Richard J. Schwab, M.D.

Associate Professor of Medicine
Co-Director, Penn Sleep Center at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center

University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Division/Sleep Medicine Division
3624 Market Street, Suite 205
Philadelphia, PA 19104
tel.: (215) 349-5477
fax: (215) 615-4874

e-mail: rschwab@mail.med.upenn.edu

Education:

• MD: University of Pennsylvania
• Residency: Thomas Jefferson University
• Fellowship: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Schwab's research has focused on the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea utilizing novel upper airway imaging techniques. The focus of his research is to understand the mechanisms leading to sleep apnea by evaluating the structure and function of the upper airway using physiologic imaging techniques. His studies have begun to elucidate the role of the motion of key structures of the upper airway in mediating airway closure. By examining dynamic state related changes in the upper airway and soft tissue structures surrounding the upper airway he has begun to understand the biomechanics of apneic events. He has studied patients with both magnetic resonance imaging and electronic beam computed tomography during wakefulness and sleep. Several novel findings have resulted from these studies: 1) the anatomic significance of the lateral pharyngeal walls in mediating airway caliber in normals and apneics; and 2) the characterization of the changes in upper airway caliber during the respiratory cycle and the importance of end-expiratory airway narrowing.

Dr Schwab collaborates closely with members of the Departments of Radiology and Biomechanical and Computer Engineering. They have developed state-of-the- art, computer graphics-based analysis software to help model in three dimensions the biomechanical interrelationships between the soft tissue structures and the upper airway. They have multiple Sun workstations dedicated to three dimensional image analysis. Utilizing these techniques Dr Schwab and his colleagues plan to develop a biomechanical model of the upper airway.

Presently, Dr. Schwab leads the Pulmonary Imaging Center in its investigation of the upper airway.

Brennick MJ, Schwab RJ, Ko K, Kim E, Pickup S, Pack AI: Pharyngeal Tissue and Regional Body Fat Volumes. Am J Respir Crit Care Med (Submitted).

Bhat R, Kline NS, Nkwuo E, Schwab RJ: Analysis of Upper Airway Anatomical Risk Factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Using Digital Morphometrics. Sleep (Submitted).

Kim EJ, Goldberg AN, Schwab RJ: Quantitative Evaluation and Comparison of the Upper Airway in Normal and Sleep Apneic Subjects During Nasopharyngoscopy with the Müller Manuever. Annals of Otorhinolaryngology (Submitted).

Weinhouse GL, Schwab RJ: Sleep in the critically ill patient. Sleep Vol. 29: 707-716, 2006.

Schwab RJ, Pierson R, Pasirstein M, Kaplan L, Mackley A, Arens R, Maislin G, Pack AI: Family aggregation of upper airway soft tissue structures in normals and patients with sleep apnea. Am J Respir Crit Care Med Vol. 173: 453-463, 2006.

Pien G, Fife D., Pack AI, Nkwuo JE, Schwab RJ: Changes in symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing during pregnancy. Sleep Vol. 28: 1299-1305, 2005.

Schwab RJ: Genetic determinants of upper airway structure. Respir Physiol Neurobiol Vol. 147: 289-298, 2005.

Schiffman PH, Rubin, NK, Dominguez T, Mahboubi S, Udupa, JK, O’Donnell AR, McDonough JM, Maislin, G, Schwab, RJ, Arens R. Mandibular dimensions in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Sleep 27, 959-965, 2004.

Schwab RJ, Pasirstein M, Pierson R, Mackley A, Arens R, Maislin G, Pack AI. Identification of upper airway anatomic risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea with volumetric MRI. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 168; 522-530, 2003.

Welch KC, Foster GD, Ritter CT, Schellenberg JB, Wadden TA, Arens R, Maislin G, Schwab RJ. A novel volumetric magnetic resonance imaging paradigm to study upper airway anatomy. Sleep 25; 532-542, 2002.

Schwab, RJ. Sleepiness, Control of Ventilation and Sleep Disordered Breathing. In: Compendium on Pulmonary Diseases, Fishman AP (ed), McGraw-Hill Company, New York, 563-573, 2002.
Schwab, RJ, Arens R, Ritter C. Upper Airway Imaging in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. In: Sleep Medicine, Lee-Chiong T, Carskadon M, Sateia M, (eds) Hanley & Belfus, Philadelphia, 365-387, 2002