Research
Paul Leeson PhD, MRCP, FESC
Clinical Lead, Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility
Research Themes
Divisional Themes
- Cardiovascular Science
Selected Publications
- Lewandowski Adam J, Lazdam Merzaka, Davis Esther, Kylintireas Ilias, Diesch Jonathan, Francis Jane, Neubauer Stefan, Singhal Atul, Lucas Alan, Kelly Brenda, and Leeson Paul (2011) Short-term exposure to exogenous lipids in premature infants and long-term changes in aortic and cardiac function. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, 31(9):2125-35.
- Lazdam M, de l a, Pitcher A, Mannie Z, Diesch J, Trevitt C, Kylintireas I, Contractor H, Singhal A, Lucas A, Neubauer S, Kharbanda R, Alp N, Kelly B, and Leeson P (2010) Elevated Blood Pressure in Offspring Born Premature to Hypertensive Pregnancy. Is Endothelial Dysfunction the Underlying Vascular Mechanism? Hypertension.
- Leeson Paul (2007) Pediatric prevention of atherosclerosis: targeting early variation in vascular biology. Pediatrics, 119(6):1204-6.
- Leeson C P, Robinson M, Francis J M, Robson M D, Channon K M, Neubauer S, and Wiesmann F (2006) Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging for non-invasive assessment of vascular function: validation against ultrasound. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson, 8(2):381-7.
| paul.leeson@cardiov.ox.ac.uk | |
| Tel | +44 (0) 1865 572846 |
| Fax | +44 (0) 1865 572842 |
Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension
We use cardiac and vascular imaging, in conjunction with laboratory-based studies, to characterise early patho-physiological changes that predispose to cardiovascular diseases, such as, hypertension. The work aims to identify and trial novel primary prevention strategies. We have a particular focus on how preeclampsia increases risk of later cardiovascular disease, for both mother and child, as well as how perinatal interventions can modify long term risk in adulthood.
Within the Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility we use a range of complementary techniques, including echocardiography, ultrasound, tonometry, microscopy and venous occlusion plethysmography. These allow us to quantify variation in cardiac and vascular biology and physiology in children and adults. These measures are combined with magnetic resonance assessment of pathology. We study potential underlying mechanisms for early disease development with laboratory-based cellular, molecular and genetic work. We currently have both observational studies and clinical trials in progress, and have a large, established vascular tissue bioresource to aid investigation of underlying mechanisms.
Cardiovascular Imaging
Our refinement of clinical imaging techniques and analysis approaches within the Oxford Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility, in collaboration with the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, has created opportunities to contribute as an expert laboratory to other cardiovascular research locally and internationally in areas as diverse as stress echo, sleep apnoea, Marfan syndrome and depression.
Group Members
The group currently comprises of core technical and research nurse staff, as well as clinical research fellows, postgraduates and undergraduate students.
