Dr. Lee's research interests include alternatives to coronary artery bypass for ischemic heart disease using gene therapy with viral vectors to transfect myocardial cells and ?reprogramming? them to create new blood vessels as well as utilizing laser technology for Transmyocardial Laser revascularization or TMR. This research has culminated in several clinical trials for both of these modalities that have been published in peer-reviewed journals. Research in these areas is on going.

Dr. Lee has also had great interest in blood conservation in cardiac surgery, working with groups such as Jehovah?s Witnesses to avoid transfusion of blood or blood products before, during, or after these operations. Using a multidisciplinary approach working with hematology, pharmacy, and ethics departments maximizes patient benefit and surgical outcomes. He has written substantially on the subject with several book chapters dedicated to this topic.

Other areas of clinical interest include minimally invasive approaches to cardiac surgical procedures, pulmonary hypertension and the use of new drugs to reduce cost while maximizing patient benefit, and multi-valve repair.