Academic Positions
Hospital Appointments
Medical Licensure
General Certification
Specialty/Subspecialty Board Certification
Graduate Clinical Experience
Research Experience
Medical and Postgraduate Degrees
Honors and Awards
Medical and Academic Societies
Extramural Sponsored Research Activities
Clinical Expertise
Postdoctoral Teaching Experience
Visiting Professorship and Invited Lectures
Publications: Manuscripts
Book Chapters
Publications: Abstracts
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Tenure-Track, 2002 - Present
Surgical Director, Heart Transplantation Program, 2003 - Present
Head, Robotic and Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Program, MIS, 2003 - Present
Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Attending Surgeon, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at:
Minnesota, since 2000
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GENERAL CERTIFICATION:
ECFMG# 0-474-852-1, 1993
FLEX 1993
SPECIALTY/SUBSPECIALTY BOARD CERTIFICATION:
American Board of Surgery, April 15, 2002
American Board of Thoracic Surgery, June 6, 2003
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Fellow in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, 1999-2002
Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis,
Minnesota
Resident, Chief Resident in General Surgery, 1995-1999
Department of Surgery, Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, SUNY, Brooklyn, New York
Intern in General Surgery, 1994-1995
Department of Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
Intern, Resident, Chief Resident in Surgery, 1984-1989
Department of Surgery, Beijing Medical University, Beijing, China
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Research fellow, research associate 1989-1994
Cardiovascular research lab, Department of Cardiothoracic
Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
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MEDICAL AND POSTGRADUATE DEGREES:
MB with Distinction, 1984
Hubei Medical College, Hubei, China
Doctoral Degree of Surgery (PhD equivalent), 1989
Beijing Medical University, Beijing, China
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C Walton Lillehei Scholar, Lillehei Heart Institute, 2002-2003
Dean's Recruit, University of Minnesota, 2002
Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons Resident Achievement
Award, 1999
Gerald W. Shaftan MD Trauma Service Award, 1998
Brooklyn Surgical Society Scientific Paper Competition Award, 1st Place in 1997, 2nd Place in 1998
American College of Surgeons Bronx/New York Chapter Resident Scientific Paper Competition Silver Award, 1994
Hearst Foundation Biomedical Research Fellowship, 1993
American Society of Artificial Internal Organs Fellowship Award, 1991
Annual Meeting of European Association of Cardiothoracic
Anesthesiologists Best Poster Award, 1992
Albert Einstein College of Medicine Research Fellowship, 1989-1991
Scholarship Award, Hubei Medical College, 1979-1984
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MEDICAL AND ACADEMIC SOCIETIES:
Fellow, American College of Surgeon
Fellow, American College of Chest Physicians
Member, Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Member, American Heart Association
Member, AC. Walton and Richard C. Lillehei Surgical Society
Member, American Society for Artificial Internal Organs
Member, International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation
Member, International Society of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
Member, Twin City Cardiovascular and Thoracic Society
Member, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons
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EXTRAMURAL SPONSORED RESEARCH ACTIVITIES:
Principal Investigator for NIH Small Business Innovation Grant #43HL48975-01A1, Development of a New Mitral Bioprosthesis, 1994.
Principal Investigator for "A Feasibility Study to Evaluate the Short-Term Safety and Effectiveness of the Catheter, Sensor, Transmitter and Receiver Components of the LVP 1000 Monitoring System in Patients Undergoing Open-Chest Cardiac Surgery", Sponsored by DATA Sciences Inc. MN; 2004.
Co-Investigator for "Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart (STICH) Failure Multi-Center Clinical Trial", 2004.
Co-Investigator for "Randomized Clinical Trial of the Safety and Efficacy of the DeBakey VAD as Destination Therapy in Patients with End-Stage Heart Failure", 2004.
Co-Investigator for "Levitronix CentriMag Short-Term VAS U.S. Clinical Study", 2004.
Co-Investigator for "Clinical Investigation of the miniaturized DeBakey VAd for Bridge to Transplant in Patients with End-Stage Heart Failure", 2004.
Co-Investigator for "Clinical Investigation of the DeBakey VAD® with Comparison to a Performance Goal to Establish Safety and Effectiveness of the Device As a Left Ventricular Support in Patients Awaiting Cardiac Transplantation", 2004.
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CLINICAL EXPERTISE:
Robotic Assisted Cardiothoracic Surgery: established Robotic and Minimal Invasive Cardiac Surgery Program at University of Minnesota; successfully performed the 1st series of Robotic Cardiac Surgery in the state of Minnesota; Instructor for Robotic Cardiac Surgery Training Ste at the University of Minnesota.
Proficient in the clinical use of various Ventricular Assisted Devices (Abiomed, Levitronix, Thoratec, DeBakey and HeartMate).
Performed the highest number of heart transplantation procedures in the state of Minnesota in the last two years.
Performed the highest number of Ventricular Assisted Device implantation procedures in the state of Minnesota last year.
"Zero" mortality rate in both coronary artery bypass grafting surgeries and valvular surgeries in the last two years.
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POSTDOCTORAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Mentor and Advisor for the following General Surgical Residents and Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellows:
Drs. Scott Huerd, Benard Furgerson, Paul Meyer, Peter Surgerola, Paul Koh, Jong Kim, Shaun Setty, Vita Sullivan, Jonathan D'Cunha, Andrew Bardsdale.
Drs. Amanda Arrington, Annelisa Carlson, Tracy Davido, Robert Gallegos, Amy Knutsen, Sam Marquez, Jonathan McCue, Jame Ogilvie, Kevin Pandya, Anthony Rezcallh, Mara Rosenthal, Elena Apasova, James Bruns, Robert Bulander, Bernard Jared.
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VISITING PROFESSORSHIP AND INVITED LECTURES:
Chair, Artificial Organs and Devices XI - Cardiac Valve
16th International Conference on Medical and Biological Engineering
Kyoto, Japan, 1991.
"Improved design and anticalcification treatment of a new artificial mitral valve" presented at Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan, 1991.
"New generation of biocompatible mitral bioprosthesis" presented at the 80 anniversary of BMU alumni meeting, Columbia University, New York, 1992.
"New generation of biocompatible mitral bioprosthesis" presented at the Institute of Cardivascular Disease, Chinese Medical Academy and Beijing University, Beijing, 1994.
"Left ventricular assisted device as the destination therapy for end stage congestive heart failure" presented at the 13th Annual Meeting of Thailand Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Thailand, 2002.
"Less Invasive Cardiac Surgery", presented at the 2003 University of Minnesota annual cardiac anatomy and physiology course, Minneapolis, 2003.
"Robotic Cardiac Surgery", presented at the 2004 University of Minnesota Annual Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology Course, Minneapolis, 2004.
"Robotic Assisted Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery", presented at the 5th Lillehei Symposium Cardiovascular Care for Primary Practitioners, Minneapolis, 2004.
"Robotic Cardiothoracic Surgery" presented at 2004 University of Minnesota Design of Medical Devices.
"Surgical technique of heart transplantation", presented at Wuhan University Medical School, Wuhan, China, 2004.
"Left ventricular assist device as a bridge therapy to heart transplantation", presented at Tonjie Medical Unviersity Medical Certer, China, 2004.
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PUBLICATIONS: MANUSCRIPTS
1. Liao KK, Bolman, RM. Operative techniques in orthotopic heart transplantation. Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, in press.
2. Rivard AL, Gallegos RP, Bianco RW, Liao KK. The basic science aspect of donor heart preservation: a review. JECT, in press.
3. Park SJ, Liao KK, Segurola R, Madhu KP, Miller LW. Management of Aortic Insufficiency in LVAD patients: A Simple Coaptation Stitch Method (Park's Stitch). J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg, 127:264-6, 2004.
4. Liao K, Miller L, Toher C, Ormaza S, Herrington C, Bittner H, Park S. Timing of transesophageal echocardiography in diagnosing patent foramen ovale in patients supported with left ventricular assist device. Ann Thorac Surg 75:1624-6, 2003.
5. Bittner H, Savitt M, Liao K, Horrigan T, Park S, Bolman R. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting decreases mortality and morbidity in a select group of high risk patients. The Heart Surgery Forum 5, Suppl 1: S37-51, 2002.
6. Liao K, Ramirez J, Khoda S, Patetsios P, Shaftan GW, Marti J. Transbronchial insertion and lung perforation by feeding tubes. Surgical Forum 48:153-155, 1997.
7. Liao K. Laparoscopy in incarcerated hernias. Contemp Surg 51:168-170, 1997.
8. Liao K, Ramirez J, Carryl S, Shaftan GW. A new approach in the management of incarcerated hernia, emergency laparoscopic hernia repair. Surg Endosc 11:944-945, 1997.
9. Vetter H, Nerlich A, Welsch U, Liao K, Dagge A, Strenkert C, Reichart B. Total replacement of the mitral apparatus with a stentless, chordally supported mitral valve allograft: an experimental study. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 111:595-604, 1996.
10. Liao K, Frater RWM, LaPietra A, Ciuffo G, Ilardi CF, Seifeter E. Time-dependent effect of glutaraldehyde on the tendency to calcify of both autografts and xenografts. Ann Thorac Surg 60(S):343-347, 1995.
11. Vetter HO, Dagge A, Liao K, Erhorn A, Chryssagis K, Strenkert C, Reichart B. Mitral allograft with chordal support: echocardiographic evaluation in sheep. J Heart Valve Dis 4:35-39, 1995.
12. Frater RWM, Liao K, Seifter E. Stentless chordally supported mitral bioprosthetic valve. In Gabbay S, Frater RWM, editors: New Horizons and the Future of Heart Valve Bioprostheses. 1994, 103-118
13. Vetter HO, Dagge A, Nerlich A, Liao K, Erhorn A, Brenner P, Chryssagis K, Yoganathan AP, Reichart B. In vitro and in vivo examination of a new design of a stentless chordally supported mitral valve allograft. In Gabbay S, Frater RWM, editors: New Horizons and the Future of Heart Valve Bioprostheses. 1994, 93-102.
14. Liao K, Gong G, Hoffman D, Seifter E, Macaluso F, Frater RWM. Spontaneous host endothelial growth on the bioprostheses and its relation with calcification. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 7:591-596, 1993.
15. Liao K, Wu JJ, Frater RWM. Intraoperative epicardial ECHO/Doppler evaluation of stentless, chordally supported quadricusp mitral bioprosthesis. ASAIO J, 39:634-638, 1993.
16. Hoffman D, Gong G, Liao K, Nikolic S, Macaluso F, Frater RWM. Spontaneous host endothelial growth on bioprostheses: influence of fixation. Circulation 86(Suppl II):75-79, 1992.
17. Liao K, Seifter E, Yellin E, Factor SM, Frater RWM. Diphenylhydantoin inhibits calcification of bovine pericardial implants and myocardium: a preliminary study. J Surg Res 53:349-356, 1992.
18. Liao K, Seifter E, Yellin E, Hoffman D, Frater RWM. Comparison of biological properties of bovine pericardium and porcine aortic valve as prosthetic heart valves. Artif Organs 16:361-365, 1992.
19. Liao K, Seifter E, Hoffman D, Yellin E, Frater RWM. Improved postfixation treatment of glutaraldehyde fixed porcine aortic valves by monosodium glutamate. Artif Organs 16:267-272, 1992.
20. Liao K, Frater RWM, Smith WS, Nikolic S, Macaluso F, Yellin E. Two-dimensional mechanical and ultrastructural correlates of bovine pericardial valves. Trans Am Soc Artif Organs 37:M349-351, 1991.
21. Liao K, Seifter E, Gong G, Yellin E, Frater RWM. Improved biocompatibility of bovine pericardium by a new cross-linking method. Trans Am Soc Artif Organs 37:M175-176, 1991.
22. Frater RWM, Gong G, Hoffman D, Liao K. Endothelial covering of biological artificial heart valves. Ann Thorac Surg 53:371-372, 1992.
23. Liao, K. Selective abdominal arteriography and transcatheter embolization in the diagnosis and treatment of abdominal parenchymal injuries. Doctoral Thesis of Surgery, Beijing Medical University, Beijing, China, 1989.
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BOOK CHAPTERS:
1. Liao, K. Less Invasive Cardiac Surgery, in Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology, edited by P Iaizzo, in press.
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PUBLICATIONS: ABSTRACTS
1. Liao KK, Miller LW, Ormaza SM, Boyle AJ, Colvin-Adams M, Thompson J, Macho L, Park SJ. Comparison of clinical performance between HeartMate VE and XVE LVAD. Submitted for 2004 ISHLT Meeting.
2. Liao KK, LW Miller, Ormaza SM, Boyle AJ, Colvin-Adams M, Thompson J, Macho L, Park SJ. Device related complications after long term HeartMate LVAD implantation. Submitted for 2004 ISHLT Meeting.
3. Park SJ, Macho L Ormaza SM, Colvin-Adams M, Liao KK, Boyle AJ, Miller LW. Success of VAD therapy as a bridge to heart transplant. Submitted for 2004 ISHLT Meeting.
4. SJ Park, LD Joyce, KK Liao, AJ Boyle, MM Colvin-Adams, S Ormaza, J Thompson, LW Miller. Will device change-out be inevitable in destination therapy. Submitted for 2004 ISHLT meeting.
5. SJ Park, M Colvin-Adams, S Ormaza, KK Liao, R Segurola, A Boyle, L Miller. Role of left ventricular assist device for patients in acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock. Presented at 2003 Annual Meeting of American Heart Association.
6. Colvin-Adams M, Park SJ, Ormaza S, Boyle AJ, JA Cytron, Thompson JM, Liao KK, Miller LW. The impact on infection of routine use of an abdominal binder following implantation of a ventricular assist device. Presented at the 2003 Annual Meeting of
7. Boyle AJ, Park SJ, Colvin-Adams M, Liao KK, Ormaza SM, Thompson JM, Miller LW. Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome following LVAD implantation. Presented at 2003 Annual ISHLT Meeting. JHLT 22: S203, 2003.
8. Boyle AJ, Park SJ, Colvin-Adams, Ormaza SM, Liao KK, Thompson JM, Miller LW. Predictors of poor RV function following LVAD implantation. Presented at 2003 Annual ISHLT Meeting. JHLT 22: S205, 2003.
9. Liao K, Miller L, Ormaza S, Herrington C, Bittner H, Park S. Early diagnosis and treatment of PFO in patients supported with LVAD. Presented at 2001 Annual Meeting of American Society of Artificial Internal Organs.
10. Bittner H, Liao K, Wilson R, Miller L, Park S. Beating-heart coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with low EF and significantly increased mortality and morbidity risk. Presented at 2001 Annual Meeting of American College of Chest Physicians.
11. Bittner H, Savitt M, Liao K, Horrigan T, Park S, Bolman RM. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting significantly decreases mortality and morbidity risk in high-risk patients. Presented at 2001 Annual Meeting of Cardiothoracic Techniques and Technologies.
12. Liao K, Rajpal S. Single port laparoscopic gastrostomy. Video presentation at 1999 Annual Meeting of Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons.
13. Liao K, Gheewala P, Frater RWM. Treated bovine pericardium as a hernia repair material. Presented at 1999 Annual Meeting of Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons.
14. Liao K, Rice P, Butt O, Carryl S, Rajpal S, Fogler R. Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. Presented at 1998 Annual Meeting of Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons.
15. Liao K, Ramirez J, Khoda S, Patetsios P, Shaftan SW, Marti J. Transbronchial insertion and lung perforation by feeding tubes. Presented at 1997 Annual Meeting of American College of Surgeons.
16. Frater RWM, Seifter E, Liao K, Wasserman F. Anti-calcification, pro-endothelial and anti-inflammatory effect of post aldehyde polyol Rx of bioprosthetic material. Presented at 1997 Symposium of International Association for Cardiac Biological Implants.
17. Liao K, Chang T, Sisto D, Frymus M, Geller C, Frater RWM. Comparison of biocompatibility of human autologous pericardium vs treated bovine pericardium as bioprosthesis. Presented at 1996 Annual Meeting of European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
18. Yellin E, Soloman S, Liao K, Smith WW. LV remodeling during pacing induced heart failure: the logarithmic model of passive properties reveals an adaptive pattern with increased compliance. Presented at 1995 Annual Meeting of International Society for Heart Research.
19. Frater RWM, Liao K, Seifter E. Improved biocompatibility by postfixation treatment of glutaraldehyde tanned bioprosthetic cardiovascular implants. Presented at 1994 International Symposium on Cardiac Bioprosthesis.
20. Vetter HO, Nerlich A, Dagge A, Liao K, Wasserman F, Erhorn A, Reichart B. Transplantation of a stentless allograft mitral valve: results from chronic experiments in sheep. Presented at 1994 Annual Meeting of European Society of Artificial Organs.
21. Vetter HO, Dagge A, Nerlich A, Liao K, Erhorn A, Brenner P, Chryssagis K, Yoganathan AP, Reichart B. In vitro and in vivo examination of a new design of a stentless chordally supported mitral valve allograft. Presented at 1994 Symposium of International Association for Cardiac Biological Implants.
22. Liao K, Frater RWM, LaPietra A, Seifter E, Ciuffo G. Time effect of glutaraldehyde fixation on bioprosthetic valve calcification and immune reaction. Presented at 1993 Annual NIH/AAMI Cardiovascular Sci & Tech Meeting.
23. Frater RWM, Liao K, Wasserman F. In vitro hemodynamic and fatigue test performance of quadricusp chordally supported mitral valve. Presented at 1993 Annual NIH/AAMI Cardiovascular Sci & Tech Meeting.
24. Stevenson-Smith W, Soloman S, Liao K, White H, Yellin E. Determinants of the restrictive pattern in pacing dilated cardiomyopathy. Presented at 1993 Annual Meeting of American Association of Anesthesiologists.
25. Liao K, Sisto D, Wu JJ, Nanna M. Effects of nonstimulated latissimus dorsi wrap on the left ventricle function. Presented at 1993 Annual Meeting of American College of Chest Physicians.
26. Sisto D, Liao K, Wu JJ, Nanna M, Yellin E, Frater RWM. Effects of dynamic cardiomyoplasty on adriamycin induced canine left ventricular dysfunction model. Presented at 1993 World Symposium on Cardiomyopathy.
27. Liao K, Wu JJ, Frater RWM. Intraoperative Echo/Doppler evaluation of stentless, chordally supported quadricusp mitral bioprosthesis. Presented at the 1993 Annual Meeting of American Society of Artificial Internal Organs.
28. Frater RWM, Liao K, Hoffman D, Gandhi D, Nguyen K, Gong G. Stentless, chordally supported quadricusp mitral bioprosthesis. Presented at 1993 Annual Meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.
29. Liao K, Gong G, Hoffman D, Seifter E, Macaluso F, Frater RWM. Spontaneous host endothelial growth on bioprosthesis and its relation to calcification. Presented at 1992 Annual Meeting of European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgeons.
30. Liao K, Seifter E, Yellin E, Factor SM, Frater RWM. Diphenylhydantoin inhibits calcification of bovine pericardial implants in rats. Presented at 1991 Annual Meeting of Association for Academic Surgeons.
31. Liao K, Seifter E, Yellin E, Hoffman D, Frater RWM. Comparison of biological properties of bovine pericardium and porcine aortic valve as prosthetic valves. Presented at 1991 Annual Meeting of International Society of Artificial Organs.
32. Liao K, Seifter E, Yellin E, Hoffman D, Frater RWM. Improved biocompatibility by postfixation treatment of aldehyde fixed porcine aortic valves. Presented at 1991 Annual Meeting of International Society of Artificial Organs.
33. Liao K, Yellin E, Seifter E, Nikolic S, Frater RWM. Mechanical and biochemical evaluation of degenerative change of in vivo bioprosthetic valves. Presented at 1991 International Conference on Medical and Biological Engineering.
34. Liao K, Zhou M, Tanoue T, Soloman S, Shikari M, Stevenson-Smith W, Frater RWM, Yellin E. Rapid pacing induced mitral valve endothelial damage. Presented at 1991 Annual Meeting of Federation of American Society of Experimental Biology.
35. Liao K, Stevenson-Smith W, Nikolic S, Macaluso F, Frater RWM, Yellin E. Two-dimensional mechanics and ultrastructural correlates of bone pericardium. Presented at 1991 Annual Meeting of American Society of Artificial Internal Organs.
36. Liao K, Gong G, Seifter E, Yellin E, Frater RWM. Improved biocompatibility of bovine pericardium by a new cross-linking method. Presented at 1991 Annual Meeting of American Society of Artificial Internal Organs.
37. Soloman S, Liao K, Stevenson-Smith W, Yuen J, Yellin E. Endothelium-dependent vasodilatory response is decreased early in the course of heart failure. Presented at 1992 Annual Meeting of American Heart Association.
38. Stevenson-Smith W, Soloman S, Liao K, Yoran C, Yellin E. Diastolic function in pacing induced dilated cardiomyopathy. Presented at 1992 Annual Meeting of European Association of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologists.
39. Tanoue T, Biasucci L, Cacciola T, Oka Y, Nanna M, Liao K, Yellin E, Nikolic S. Mechanism of increased peak early filling velocity after simultaneous atrio-ventricular contraction. Presented at 1992 Annual Meeting of Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists.
40. Tanoue T, Biasucci L, Soloman S, Liao K, Nanna M, Oka Y, Yellin E, Nikolic S. Presented at the 1992 International Conference of the Cardiovascular System Dynamics Society.
41. Shen Z, Palma A, Nanna M, Nikolic S, Liao K, Palasciano G, Mottley J, Sonnenblick EH, Melton HE. Ultrasonic tissue characterization of ischemic myocardium in response to pharmacologic stress test. Presented at 1991 Annual Meeting of American Heart Association.
42. Biasucci L, Tanoue T, Liao K, Soloman S, Nanna M, Frater RWM, Yellin E. Acute left ventricular ischemia impairs right ventricular early filling via the septum. Presented at 1991 Annual Meeting of American College of Cardiology.
43. Stevenson-Smith W, Soloman S, Jondeau G, Liao K, Tanoue T, Yoran C, Yellin E. The left ventricular end diastolic pressure may not be uniquely related to the end diastolic volume in heart failure. Presented at 1991 Annual Meeting of American College of Cardiology.
44. Nikolic S, Biasucci L, Tanoue T, Liao K, Soloman S, Jondeau G, Frater RWM, Yellin E. Separation of the left atrial reservoir, conduit and pump functions by controlled atrial filling. Presented at 1990 Annual Meeting of American Heart Association.
45. Tanoue T, Biasucci L, Nikolic S, Liao K, Goldiner P, Oka Y, Yellin E. Hemodynamic correlates of indices derived from pulsed-Doppler measurement of transmitral flow. Presented at 1990 Annual Meeting of Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists.
46. Liao K, Li S, Zhang W, Chen HH. Selective diagnostic arteriography and transcatheter embolization for the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic intra-abdominal bleeding. Presented at 1988 Annual Meeting of Beijing Association of Surgery.
47. Liao K, Li S, Zhang W, Chen HH. The role of selective abdominal arteriography in the diagnosis of blunt abdominal injury. Presented at 1987 Annual Meeting of Beijing Association of Surgery.