Overview
This is a translational and patient-centric research program led by Dr. Roy-Chaudhury that is focused on uremic vascular biology, both in the context of dialysis vascular access dysfunction and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage renal disease (ESRD; dialysis and transplantation).
Vision and Mission
The goal of the Arizona Kidney and Vascular Center is to identify and explore mechanistic pathways that are involved in the pathogenesis of both dialysis vascular access dysfunction and uremic cardiovascular disease in patients with CKD and ESRD, and to then use this information to further a precision medicine approach to this problem (biomarkers; risk stratification and novel therapies).
We aim to achieve this goal through the use of (a) large and small animal models of arteriovenous fistula (AVF), arteriovenous graft (AVG) and tunneled dialysis catheter (TDC) dysfunction (including kidney failure models) (b) human blood and tissue from CKD and ESRD patients undergoing a vascular access or other procedure (c) a robust clinical research program and (d) linkages to clinical care.
Ongoing projects
- Elucidation of the mechanistic pathways involved in vascular access dysfunction using a mouse model of AVF stenosis in genetically modified mice
- Documentation of the interactions between hemodynamic stress and vascular stenosis using pig models of AVF stenosis
- Analysis of blood and tissue samples from CKD and ESRD patients to better understand the role of uremic vascular biology in both vascular access dysfunction and cardiovascular complications in these patients
- Development of novel devices and intellectual property to improve the care of patients with vascular access dysfunction
- Active participation in over 15 NIH, industry sponsored and investigator initiated clinical research projects and clinical trials in the areas of dialysis access dysfunction, cardiovascular morbidity, CKD progression and hemodialysis
Academic Community Partnerships: We have developed strong links with community nephrologists for education, research and clinical care. This is a key aspect of the Arizona Kidney and Vascular Center.
Academic-Industry Partnerships: We interact with a number of industry partners to test out novel and innovative technologies.
Academic-DCI Partnerships: We are in he process of developing links with our dialysis provider DCI for clinical and process of care research
Clinical Correlations
We have strong relationships with the clinical nephrology enterprise at the University of Arizona (Dr. Roy-Chaudhury is the Division Director of Nephrology) and members of the laboratory and students have ample opportunities for clinical shadowing and observation of procedures that include dialysis access creation, endovascular interventions, hemodialysis and kidney transplantation.
Research Funding
This research program is funded through the NIH, Veterans Administration, National Science Foundation and Industry grants and contracts.