Grant: Operating Grant

Placement of a stent is an effective way to unblock clogged arteries. However, this procedure can sometimes result in damage to the artery and promote growth of cells that eventually re-block the artery. In part to reduce this problem, most stents currently in use release drugs that act to inhibit the growth and movement of the cells that might block the artery. Although this approach can reduce this problem, it also can promote the formation of blood clots on the stents, a process called in-stent thrombosis. Thrombosis on the stent is often fatal since it can spread to the heart to cause a heart attack, or to the brain and cause a stroke. Our work aims to uncover new methods of inhibiting artery re-blockage after stenting that will not promote clotting.