Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism

Dr. Morris conducts bench-top and clinical research to develop novel techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

He conducting a clinical trial of a novel nuclear medicine technique, which he helped develop, using radiolabeled anti-D-dimer antibodies to image deep vein thrombi and pulmonary emboli. The technique allows blood clots to be visualized on nuclear medicine scans as "hot spots", based on their biochemical structure. It has the potential to identify clots in clinical situations, even those clots that are difficult to identify with techniques such as contrast-enhanced CT scanning, V/Q scanning and pulmonary angiography. Furthermore, the antibodies avoid the potential for contrast-related complications, which limit the current use of both CT and pulmonary angiography.

The process for the study is simple, involving a nuclear scanner and pictures taken by the scanner which will identify the clots. Patients 18 and older qualify for this unique study. To participate in the study or need questions answered regarding the study, call 619-543-7265.

Dr. Morris is also conducting clinical trials to explore the reason why some patients who experience acute pulmonary embolism recover fully, while some develop chronic, persistent vascular obstruction. He is investigating the contribution of specific blood clotting system components, as well as aspects of pharmacological treatment, to the balance between clot resolution and vascular scar formation.