Basic laboratory research is an integral part of the academic mission of the Division of Vascular Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. The scope of research involves bioengineering, molecular biology, gene therapy, methods of inhibiting new intimal hyperplasia and other aspects of vascular biology. As such, the research activities of the division continue to expand.

Both Dr. Edith Tzeng and Dr. David Vorp were successful in obtaining funding from the NIH for their ongoing research.

Dr. David Vorp and his research group have continued to focus their investigative efforts in the study of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) disease and the development of a biomechanics-based tool to evaluate AAA severity for the clinical prediction of rupture potential. Dr. Vorp and his lab have pioneered a model of AAA that includes intraluminal thrombus and incorporates an individual patient's physiologic parameters to produce a unique representation that can be used to visualize and quantitate areas of aneurismal stress. Work is in progress to validate this model and apply it to the prediction of an individual's risk if aneurysm rupture. Primary clinical collaboration for this work has been with Dr. Michel Makaroun and the rest of the staff of the Vascular Surgery Division.

In addition to his research activities, Dr. Vorp is involved with teaching and committee work within the Department of Bioengineering, where he holds a secondary academic appointment.

Dr. Edith Tzeng's extensive experience in basic research, gene transfer and the vascular effects of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) have greatly enhanced the Division of Vascular Surgery. She has been successful in obtaining NIH funding for her research, In addition to her advanced work in elucidating the mechanism of action of nitric oxide she also participated in a program grant application with other researchers. For this project she will spearhead a clinical trial which will use iNOS gene transfer for the first time in humans to control intimal hyperplasia in a dialysis graft model.

The clinical research unit has been growing considerably under the direction of Dr. Makaroun and consists of four research coordinators. Nita Missig-Carroll has been appointed as head of that unit to help organize the research effort of the group. We continue the exploration of less invasive ways to treat both abdominal aortic aneurysms and descending thoracic aortic aneurysms via endovascular methods. Gene therapy is being studied as a means to promote wound healing and a possible remedy for patients with claudication. Various oral medications are also being investigated for the treatment of claudication, deep venous thrombosis and infections. The clinical research has a strong and committed corporate sponsorship with a continual tide of projects to undertake.

Michel Makaroun, MD

Clinical Study of Endovascular Grafting System (EGS) in Treatment of AAA

A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo Controlled, Dose Response, Efficacy and Safety

A Clinical Study Comparing Use of the Bifurcated Excluder Endovascular Prosthesis to

A Twelve Week Randomized Double Blind Multicenter Study of the Safety and Efficacy of

Prospective Study of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), Patient, Characteristics, Diaagnosis

A 24-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind Study of the Effects of Pletal Versus Trental and Placebo Administered Orally to Patients with Intermittend Claudication Secondary to Peripheral Arterial Disease

Robert Rhee, MD

The Effect of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) Gene Transfer on Vein Graft Intimal Hyperplasia.

Techniques of Laparoscopic Aortic Reconstruction and Minimially Invasive Aortic Surgery

Assess the Safety and Efficacy of VGEF (NO gene therapy) in Peripheral Vascular Disease Patients with Severe, Disabling Intermittant Claudication

Endovascular treatment of thoracic aneurysms

The Use of Hemoglobin substitutes for Avoidance or Reduction of Perioperative Blood Transfusions during AAA repair

David Steed, MD

PAD Awareness Risk and Treatment New Resources for Survival

Clinical Evaluation of Recombinant Human Platelet Derived Growth Factor - BBB for

Evlauation of r-TGF-B2 in a

Safety Study of Oral Illoprost Administered for Six Months PAOD

A Prospective Multicenter Open Label Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of

A Prospective Multicenter Randomized Single Masked Controlled Clinical

A Randomized Double Blind Parallel Group Placebo Controlled Multicenter Study

Edith Tzeng, MD

Blocking Intimal Hyperplasia Following Vascular Disease

David Vorp, PhD

Bioengineering Studies of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Growth Factor Mediation of Healing of Vascular Grafts

A Non-Invasive Method to Compute In-Vivo Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Wall Tesnions

Three Dimensional Recontrsuction of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Assessing the Permeability of Intraluminal Thrombus from Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms of

Use of Physiologic Biomechanical Forces to Optimize Development of a

Tissue Strengthening Treatment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Biomechanical Studies of Intraluminal

Development of a Bioengineering-Based Clinical Tool for the Evaluation of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm