George Wesbey, MD, joined Scripps in 1987 and is the founder of the cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) programs at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla and Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas. Dr. Wesbey is a pioneer in the field of cardiovascular magnetic resonance, publishing research focusing on the use of this technology and contrast agents. He first-authored seminal publications on detection of heart attack (myocardial infarction), including detection by delayed enhancement.
Working at the Contrast Media Lab at UCSF, he was senior author on the first publication on contrast agent use in MRI. This work has been cited over 1,400 times in medical literature, and is ranked as the most frequently cited manuscript in the history of the American Journal of Roentgenology. Additionally, it is one of the most frequently cited publications in the field of radiology. His current research in cardiac CT focuses on using ultra-low radiation doses to detect coronary artery disease using CT-fractional flow reserve.
He is a member of multiple professional societies, including the Society of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, Radiological Society of North America and the American Roentgen Ray Society.
