Miroslav Radulovic, M.D.
Associate Program Director,
Internal Medicine Residency Program
Staff Physician
Health Science Specialist
James J. Peters VA Medical Center
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Mt. Sinai School of Medicine(718) 584-9000 ext 5472
miroslav.radulovic@va.gov
Dr. Radulovic received his doctorate in medicine from the International College of Medicine, University of Nis, Serbia, in 1998. With an interest in the etiology of pulmonary dysfunction, in 2001, he had the opportunity to work as a Research Health Science Specialist in the Pulmonary Program of the Spinal Cord Damage Research Center. Subsequently, Dr. Radulovic completed a residency in Internal Medicine and, in 2006, became board certified in Internal Medicine. After completing his residency training, he returned to the Spinal Cord Damage Research Center and is Co-Director of the Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine Program, with Dr. Gregory Schilero, the Director of the Pulmonary Program. Dr. Radulovic is Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and the Associate Program Director of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Bronx) Residency Training Program in Internal Medicine.
Program goals (Lay)
Spinal cord injury weakens the muscles of breathing and reduces the ability to cough or exhale forcefully, an action that is necessary to clear the lung of secretions, This reduced or absent ability to effectively clear secretions from the airways may result in infections, as well as contribute to the occurrence of sleep disorders. An asthma-like condition may also occur in those with higher cord lesions.
Dr. Radulovic collaborates with Dr. Schilero and his team to explore the use of medications and mechanical devices to improve the respiratory discomfort and health risks associated with spinal cord injury. The findings of Drs. Radulovic and Schilero would be anticipated to assist in the prevention of disorders of breathing, lung infections, and disordered sleeping patterns.
Another aspect of this work is to better understand the role of acid reflux in the etiology of the asthma-like condition observed after spinal cord injury. Acid reflux may also cause damage to the esophagus.
Program goals (Scientific)
Research in the Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine Program has concentrated on altered respiratory mechanics and sleep pathophysiology in persons with spinal cord injury. Areas of interest include mechanisms underlying non-specific airway hyper-reactivity, bronchodilator responsiveness, and the role of the autonomic nervous system in governing airway tone in persons with tetraplegia. More recently, investigation has focused upon the presence and impact of the airway inflammatory response and on methods to accurately measure and potentially augment respiratory muscle strength in persons with tetraplegia and high paraplegia. Another area of interest involves identification and analysis of sleep disordered breathing, a condition that is highly prevalent among persons with tetraplegia. Further work is ongoing to investigate the prevalence and significance of gastroesophageal reflux in persons with SCI, a problem that may precipitate an asthma-like condition by causing irritation and inflammation in the lining of the airways of the lung.