Lifesaving surgery and research

Ravinay Bhindi is an interventional cardiologist and treats many patients, some with bypass graft disease.

He is ideally placed to see how this disease behaves in different people. So far, the cause remains unknown.

Focus on plaque

Treating patients is an excellent research opportunity.

• With his patient's permission, Dr Bhindi inserts an imaging wire to photograph the inside of the vein graft.
• After an angiogram (x-ray of the blood vessels), he takes a sample of plaque (also known as atheroma). This substance makes the arteries narrower, so the heart has to work harder to pump blood through them.
• He uses molecular biology to analyse the plaque. This would have been impossible just a few years ago. It's happening now because of advances in technology.

You can help Dr Bhindi find treatments for bypass graft disease: donate now.

Bypass: grafting a new pathway

A bypass is an option when a build-up of plaque in blood vessels restricts blood flow to the heart. A vein or artery from the patient is grafted onto the heart, making a new route to the heart.

What is bypass graft disease?

This occurs in a number of people about 10-15 years after surgery: the grafted artery itself becomes blocked. But the plaque is different and it builds up more quickly than expected. Patients need drug treatment, stents, or a repeat bypass.

How close is Dr Bhindi to finding the answer?

It is uncertain, but he does know there is more than just one answer. The heart is like a jigsaw puzzle, with pieces that fit together differently for each person. His work is helping us understand more pieces of the puzzle, so treatments can be tailored to each person's needs and biology.