Meet Research Grant Winner, Dr. Kutikhin

A leading team of scientists at Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases was awarded one of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research grants for evaluating the interactions between coronary artery and internal mammary artery endothelial cells to determine the feasibility of using arterial grafts for coronary artery bypass grafting

The Expert Panel ranked the project, led by Dr. Kutikhin, PhD, the Head of the Laboratory of Basic Mechanisms of Atherosclerosis, of the first priority and the highest quality. The project is receiving 3.000.000 RUB financial support for 2019-2021.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)reestablishes sufficient blood flow to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. The choice of the optimal graft is crucial for CABG success. The bypass grafts are commonly harvested from the arteries and veins, particularly the great saphenous vein. However, arterial grafts harvested from the internal mammary artery may improve patients’ outcomes in the long-term follow-up.

The project team is focused on determining the feasibility of using arterial grafts for coronary artery bypass grafting.

“We use a practice-to-theory approach in this project, since its hypothesis was formulated together with the cardiac surgeons – said Dr. Kutikhin, the PI of the Project. – Despite vein grafts are commonly used in the routine clinical practice, arterials grafts are non-inferior for coronary artery bypass grafting. Arterial grafting improves hemostasis in the graft-artery complex and minimizes the risk of recurrent angina, thereby ensuring better quality of life and reducing the risk of repeat surgery”.

Year 1 Project includes the purchasing of primary human endothelial cell cultures, culture media and specialized cultivation chambers, antibodies and other supplies necessary for experimental studies. The project team is going to provide new insights into the interactions between coronary artery and internal mammary artery endothelial cells in comparison to those with the great saphenous vein and determine any possible underlying molecular mechanisms.