Without doubt, bypass surgery saves lives. But sometimes the blood vessels grafted for the bypass start to close up. Patients need more intervention, or even repeat surgery.
One of our researchers is tracking down the cause.
‘This work can change lives. I'm just grateful the Foundation is there to help me pursue it.' – Ravinay Bhindi
No one fully knows why grafted arteries become blocked. You can help Dr Bhindi find the answers by donating today. Donate now
| Help for heart patients By understanding what causes plaque to build up, Dr Bhindi is aiming for treatments that reduce the chance of heart attack, angina and heart failure. ‘If we can find the key, I'm sure it will open other doors.' How does Dr Bhindi do his research? |
Bypass graft disease: a medical mystery
When plaque build-up in the arteries restricts blood flow to the heart, the answer is often bypass surgery. A patient's own vein or artery is grafted to the heart, creating a path around the blockage, and restoring normal blood flow.
But later, bypass graft disease occurs in a number of patients. Their grafted veins become narrowed, and once again blood flow is reduced.
The question is – why does this happen only to some patients? As a surgeon and a researcher, Ravinay Bhindi is ideally placed to study what happens in different people.
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That feeling was indeed narrowing of the arteries. But now it was affecting his ‘new' bypass arteries.
Dr Bhindi explained about bypass graft disease, and put stents in the problem arteries. ‘It was done before I knew it, and now I'm feeling 100% again. Right as rain.'
If our research succeeds, preventive treatment could transform the lives of people like Neville. |
Bypass, then stents
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Our researchers are applying the latest insights from molecular biology, and using imaging technology. The process is painstaking and expensive. It cannot be done without your support.
