Spearman Lab

Research in the Spearman Lab is focused on understanding the mechanisms of vascular remodeling in congenital heart disease. We are currently investigating the pathophysiology of pulmonary vascular remodeling in single ventricle congenital heart disease 鈥� specifically pulmonary arteriovenous malformations and aortopulmonary collaterals.

Patients with palliated single ventricle congenital heart disease have greatly improved survival today due to multiple medical and surgical innovations. Improved survival has also led to increased prevalence of unintended complications of palliated single ventricle circulation. One widely recognized complication is the development of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs). Our current research utilizes patient tissue samples, surgical animal models, and in vitro approaches to study PAVMs.

Our research seeks to answer key questions about single ventricle PAVMS:

What is the pathologic progression of pulmonary vascular remodeling in single ventricle PAMVs?
How do hepatic vein blood and blood flow regulate normal pulmonary vascular homeostasis?
What are the critical factors in hepatic vein blood that prevent PAVMs? In other words, what is hepatic factor?
How do single ventricle PAVMs compare to heritable forms of PAVMs?

Meet Our Team

Andrew Spearman, MD

Spearman_Andrew

Principal Investigator
Associate Professor
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Cardiology
皇家华人
Children鈥檚 Wisconsin | Herma Heart Institute
aspearman@mcw.edu
MCW Faculty Profile

Tina Wan, PhD

Research Scientist

Henry Rousseau, BA

Research Technician

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