Investigator.
4. Technetium-99m Sestamibi in the Evaluation of Submaximal Exercise, R.I. Foundation, $3,900.
January 1993 - December 1993, Principal Investigator.
5. Diastolic Function with Varying AV Conduction Intervals, Medtronic, Inc., $6,200, August 1993 -
June 1994, Principal Investigator.
6. Detection of Acute Coronary Syndromes with Attenuation Corrected Tc-99m Tetrofosmin Imaging,
Amersham Healthcare, $13,000, November 1996 - 1999, Investigator.
7. Heart Disease, CNS Dysfunction & Outcome in the Elderly, National Institute on Aging $720,000,
2001-2005, Co-investigator.
8. Benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Men and Women, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute,
$2.7 million, 2001-2005, Co-investigator.
9. Randomized, single-blind, two-arm crossover, dose selection study of MRE470 as an adjunct to
myocardial perfusion imaging, King Pharmaceuticals, $40,000, 2003, Co-investigator.
10. Observational study of outcomes following vasodilator stress induced myocardial perfusion
imaging, King Pharmaceuticals, $20,000, 2003, Co-investigator.
11. Tailored Exercise Support for Cardiac Patients, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (R01
HL075561-01), $1.4 million, 2004-2008, Co-investigator.
12. Maintenance of Exercise in Cardiac Rehabilitation, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (R01
HL76734), $2.31 million, 2004 2008, Co-investigator.
