Education

• Clinical Professor-Cardiology, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine
• BS 1982 University of Wisconsin
• DVM 1987 University of Wisconsin

• Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, The Animal Medical Center, New York, NY

• Cardiology Residency, The Ohio State University
• MS 1991, The Ohio State University
• Diplomate ACVIM (Cardiology), 1991

Research

Investigations of naturally occurring mitral valve disease in whippets.  Epidemiology and diagnosis of systemic hypertension in dogs and cats. Cardiac effects of systemic illness. Clinical research design.

Responsibilities

Cardiovascular medicine: 3rd year students. Clinical cardiopulmonary medicine: 4th year students. Veterinary medical ethics: course coordinator and instructor, 1st-3rd year students. Cardiology residency supervisor.

Clinical Interests

Use of echocardiography and Doppler-echocardiography to diagnose and monitor patients with naturally-occurring heart disease. Development and testing of accurate blood pressure measurement methods in patients with naturally-occurring disease.

Recent Publications

Stepien RL, Rapoport GS, Henik RA, Wenholz L, Thomas CB. Comparative diagnostic test characteristics of oscillometric and Doppler ultrasonographic methods in the detection of systolic hypertension in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2003 Jan-Feb;17(1):65-72.

Steele JS, Henik RA, Stepien RL. Effects of ACE-inhibition on blood pressure and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in cats with hypertension associated with chronic renal disease. Vet Therap 3(2):157-166, 2002.

Moore KW, Stepien RL. Hydroxyurea for treatment of polycythemia secondary to right-to-left shunting patent ductus arteriou in four dogs. J Vet Intern Med 15:418-421, 2001.

Kidd L, Stepien RL, Amrheim DP. Clinical findings and coronary artery disease in dogs and cats with acute and subacute myocardial necrosis: 28 cases. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 36(3):199-208, 2000.

Stepien RL, Whitley NT, Dubielzig RR. Idiopathic or mesothelioma-related pericardial effusion: clinical findings and survival in 17 dogs studied retrospectively. J Small Anim Pract. 41(8):342-347, 2000.

Stepien RL, Rapoport GS. Clinical comparison of three methods to measure blood pressure in nonsedated dogs. J Am Med Assoc 215(11):1623-1628, 1999.