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Richard Edward Moon

Professor of Anesthesiology
Anesthesiology, General, Vascular, High Risk Transplant & Critical Care
Box 3094 Med Ctr, Durham, NC
5676 Hafs Bldg, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Research interests include the study of cardiorespiratory function in humans during challenging clinical settings including the perioperative period, and exposure to environmental conditions such as diving and high altitude. Studies have included gas exchange during diving, the pathophysiology of high altitude and immersion pulmonary edema, the effect of anesthesia and postoperative analgesia on pulmonary function and monitoring of tissue oxygenation. Ongoing human studies include the effect of respiratory muscle training on chemosensitivity and blood gases during stressful breathing: underwater exercise.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Medical Director, Hyperbaric Center · 2006 - Present Anesthesiology, Clinical Science Departments
Professor of Medicine · 2007 - Present Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Medicine

In the News


Published July 8, 2019
Sildenafil: The Pulmonary Edema Wonder Drug
Published June 20, 2019
Swimming-Induced Pulmonary Edema in Triathletes
Published February 16, 2016
Study Suggests Sildenafil May Relieve Severe Form of Edema in Swimmers

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Recent Publications


Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Management of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

Journal Article Clin J Pain · April 1, 2025 OBJECTIVES: Complex regional pain syndrome remains a challenging condition characterized by severe, persistent pain and a variety of inflammatory and trophic symptoms. This study aimed to analyze the current literature to evaluate hyperbaric oxygen therapy ... Full text Link to item Cite

Elevation of spectral components of electrodermal activity precedes central nervous system oxygen toxicity symptoms in divers.

Journal Article Commun Med (Lond) · December 19, 2024 BACKGROUND: Oxygen-rich breathing mixtures up to 100% are used in some underwater diving operations for several reasons. Breathing elevated oxygen partial pressures (PO2) increases the risk of developing central nervous system oxygen toxicity (CNS-OT) whic ... Full text Link to item Cite

Does Heart Rate Variability Predict Impairment of Operational Performance in Divers?

Journal Article Sensors (Basel) · December 3, 2024 We examined data from Naval Sea Systems Command grant project N0463A-12-C-001, "Hypercapnia: cognitive effects and monitoring", with the objective of validating or repudiating heart rate variability (HRV) as a warning sign of cognitive impairment from divi ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Perfluoromethane as a Decompression Gas for Human Diving

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Naval Sea Systems Command · 2025 - 2030

Applied Physiology of CNS Oxygen Toxicity: Mechanisms in Humans

ResearchCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by Office of Naval Research · 2023 - 2026

Integrated Training in Anesthesiology Research

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1996 - 2026

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Education, Training & Certifications


McGill University (Canada) · 1973 M.D.