John Pacella MD

Cardiology•Pittsburgh, PA

Interventional Cardiology

Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Join to View Full Profile

UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute200 Lothrop St Wing 5BPittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone+1 412-647-3087

Education & Training

UPMC Medical EducationFellowship, Interventional Cardiology, 2005 - 2006
UPMC Medical Education/Presbyterian Shadyside HospitalFellowship, Cardiology Clinical Investigator, 2000 - 2005
UPMC Medical EducationResidency, Internal Medicine, 1998 - 2000
University of Pittsburgh School of MedicineClass of 1998, MD
University of PittsburghPremedical, Medicine, 1992 - 1993
Lehigh UniversityMS, Mechanical Engineering, 1990 - 1992
Lehigh UniversityM.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1990 - 1992
Carnegie Mellon UniversityBS, Mechanical Engineering (biomedical emphasis), 1986 - 1990
Carnegie Mellon UniversityB.S., Mechanical Engineering with Biomedical Emphasis, 1986 - 1990

Certifications & Licensure

PA State Medical License 1999 - 2026
American Board of Internal Medicine Cardiovascular Disease
American Board of Internal Medicine Interventional Cardiology
American Heart AssociationACLS/BLS

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

First Prize University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 12th Annual Department of Medicine Research Day, 2014
First Prize (Martin Blomley Best Clinical Poster) 17th European Symposium on Ultrasound Contrast Imaging, 2012
Award for dedication and talent in the areas of teaching, research, and public service University of Pittsburgh 34th Annual Honors Convocation, 2010
Claude R Joyner Award for Excellence in Research American Heart Association, 2009
Young Investigator Award First Prize American Society of Echocardiography, 2005
First Prize University of Pittsburgh Department of Internal Medicine, 3rd Annual Research Day, 2005
First Prize University of Pittsburgh Department of Internal Medicine, 2nd Annual Research Day, 2004
Second Prize University of Pittsburgh Department of Surgery, 2nd Annual Research Day, 2004
First Prize American Heart Association Fellows Research Day, 2004
First Prize American Heart Association Fellows Research Day Competition, 2002
Second Prize Poster Award, Bioengineering Research Day University of Pittsburgh, 2018
Oral Presentation Award, Department of Medicine, Annual Research Day University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, 2017
First Place Poster Award, Pennsylvania Chapter Summit American College of Cardiology, 2017
First Prize, Department of Medicine, 12th Annual Research Day University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, 2014
First Prize, Martin Blomley Best Clinical Poster European Symposium on Ultrasound Contrast Imaging, 2012
Poster Presentation Award, Annual Postdoctoral Data & Dine Symposium University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Association, 2012
First Prize, Basic Science Category Great Rivers Affiliate of the American Heart Association, 2011
Second Prize, Basic Science Category Great Rivers Affiliate of the American Heart Association, 2011
34th Annual Honors Convocation, For dedication and talent in the areas of teaching, research, and public service University of Pittsburgh, 2010
Fellow Society for Coronary Angiography and Intervention, 2007
Fellow American Heart Association (Council on Clinical Cardiology), 2006
First Prize, Young Investigator Award American Society of Echocardiography, 2005
Second Prize, Department of Surgery Annual Research Day University of Pittsburgh, 2004
First Prize, Annual Research Day, Department of Internal Medicine University of Pittsburgh, 2004-2005
First Prize, Fellow�s Research Day Competition American Heart Association, 2002, 2004
Fellow American College of Cardiology, 2000
Young Investigator Fellowship Award American Society for Artificial Internal Organs, 1994
Join now to see all

Clinical Trials

The PACE-MI Registry Study - Outcomes of Beta-blocker Therapy After Myocardial Infarction (OBTAIN) Start of enrollment: 2009 May 01
Completed
The Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Study (DAPT Study) Start of enrollment: 2009 Oct 01
Completed
Phase 4
Treatment With Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP) Receptor Inhibitors: Longitudinal Assessment of Treatment Patterns and Events After Acute Coronary Syndrome Start of enrollment: 2010 Mar 01
Completed
EXCEL Clinical Trial Start of enrollment: 2010 Sep 29
Completed
Not Applicable
Complete vs Culprit-only Revascularization to Treat Multi-vessel Disease After Early PCI for STEMI Start of enrollment: 2013 Feb 01
Completed
Not Applicable
ABSORB III Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) Start of enrollment: 2012 Dec 01
Completed
Not Applicable
PLATINUM Diversity Start of enrollment: 2014 Oct 01
Completed
Join now to see all

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Enhances Accumulation of Perfluoropropane Droplets.
Cheng Chen, Shouqiang Li, Terry O Matsunaga, John J Pacella, E Carr Everbach
Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. 2025-02-01
Percutaneous coronary intervention for stable late ST-elevation myocardial infarction with symptoms onset between 12 and 72 h - A systematic review.
Shumail Fatima, Matthew E Harinstein, Mubashir Hussain, John J Pacella
Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine. 2024-12-29
1 citations
Effect of Ambient Conditions on Acoustic Activation of the Perfluoropropane Droplets Within the Infarct Zone.
Shouqiang Li, Cheng Chen, John Lof, Elizabeth A Stolze, Jiri Sklenar
Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. 2024-08-01

Journal Articles

Bedside Ultrasound Assessment of Jugular Venous Compliance as a Potential Point-of-Care Method to Predict Acute Decompensated Heart Failure 30-Day Readmission
Simon MA, Schnatz RG, Romeo JD, Pacella JJ, J Am Heart Assoc, 1/1/2018
Inertial cavitation ultrasound with microbubbles improves reperfusion efficacy when combined with low dose tissue plasminogen activator in an in-vitro model of microva...
Goyal A, Yu FTH, Tenwalde MG, Chen X, Villanueva FS, and Pacella JJ, Ultrasound Med Biol, 1/1/2017
The role of nitric oxide during sonoreperfusion of microvascular obstruction
Yu FTH, Chen X, Straub A, Pacella JJ, Theranostics, 1/1/2017
Sonoreperfusion therapy kinetics in whole blood using ultrasound, microbubbles and tPA
Roos ST, Yu FT, Kamp O, Chen X, Villanueva FS, Pacella JJ, Ultrasound Med Biol, 1/1/2016
Fluid viscosity affects the fragmentation and inertial cavitation threshold of lipid encapsulated microbubbles
Helfield B, Black JJ, Qin B, Yu FTH, Pacella JJ, Chen X, Villanueva FS, Ultrasound Med Biol, 1/1/2016
The dynamic behavior of microbubbles during long ultrasound tone-burst excitation: mechanistic insights into ultrasound-microbubble mediated therapeutics using high-sp...
Chen X, Wang J, Pacella JJ, Villanueva FS, Ultrasound Med Biol, 1/1/2016
Effect of viscosity and thrombus composition on sonoreperfusion efficacy in a model of microvascular obstruction
Black JJ, Yu FTH, Schnatz RG, Chen X, Villanueva FS, Pacella JJ, Ultrasound Med Biol, 1/1/2016
Treatment of microvascular micro-embolization using microbubbles and long tone-burst-ultrasound: an in vivo study
Pacella JJ, Brands J, Schnatz FG, Chen X, Villanueva FS, Ultrasound Med Biol, 1/1/2015
Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis as a cause for hypertension in an adolescent patient
Webb TN, Ramratnam M, Evans RW, Orchard T, Pacella JJ, Erkan E, Pediatr Nephrol, 1/1/2014
Stretchable electrochemical impedance sensors for intravascular detection of lipid-rich lesions in New Zealand White rabbits
Cao H, Yu F, Zhao Y, Scianmarello N, Lee J, Dai W, Jen N, Beebe T, Li R, Ebrahimi R, Chang DS, Mody FV, Pacella JJ, Tai YC, Hsiai T, Biosens Bioelectron, 1/1/2014
Modulation of pre-capillary arteriolar pressure with drag reducing polymers: a novel method for enhancing microvascular perfusion
Pacella JJ, Kameneva MV, Brands J, Lipowsky HH, Vink H, Lavery LL, Villanueva FS, Microcirculation, 1/1/2012
Volumetric quantification of in vitro sonothrombolysis with microbubbles using high resolution optical coherence tomography
Kim JS, Leeman JE, Kagemann L, Yu FT, Chen X, Pacella JJ, Schuman JS, Villanueva FS, Kim K, J Biomed Opt, 1/1/2012
Sonic boon: ultrasound enhances angiogenic cell therapy
Pacella JJ and Carson AR, Cardiovascular Research, 1/1/2012
Myocardial ischemic memory imaging using molecular echocardiography (with Editorial Comment)
Villanueva FS, Lu E, Bowry S, Kilic S, Tom E, Wang J, Gretton J, Pacella JJ, Wagner WR, Circulation, 1/1/2007
A novel hydrodynamic approach for the treatment of coronary artery disease (with Editorial Comment)
Pacella JJ, Kameneva MV, Lu E, Fischer D, Csikari M, Villanueva FS, Eur Heart J, 1/1/2006
Effect of coronary stenosis on adjacent bed flow reserve: assessment of microvascular mechanisms using myocardial contrast echocardiography
Pacella JJ, Villanueva FS, Circulation, 1/1/2006
AB-180 circulatory support system: summary of development and plans for phase I clinical trial
Griffin WP, Savage EB, Clark RE, Pacella JJ, Johnson GA, Magovern JA and Magovern GJ, American Society for Artificial Internal Organs, 1/1/1998
Progress in Development of a Small, Low-Cost Implantable Centrifugal Pump for Short-Term Circulatory Assistance
Clark RE, Goldstein AH, Pacella JJ, Walters RA, Moeller FW, Cattivera GR, Davis SA, Magovern GJ, Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 1/1/1996
End Organ Function with Prolonged Non-Pulsatile Circulatory Support
Reddy RC, Goldstein AH, Pacella JJ, Cattivera GR, Clark RE, Magovern GJ, American Society for Artificial Internal Organs, 1/1/1995
Predictable Reduction of Stroke Work and Ventricular Oxygen Utilization with an Implantable Centrifugal Blood Pump
Goldstein AH, Pacella JJ, and Clark RE, Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 1/1/1994
Modified Fabrication Techniques Lead to Improved Centrifugal Blood Pump Performance
Pacella JJ, Goldstein AH, Magovern GJ, and Clark RE, American Society for Artificial Internal Organs, 1/1/1994
Development of an Implantable Centrifugal Blood Pump
Goldstein AH, Pacella JJ, Trumble DR, and Clark RE, American Society for Artificial Internal Organs, 1/1/1992
Join now to see all

Books/Book Chapters

Cardiogenic Shock
Chapter: Chapter 19: Percutaneous Mechanical Assist Devices for Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction
Mulukutla SR, Pacella JJ, and Cohen HAHumana Press2001

Abstracts/Posters

Sonoreperfusion of Microvascular Obstruction: a step towards clinical translation.
Istvanic F, YTH, Chen X, Villanueva FS, Pacella JJ, Multiple Presentations, Multiple Locations, 2017, 2018, 1/1/2018
The Role of Nitric Oxide During Sonoreperfusion of Microvascular Obstruction.
Yu F.T.H., Avula V, Chen X, Straub A., Lavery L, Villanueva F.S. and Pacella JJ, 33nd Annual Advances in Contrast Ultrasound �International Bubble Conference; 22nd European Symposium on Ultrasound Contrast Imaging, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2017; Chicago, IL, 2018, 1/1/2018
Tissue Plasminogen Activator Loaded Microbubbles for the Treatment of Coronary Microvascular Obstruction.
D'Auria SJ, Istvanic F, Yu F; Chen X, Pacella JJ, American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, Chicago, IL, 1/1/2018
Time Course of the Vasoactive Response for Sonoreperfusion Therapy using Long Tone Burst Ultrasound.
Yu FTH, Chen X, Zhu J, Villanueva FS, Pacella JJ, 176th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, Victoria, Canada, 1/1/2018
The effect of pulse length on perfusion kinetics following sonoreperfusion therapy.
Yu FTH, Yu G, Chen X, Lavery L, Villanueva FS, Pacella JJ, 22nd European Symposium on Ultrasound Contrast Imaging; IEEE Ultrasonics Symposium, Washington, DC, 2017; Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2017, 1/1/2017
Mechanism of endothelial cell calcium influx during sonoreperfusion therapy.
Istvanic F, Yu F, Chen X, Pacella JJ, Department of Medicine Research Day; AHA Fellows Research Day, Pittsburgh, PA, 1/1/2017
Super-resolution imaging of muscle vasculature using microbubble localization technique
Yu J., Yu F.T.H., Pacella J.J., Villanueva F.S., Kim K, IEEE Ultrasonics Symposium, Tours, 1/1/2016
Effect of viscosity and thrombus composition on sonoreperfusion efficacy in a model of microvascular obstruction.
Chen X, Black JJ, Yu FTH, Schnatz RG, Helfield B, Villanueva FS, Pacella JJ, 21st European Symposium on Ultrasound Contrast Imaging, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 1/1/2016
The importance of nitric oxide in sonoreperfusion therapy for treating microvascular obstruction
Akash Goyal, Francois TH Yu, Xucai Chen, Flordeliza S Villanueva, and John J Pacella, American Heart Association, Fellows Research Day, Pittsburgh, PA, 1/1/2016
Sonoreperfusion for microvascular obstruction: a clinically applicable approach.
Istvanic F, Yu F, Chen X, Villanueva F, Pacella J, Department of Medicine Research Day; 21st European Symposium on Ultrasound Contrast Imaging; American Heart Association, Fellows Research Day, Pittsburgh, PA, 2016; Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2016, 1/1/2016
Role of Nitric Oxide in Sonoreperfusion Therapy for Microvascular Obstruction
Yu FT, Chen X, Villanueva FS, Pacella JJ, Circulation, 1/1/2016
Low dose tPA improves reperfusion efficacy of microvascular obstruction using ultrasound with microbubbles.
Goyal A, Yu FTH, Tenwalde MG, Chen X, Villanueva FS, Pacella JJ, J Am Coll Cardiol, 1/1/2016
Sonoreperfusion for microvascular obstruction using ultrasound and microbubbles: role of nitric oxide.
Yu FTH, Chen X, Villanueva FS, Pacella JJ, J Am Coll Cardiol, 1/1/2016
Lowering acoustic requirements for effective sonoreperfusion of microvascular obstruction using ultra low dose tPA.
Goyal A, Yu FT, Tenwalde MG, Chen X, Villanueva FS, Pacella JJ, 20th European Symposium on Ultrasound Contrast Imaging, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 1/22/2015
Nitric oxide contributes to effective sonoreperfusion of microvascular obstruction.
Yu F, Wolf M, Tenwalde MG, Schnatz F, Chen X, Villanueva FS, Pacella JJ, 20th European Symposium on Ultrasound Contrast Imaging, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 1/22/2015
Microbubble behavior during long tone-burst ultrasound excitation.
Xucai Chen, Jianjun Wang, John J. Pacella, Flordeliza S. Villanueva, Acoustical Society of America, Pittsburgh, PA, 1/1/2015
Effect of viscosity and thrombus composition on sonoreperfusion efficacy in an in-vitro model of microvascular obstruction.
John J. Black, Rick Schnatz, Francois Yu, Xucai Chen, Flordeliza S. Villanueva, John J. Pacella, American Heart Association, Fellows Research Day, Pittsburgh, PA, 1/1/2015
Reperfusion of microvascular obstruction using ultrasound and ultra low dose tPA
Mathea G. Tenwalde, Francois T.H. Yu, Akash Goyal, Xucai Chen, Flordeliza S. Villanueva, and John J. Pacella, American Heart Association, Fellows Research Day, Pittsburgh, PA, 1/1/2015
Nitric oxide contributes to effective sonoreperfusion for microvascular obstruction
Michelle Wolf, Francois TH Yu, Mathea G Tenwalde, Frederick Schnatz, Xucai Chen, Flordeliza S Villanueva and John J Pacella, American Heart Association, Fellows Research Day, Pittsburgh, PA, 1/1/2015
Effect of viscosity and thrombus composition on sonoreperfusion efficacy in a model of arteriolar microvascular obstruction.
John J Black; Francois TH Yu; Rick G Schnatz; Xucai Chen; Flordeliza S Villanueva; John J Pacella, Acoustical Society of America, Pittsburgh, PA, 1/1/2015
Effect of blood viscosity and thrombus composition on sonoreperfusion efficacy.
John J. Black, Rick Schnatz, Francois Yu, Xucai Chen, Judith Brands, Flordeliza S. Villanueva, John J. Pacella, Acoustical Society of America, Pittsburgh, PA, 1/1/2015
Sonoreperfusion efficacy is greater with venous thrombi compared to arterial thrombi in an in vitro model of arteriolar microvascular obstruction.
Black J, Schnatz R, Yu F, Chen X, Villanueva FS, Pacella JJ, IEEE International Ultrasonic Symposium, 1/1/2014
Sonoreperfusion Therapy for Microvascular Obstruction Using Microbubbles and Low Dose tPa.
Roos S, Schnatz F, Pacella JJ, Circulation; 20th European Symposium on Ultrasound Contrast Imaging, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 1/1/2014
Bedside Ultrasound Evaluation of Right Atrial Pressure to Predict Acute Decompensated Heart Failure 30-Day Readmission.
Schnatz F, Parikh S, Leeman J, Singh M, Villanueva FS, Simon M, Pacella JJ, Circulation, 1/1/2014
New rat hindlimb model of microvascular no-reflow to evaluate treatment of microvascular obstruction with long tone burst sonothrombolysis
Pacella JJ, Brands J, Chen X, Schnatz F, Wang J, Lavery L, Villanueva FS, 18th European Symposium on Ultrasound Contrast Imaging, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 1/17/2013
Join now to see all

Lectures

The Role of Nitric Oxide during Sonoreperfusion of Microvascular Obstruction
University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, 2017; Chicago, IL, 2018 - 1/1/2018
Progress in the treatment of microvascular obstruction using ultrasound and microbubble therapy
University of Pittsburgh - 1/1/2015
Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Stents
Carnegie Mellon University - 1/1/2014
Microbubble-Mediated Sonoreperfusion with Long Tone Burst Ultrasound for the Treatment of Microvascular Microembolization: An In Vivo Study
University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, 2014 - 1/1/2014
Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Stent Design
Carnegie Mellon University - 1/1/2014
New rat hindlimb model of microvascular no-reflow to evaluate treatment of microvascular obstruction with long tone burst sonothrombolysis
Rotterdam, The Netherlands - 1/1/2013
Contrast Ultrasound for Myocardial No Reflow: A New Therapy?
Pittsburgh, PA, 2011; Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2012 - 1/1/2012
Enhancement of Capillary Perfusion through increased arteriolar pressure with drag reducing polymers.
Pittsburgh, PA - 1/1/2011
Efficacy of Contrast Ultrasound as a Stand-Alone Therapy for Myocardial No-Reflow.
Chicago, IL - 1/1/2011
Drag Reducing Polymers for the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction and Stroke.
Nemacolin Woodlands, PA - 1/1/2010
An InVivo Model for Real Time Visualization of Microbubble-Mediated Sonothrombolysis in the Microcirculation
Rotterdam, The Netherlands - 1/1/2010
Clinical Assessment of Central Venous Pressure: Comparison of Physical Exam to a Simple Bedside Ultrasound Technique.
Pittsburgh, PA - 1/1/2010
Prediction of Elevated Right Atrial Pressure Using Bedside Ultrasound Relationship to Venous Compliance.
Pittsburgh, PA - 1/1/2010
Detection of Elevated Right Atrial Pressure Using a Simple Bedside Ultrasound Measure
Pittsburgh, PA - 1/1/2009
Drag Reducing Polymers: A New Treatment for Coronary Artery Disease
State College, PA, 2008; Penn State University, University Park, PA, 2009 - 1/1/2009
Novel Therapies for the Treatment and Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease
Nemacolin Woodlands, PA - 1/1/2009
Enhancement of Microvascular Red Blood Cell Distribution With Drag Reducing Polymers
State College, PA, 2008; St. Louis, MO, 2008 - 1/1/2008
Novel Approaches to the Management of Coronary Artery Disease: Focus on the Microcirculation
University of Pittsburgh - 1/1/2008
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: PCI for AMI
UPMC Presbyterian-Montefiore Hospital - 1/17/2007
Drag Reduction by Polymer Infusion: A New Treatment for Coronary Artery Disease?
University of Pittsburgh - 1/1/2006
A New Treatment for Coronary Artery Disease: Research Summary
Westmoreland, PA - 1/1/2006
Drag Reducing Polymers Increase Capillary Blood Volume and Improve Coronary Flow Reserve During Coronary Stenosis
University of Pittsburgh - 1/1/2005
Myocardial Echocardiographic Assessment of Microvascular Physiology During a New Treatment for Coronary Artery Disease.
Boston, MA - 1/1/2005
Drag Reducing Polymers Increase Capillary Volume and Improve Coronary Flow Reserve During Coronary Stenosis
Boston, MA, 2005; Florence, Italy, 2005 - 1/1/2005
Drag Reduction By Polymer Infusion: A New Mechanism To Enhance Microcirculatory Perfusion
Multiple Locations, 2004 - 1/1/2004
Join now to see all

Press Mentions

Microvascular Therapeutics Has Received Funds from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)July 19th, 2021
Microvascular Therapeutics Receives NIH SBIR Phase I Funds for Its Program to Treat Heart AttackJuly 31st, 2020

Committees

Member, Fellows Research Day Task Force, American Heart Association PA Affiliate 2011 - Present
Member, Industrial and Professional Advisory Council (IPAC), PennState University 2011 - 2011
Judge, Fellows Research Day Committee, American Heart Association PA Affiliate 2010 - 2014