About 50% of patients who have vein grafts for blocked arteries experience further blockage after 10 years.

Interventional Cardiologist Ravinay Bhindi is investigating the disease process that causes veins grafted during bypass surgery to block off after ten years in 50% of cases.

This knowledge may potentially lead to treatments to prevent it and increase the life expectancy of bypass surgery patients. It may also reduce the risks involved for those who need surgery later on.

The project utilises a special imaging modality – optical coherence tomography, which allows high resolution imaging of the vessel wall. The feasibility of using this technique has been established and data is being acquired.

The results could lead to preventive treatment, which would increase patients' life expectancy and reduce the need for repeat surgery.

Project title: Characterising plaque instability in by-pass vein graft atherosclerosis

Investigators: Dr Ravinay Bhindi, Dr Gemma Figtree, Dr Michael Ward

Funded since: 2009