Satish S.C. Rao, M.D., Ph.D., FRCP (LON), FACG, AGAF
Professor of Medicine
Chief, Section of Gastroenterology/Hepatology
Director, Digestive Health Center
Georgia Health Sciences University
Medical College of Georgia,
Augusta, GA
President, American Neurogastroenterology Motility Society

Satish Rao received his MD from Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, India, his PhD from the University of Sheffield, UK, and the Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP) in London, UK, in 1997. He completed his training in internal medicine at several academic centers in UK and a clinical research fellowship in gastroenterology at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, University of Sheffield, UK. After 20 years at University of Iowa, currently, Dr. Rao is a Professor of Medicine and Chief, Section of Gastroenterology/Hepatology & Director, Digestive Health Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta, GA.

He will lead an aggressive initiative to expand the university’s capabilities in treating digestive disorders. He plans to work closely with colleagues in surgery, urology, otolaryngology and neurology to create the model system.

Dr Rao is one of a rare breed of academicians who has excelled as an outstanding researcher, distinguished educator and as a Master Clinician. Dr. Rao’s research interests focus on the pathophysiology and treatment of IBS, constipation and fecal incontinence and visceral pain, particularly esophageal chest pain. He has pioneered several new techniques of evaluating esophageal, gastric, colonic, and anorectal function, in particular the brain-gut axis, has received several patents and pioneered the technique of biofeedback therapy for dyssynergic defecation. He is currently investigating the neurobiologic mechanisms of biofeedback therapy, particularly brain-gut interactions, and pioneering new treatments for fructose intolerance. He has received numerous international awards including the AGA-SKF Clinical Research Award, ACG Clinical Research Award and a GI/Nutrition Clinical Research Award from Central Society of Clinical Research. He is the only physician to date who has received all 3 meritorious honors from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the AGA Distinguished Clinician Award, AGA Masters Award for Outstanding Clinical Research and the AGA Distinguished Educator Award. In 2005, he also received the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Auxiliary Research Award, the highest research award from ACG, and in 2007 the ACG Novartis Motility Research award for the best research paper. In 2009, he was awarded the International Foundation for Functional GI disorders Senior Clinical Investigator Award. In 2010, he received the most distinguished honor from Iowa, University of Iowa Regents Award for Faculty Excellence and the prestigious and highest honor from the Indian Society of Gastroenterology “Dr PN Chuttani Oration”.

A very productive, federally funded investigator and sought-after speaker, Dr. Rao has edited several books, Disorders of the Anorectum (2001), Anorectal and Pelvic Floor disorders (2008) for Gastroenterology Clinics of North America, Gastrointestinal Motility- Tests and Problem-Oriented Approach and GI Motility Testing-a Laboratory and Office Handbook (2010,Co-editor). He has published over 300 articles and is a reviewer for major international journals. He is an astute clinician with an international reputation and has been selected as one of the “Best Doctors in America” for over 10 years and as America’s Top Doctors. He has mentored over 50 research scholars.

Dr. Rao is a member of several distinguished medical and research societies. He is the President of the American Neurogastroenterology & Motility Society.

El Circulo de Motilidad de la Rpública Argentina (CIDEMO), tiene el agrado de invitarlo a participar del IX Simposio de Motilidad que tendrá lugar en la ciudad de Mar del Plata, durante los días 20 y 21 de abril del 2012.

Postdoctoral researcher of State University of Rio de Janeiro

PhD in Gastroenterology – University of Aachen (Germany) and Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Marcelo F. Vela, MD, MSCR, FACG
Associate Professor of Medicine
Director of GI Motility, Gastroenterology Section
Baylor College of Medicine &
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
2002 Holcombe Blvd. (111D)
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-794-7274
E-mail: mvela@bcm.edu

EDUCATION

M.S. (Clinical Research) Medical University of South Carolina 2004 – 2006
Charleston, SC

M.D. Universidad Francisco Marroquin 1992 – 1997
Guatemala City, Guatemala

B.Sc. (Medical Sciences) Universidad Francisco Marroquin 1990 – 1991
Guatemala City, Guatemala

POST-GRADUATE TRAINING

Clinical Research Scholar NIH K30 Scholar at MUSC 2004 – 2006
Charleston, SC

Gastroenterology Fellowship Cleveland Clinic Foundation 2001 – 2004
Cleveland, OH

Clinical Research Fellowship MCP Hahnemann School of Medicine 2000 – 2001
Philadelphia, PA

Internal Medicine Residency MCP Hahnemann School of Medicine 1997 – 2000
Philadelphia, PA

BOARD CERTIFICATION

American Board of Internal Medicine: Gastroenterology 2004

American Board of Internal Medicine 2000

FACULTY APPOINTMENTS

Department of Medicine Baylor College of Medicine Associate Professor 2010

Department of Medicine Medical Univ. S. Carolina Associate Professor 2008
Assistant Professor 2004

College of Graduate Studies Medical Univ. S. Carolina Associate Faculty 2008
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

American Gastroenterological Association 1998 – present
American College of Gastroenterology 1999 – present
Gastroenterology Research Group 2000 – present
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2001 – present
International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus 2009 – present
American Neurogastroenterology and Motiity Society 2009 – present

EDITORIAL POSITIONS

Associate Editor
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (appointed for 2012)

Section Editor
Current Gastroenterology Reports (“Esophagus” section)

Editorial Board
Digestive Diseases and Sciences
Diseases of the Esophagus

Ad hoc Journal Reviewer
Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
American Journal of Gastroenterology
Annals of Internal Medicine
Annals of Surgery
British Journal of Surgery
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Digestive Diseases and Sciences
Gastroenterology
Gut
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
Mayo Clinic Proceedings
Neurogastroenterology and Motility

GRANT / STUDY REVIEWER
Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) – ad hoc reviewer
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Cooperative Studies Program – ad hoc reviewer
Research Grants Council, Hong Kong, China – ad hoc reviewer

GRANTS

South Central Veterans Administration Health Care Network Grant 2011
“Esophageal Mucosal Integrity and Nociceptor Activity in Heartburn”.

American College of Gastroenterology Clinical Research Grant 2011
“Effect of Obesity and H. pylori Status on LES Function and Reflux Characteristics
In Patients With GERD and Barrett’s Esophagus”.

American College of Gastroenterology Junior Faculty Development Award 2007
“Electron Microscopy and Impedance-pH to Evaluate Endoscopy-Negative Reflux”.

American Gastroenterological Association Esophageal Clinical Research Award 2006
“Refractory GERD: Evaluation by Electron Microscopy and Impedance-pH”.
AWARDS / RECOGNITION

Baylor College of Medicine Mentoring Award 2011

Best Doctors in America 2011

Honorary Member – Guatemalan Gastroenterology Association 2010

Honorary Member – Colombian Gastroenterology Association 2010

Distinguished Visitor – City of Veracruz, Mexico (recommended by Mexican GI Association) 2008

Astra-Zeneca Emerging GI Leaders. Gothenburg, Sweden. 2007

Fellow – American College of Gastroenterology. 2007

Faculty Excellence Award 2006
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC.

REGAL (Research Excellence in GI and Liver) Award. San Francisco, CA. 2005

Clinical Research Scholar Recipient (National Institutes of Health K30 Award). 2004

American Gastroenterological Association Clinical Scholar Award 2002
World Congress of Gastroenterology. Bangkok, Thailand.

American College of Gastroenterology Astra-Zeneca Senior Fellow Award 2001
Las Vegas, NV.

COMMITTEES

American College of Gastroenterology
International Relations Committee 2010 – present
Clinical Research Committee 2009 – present
Practice Parameters Committee 2006 – present

American Gastroenterological Association
Education and Training Committee (CME Subcommittee) 2008 – present
AGA Representative to PEHRC (Physician’s 2004 – 2006
Electronic Health Record Coalition)
Clinical Practice and Economics Committee 2004 – 2005
Clinical Practice Committee 2002 – 2004
Young Gastroenterologist and Trainee Committee 2002 – 2004
Baylor College of Medicine
Faculty Research and Fellowship Support Committee 2007 – present

PRESENTATIONS (selected)

“Evaluation of Esophageal Motility Disorders”
28th Annual Controversies, Problems, and Techniques in Surgery Symposium
New York, NY. December 2011.

“Eosinophilic Esophagitis – a New Epidemic”
Chilean GI Society Annual Meeting
Viña del Mar, Chile. November 2011.

“Esophageal Motor Disorders: New Techniques and New Classifications”
Chilean GI Society Annual Meeting
Viña del Mar, Chile. November 2011.

“Changes in Mucosal Integrity in Refractory GERD”
16th Annual Meeting of the American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society
Saint Louis, MO. September 2011.

“Impedance-pH Monitoring for GERD”
American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society 6th Postgraduate Course
Saint Louis, MO. September 2011.

“Non-acid reflux”
Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy Course (WGO Training Center – Mexico City)
Mexico City, Mexico. July 2011.

“Laryngopharyngeal Reflux”
11th International Gastroenterology Conference
Medellin, Colombia. June 2011.

“Best of DDW 2010 in Spanish: Esophagus”
AGA Forum, Digestive Diseases Week
Chicago, IL. May 2011

“Noncardiac Chest Pain”
Baylor College of Medicine GI and Liver Course 2010
Houston, TX. February 2011

“Interpretation of Impedance-pH Monitoring Studies in Clinical Practice”
Impedance-pH Monitoring Workshop
Buenos Aires, Argentina. January 2011
“When to Suspect Laryngopharyngeal Reflux”
Creighton University 8th Annual Esophageal Conference
Omaha, NE. October 2010

“Diagnosis and Management of GERD”
St. Luke’s Hospital Internal Medicine Grand Rounds
Houston, TX. September 2010

“Diagnostic Strategies for Dysphagia”
Baylor College of Medicine Internal Medicine Grand Rounds
Houston, TX. August 2010
“Eosinophilic Esophagitis”
American College of Gastroenterology International Postgraduate Course
Guatemala City, Guatemala. July 2010

“Wireless pH Monitoring”
University of Texas Medical Branch Fellowship Lecture
Houston, TX. July 2010.

“Best of DDW 2010 in Spanish: Esophagus”
AGA Forum, Digestive Diseases Week
New Orleans, LA. May 2010.

“Testing for Esophageal Disease in 2010: New Diagnostic Tools”
Internal Medicine Grand Rounds, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
Houston, TX. March 2010.

“Heartburn: GERD, NERD or Functional Disease”
Baylor College of Medicine GI and Liver Course 2010
Houston, TX. February 2010.

“Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance and pH for the Evaluation of GERD”
GI Grand Rounds, University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC. November 2009.

“Testing for Reflux: from Basic Physiology to Influencing Therapy”
GI Pathophysiology Course, Annual Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology
San Diego, CA. October 2009.

“Refractory GERD: Evaluation and Management”
Colombian GI Association Digestive Diseases Conference
Cartagena, Colombia. September 2009.

“Non Cardiac Chest Pain”
9th International Gastroenterology Conference
Medellin, Colombia. August 2009.

“GERD Diagnostic Tools”
First Annual Meeting on Esophageal Diseases for Gastroenterology Trainees
Las Vegas, NV. July 2009.

“GERD in 2009: Evaluation and Management”
Guatemalan Gastroenterology Association Symposium
Guatemala City, Guatemala. July 2009.

“Evaluation and Management of Refractory GERD”
Medical College of Georgia “Medical and Surgical Approaches to GI Disorders” Course
Kiawah Island, SC. July 2009.

“Esophageal Motor Disorders: New Diagnostic Tools and New Classifications”
Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy Course (WGO Training Center – Mexico City)
Mexico City, Mexico. July 2009.

“Intercellular Space Distance is Increased in Refractory Heartburn Patients with GERD but not those with Functional Heartburn: A Study Using Impedance-pH and Electron Microscopy”.
AGA GERD Diagnostic Testing Research Forum, Digestive Diseases Week
Chicago, IL. June 2009.

“New Insights into Extraesophageal GERD”
AGA Extraesophageal GERD Symposium, Digestive Diseases Week
Chicago, IL. June 2009.

“A Clinical Approach to Dysphagia”
Medicine Grand Rounds, Tucson VA Hospital
Tucson, AZ. April 2009.
“Impedance-pH and Electron Microscopy for the evaluation of GERD”
GI Research Forum, Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, TX. March 2009.

“Update on Gastroparesis”
Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Trial Meeting
Charleston, SC. February 2009.

“New Diagnostic Techniques for GERD”
GI Grand Rounds – Uruguay National University
Montevideo, Uruguay. December 2008.
“Pathophysiology, GERD Monitoring, and Motility Disorders”
Esophageal Testing Seminar
Buenos Aires, Argentina. December 2008.

“Non-Cardiac Chest Pain: New Concepts in Pathophysiology”
National Gastroenterology Week (Mexico)
Veracruz, Mexico. November 2008.

“Role of Impedance Testing Prior to Fundoplication”
Meeting of the Colombian Association of Gastroenterology
Bogota, Colombia. November 2008.

“GERD and Barrett’s: Treatment and Surveillance”
Interstate Postgraduate Medical Association Primary Care Update
Las Vegas, NV. November 2008.

“GERD, Barrett’s and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma in South Carolina in 2006: Geographic Analysis of Prevalence and Effect of Availability of Endoscopy Centers”
United European Gastroenterology Week
Vienna, Austria. October 2008.

“Role of Impedance-pH Monitoring in the Evaluation of GERD”
New Frontiers in GERD Symposium, Annual Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology
Orlando, FL. October 2008.

“New diagnostic methods in GERD: Impedance-pH and Electron Microscopy”
University of Miami GI Grand Rounds.
Miami, FL. August 2008.

“Barrett’s Esophagus: The Who, When and How of Screening, Surveillance and Treatment”
Internal Medicine Grand Rounds, Presbyterian Hospital.
Charlotte, NC. June 2008.

“GERD Diagnostic Testing in 2008: When, How and Who Should be Tested?”
AGA GERD Diagnostics Symposium, Digestive Diseases Week
San Diego, CA. May 2008.

“Refractory GERD”
AGA Meet-the-Professor Luncheon, Digestive Diseases Week
San Diego, CA. May 2008.

“Novel Techniques for the Evaluation of GERD”
University of Alabama (Birmingham) GI Grand Rounds.
Birmingham, AL. May 2008.

“New methods for the evaluation of esophageal function”.
International Gastroenterology Course (Mexican Gastroenterology Society).
Guadalajara, Mexico. April 2008.

“Impedance-pH and Electron Microscopy: Role in NERD and refractory GERD”
Vanderbilt University GI Grand Rounds.
Nashville, TN. January 2008.

“Barrett’s Esophagus Update”
Southern Medical Association Dilemmas in Primary Care Course.
New York, NY. December 2007.
“Refluxate characteristics leading to symptoms in acid-suppressed patients”
Emerging GI Leaders Symposium.
Gothenburg, Sweden. November 2007.

“Evaluation of Endoscopy-Negative Reflux Disease by Impedance-pH and Electron Microscopy”
University of Chicago.
Chicago, IL. August 2007.

“Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding”
ASGE Fellows Endoscopy Course.
Oak Brook, IL. August 2007.

“Role Impedance-pH and Electron Microscopy in NERD and refractory GERD”
Cleveland Clinic GI Research Conference.
Cleveland, OH. August 2007.

“Management of GERD – Both Acid and Non-Acid”
University of South Carolina School of Medicine Family Practice Update
Hilton Head, SC. June 2007.

“Upper GI Disease Update”
Medical University of South Carolina Intensive Review of Family Medicine
Kiawah Island, SC. June 2007.

“Extraesopahgeal GERD”.
Meet-the-Professor Luncheon, Digestive Diseases Week.
Washington, DC. May 2007.

“Current Approach to the Treatment of Achalasia and Esophageal Spasm”
Colombian Gastroenterology Association “New Paradigms in Esophageal Diseases Symposium”
Bogota, Colombia. February 2007.

“Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding”
ASGE Fellows Endoscopy Course.
Oak Brook, IL. August 2006.

“Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: Epidemiology and Risk Factors”
21st Medical and Surgical Aspects of Esophageal and Foregut Disorders.
Maui, HI. February 2006.

“The Treatment of GERD in 2006: Current Approach and Future Directions”.
Medicine Grand Rounds, Medical University of South Carolina.
Charleston, SC. December 2005.

“The effect of proton pump inhibitors on acid and nonacid reflux”
REGAL (Research Excellence in GI and Liver) Symposium
San Francisco, CA. October 2005.

“Current Treatments for Achalasia are not curative: the Long-term Effect of Pneumatic Dilation and Heller Myotomy”.
AGA Research Forum, Digestive Diseases Week.
New Orleans, LA. May 2004.

“Treating Achalasia: The Cleveland Clinic Experience”.
GI Grand Rounds, Medical University of South Carolina.
Charleston, SC. September 2003.
“Baclofen reduces both acid and nonacid gastroesophageal reflux”.
ASGE Young Investigator’s Conference in Digestive Diseases.
Indian Wells, CA. April 2002.

“Reading the Esophageal Function Test”.
Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance Interpretation Forum.
Las Vegas, NV. October 2001.

“Baclofen reduces both acid and nonacid gastroesophageal reflux: a study using by combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH (MII/pH)”.
ACG Simultaneous Plenary Sessions: Esophagus.
Las Vegas, NV. October 2001.

“Impedance monitoring for nonacid reflux and esophageal function”.
16th Medical and Surgical Aspects of Esophageal and Foregut Disorders
Big Island of Hawaii, HI. February 2001.

“Esophageal transit studies using multichannel intraluminal impedance”.
Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance Research Forum.
San Diego, CA. May 2000.

“Effect of Omeprazole (PPI) on ratio of acid to nonacid gastroesophageal reflux. Studies using simultaneous intraesophageal impedance and pH”.
ASGE/AASLD/AGA Young Investigator’s Conference in Digestive Diseases.
La Jolla, CA. April 2000.

“Nonacid reflux and principles of impedance monitoring”.
15th Medical and Surgical Aspects of Esophageal and Foregut Disorders.
Maui, HI. February 2000.

“Esophageal clearance patterns differ for acid and nonacid gastroesophageal reflux: a study using simultaneous intraesophageal impedance and pH”.
AGA Research Forum, Digestive Diseases Week.
Orlando, FL. May 1999.

“Effect of Omeprazole (PPI) on ratio of acid to nonacid gastroesophageal reflux. Studies using simultaneous intraesophageal impedance and pH”.
AGA Plenary Session, Digestive Diseases Week.
Orlando, FL. May 1999.

PUBLICATIONS

Manuscripts
Vela MF, Craft BM, Sharma N, Freeman J, Hazen-Martin D. Refractory Heartburn: Comparison of Intercellular Space Distance in Documented GERD vs. Functional Heartburn. Am J Gastroenterol 2011;106:844-50.
Remes-Troche JM, Ramirez-Cervantes KL, Vela MF. If no acid, no heartburn? New physiopathological mechanisms of GERD. Rev Gastroenterol Mex 2011;76:237-46.
Vela MF. The Clinical Usefulness of High-Resolution Manometry for the Management of Achalasia. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 2009;11:170-2.
Blonski W, Vela MF, Castell DO. Comparison of Reflux Frequency During Prolonged Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance and pH Monitoring On and Off Acid Suppression Therapy. J Clinical Gastroenterol 2009;43:816-20.
Pandolfino JE, Vela MF. Technical Review: Esophageal Reflux Monitoring. Gastrointest Endosc 2009;69:917-30.
Agrawal A, Roberts J, Sharma N, Tutuian R, Vela MF Castell DO. Symptoms with acid and non-acid reflux may be produced by different mechanisms. Dis Esophaugs 2009;22:467-70.
Vela MF. Non-acid Reflux: Detection, Clinical Significance and Management. The Role of Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance (MII-pH) Testing. Am J Gastroenterol 2009;104:277-80.
Blonski W, Vela MF, Freeman J, Sharma N, Castell DO. The effect of oral buspirone, pyridostigmine and bethanechol on esophageal function evaluated with combined multichannel esophageal impedance-manometry. J Clinical Gastroenterol; 2009:43:253-60.
Vela MF. Role of Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance (MII-pH) Monitoring in the Management of GERD: Measurement, Clinical Importance and Treatment of Non-acid Reflux. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2008;2:665-75.
Vela MF. Empiric treatment with esomeprazole or endoscopy for the initial treatment of patients with GERD without alarm features? Nat Clin Pract Gastroenterol Hepatol 2008;5:548-549.
Blonski W, Hila A, Vela MF, Castell DO. An analysis of distal esophageal impedance in individuals with and without esophageal motility abnormalities. J Clin Gastroenterol 2008;42:776-81.
Wilson JA, Vela MF. New Esophageal Function Testing (Impedance, Bravo pH Monitoring, and High Resolution Manometry): Clinical Relevance. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 2008; 10:222-30.
Tutuian R, Vela MF, Hill E, Mainie I, Agrawal A, Castell DO. Characteristics of symptomatic reflux episodes on acid suppressive therapy. Am J Gastroenterol 2008;103:1090-6.
Sharma N, Agrawal A, Freeman J, Vela MF, Castell DO. An analysis of persistent symptoms in acid suppressed patients undergoing impedance-pH monitoring. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2008;6:521-524.
Blonski W, Vela MF, Safder A, Hila A, Castell DO. Revised criterion for diagnosis of ineffective esophageal motility is associated with more frequent dysphagia and greater bolus transit abnormalities. Am J Gastroenterol 2008;103:699-704.
Blonski W, Vela MF, Hila A, Castell DO. Normal values for manometry performed with swallows of viscous test material. Scand J Gastroenterol 2008;43:155-160.
Vela MF. Can non-acid reflux cause heartburn? Current GERD Reports 2007;1:144-148.
Sierra F, Suarez M, Rey M, Vela MF. Proton Pump Inhibitor-Associated Acute Interstitial Nephritis: A Systematic Review. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2007;26:545-553.
Blonski W, Hila A, Jain V, Freeman J, Vela MF, Castell DO. Impedance-manometry with viscous test solution increases detection of esophageal function defects compared to liquid swallows. Scand J Gastroenterol 2007;42:917-922.
Vela MF, Richter JE, Khandwala F, Wachsberger D, Blackstone E, Baker M, Rice TW. The long-term efficacy of pneumatic dilation and heller myotomy in achalasia. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2006; 4:580-87.
Mainie I, Tutuian R, Shay S, Vela MF, Zhang X, Sifrim D, Castell DO. Acid and non-acid reflux in patients with persistent symptoms despite acid suppressive therapy. A multicentre study using combined ambulatory impedance-pH monitoring. Gut 2006;55:1398-402.
Vela MF, Richter JE, Wachsberger D, Connor J, Rice TW. The complexities of managing achalasia at a tertiary referral center: use of pneumatic dilation, heller myotomy and botulinum toxin injection. Am J Gastroenterol 2004;99:1029-36.
Guardino JM, Vela MF, Connor JT, Richter JE. Pneumatic dilation for the treatment of achalasia in untreated patients and patients with failed Heller myotomy. J Clin Gastroenterol 2004;38:855-60.
Srinivasan R, Tutuian R, Schoenfeld P, Vela MF, Castell JA, Isaac T, Galaria I, Katz PO, Castell DO. Profile of GERD in the Adult Population of a North East Urban Community. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2004;38:651-657.
Shay S, Tutuian R, Sifrim D, Vela MF, Wise J, Balaji N, Zhang X, Adhami T, Murray J, Peters J, Castell D. Twenty-four hour ambulatory simultaneous impedance and pH monitoring: a multicenter report of normal values from 60 healthy volunteers. Am J Gastroenterol 2004;99:1037-43.
Vela MF, Vaezi MF. Cost-assessment of alternative management strategies for achalasia. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2003;4:2019-2025.
Vela MF, Tutuian R, Katz PO, Castell DO. Baclofen reduces both acid and nonacid gastroesophageal reflux: a study using by combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH (MII/pH). Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2003;17:243-251.
Tutuian R, Vela MF, Balaji N, Wise J, J Murray, Peters J, Shay S, Castell DO. Esophageal function testing using combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and manometry. Multicenter study in healthy volunteers. Clinical Gastroenterology & Hepatology 2003; 1:174-182.
Tutuian R, Vela MF, Shay S, Castell DO. Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance (MII) in esophageal function testing and gastroesophageal reflux monitoring. J Clin Gastroenterol 2003;37:206-215.
Vela MF, Camacho-Lobato L, Srinivasan R, Tutuian R, Katz PO, Castell DO. Simultaneous intraesophageal impedance and pH measurement of acid and nonacid gastroesophageal reflux: effect of omeprazole. Gastroenterology 2001;120:1599-1606.
Castell DO, Vela MF. Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH-metry: an evolving technique to measure type and proximal extent of gastroesophageal reflux. Am J Med 2001;111:157S-159S.
Srinivasan R, Vela MF, Katz PO, Tutuian R, Castell JA, Castell DO. Esophageal Function Testing using Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2001;G457-G462.
Camacho- Lobato L, Katz PO, Eveland J, Vela MF, Castell DO. Vigorous Achalasia: original description requires minor change. J Clin Gastroenterol 2001;33:375-377.
Srinivasan R, R, Katz PO,. Ramakrishnan A, Katzka DA, Vela MF, Castell DO. Maximal acid reflux control for Barrett’s esophagus: feasible and effective. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2001;15:519-524.
Ramakrishnan A, Srinivasan R, Vela MF, Katz PO, Castell DO. Comparison of esophageal motility testing: results from university and community hospitals. Are standards for clinical practice needed? Practical Gastroenterology 2000;24:84-92.

Book chapters

1. Agrawal A, Vela MF. Esophageal function testing and Gastroesophageal Reflux Testing Using Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance. In “The Esophagus”. Castell DO, Richter JE. 5th Edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, in press.

2. Roberts J, Vela MF, Richter JE. Treatment of esophageal motility disorders: achalasia and spastic motor disorders. In “Evidence Based Gastroenterology and Hepatology”. 3rd Edition. A Burroughs, B Feagan, J McDonald. Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.

3. Agrawal A, Sharma N, MF Vela MF. The Pathophysiology of Extraesopahgeal Reflux Disease. In “Extraesophageal Reflux”, M. Vaezi. Plural Publishing, 2009.

4. Vaezi MF, Vela MF. The role of Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance and pH (MII-pH) Monitoring in the Diagnosis of GERD. In “US Gastroenterology Review”, A. Sancha. Touch Briefings, 2007; issue II: pages 75-77.

5. Vela MF, Vaezi MF. Advances in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. In “The year in Gastroenterology and Hepatology”. 1st Edition. N Zein, B Lashner. Clinical Publishing, 2005.

6. Vela MF, Richter JE. Treatment of esophageal motility disorders: achalasia and spastic motor disorders. In “Evidence Based Gastroenterology and Hepatology”. 2nd Edition. A Burroughs, B Feagan, J McDonald. BMJ Books, 2004.

7. Vela MF, Vaezi MF. Pathophysiology of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
In “Hot Topics in GERD and Dyspepsia”. R Fass. Hanley & Belfus, 2004.

8. Tutuian R, Vela MF, Shay S. Esophageal function testing and Gastroesophageal Reflux Testing Using Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance. In “The Esophagus”. Castell DO, Richter JE. 4th Edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2004.

9. Vela MF, Castell DO. Multichannel intraluminal impedance recording to measure esophageal function and gastroesophageal reflux. In “Esophageal motility and pH testing”. D Castell, L Diederich, J Castell. 3rd Edition. Sandhill Scientific, 2001