Research group Translational vascular surgery

Aims

• Translational vascular surgery

  • Personalized Antithrombotic Therapy in PAD:
    ntithrombotic therapy in PAD patients can be optimized by tailoring treatment based on genetic markers. CYP2C19-guided therapy helps to select the most effective and safest antithrombotic regimen, reducing the risk of thrombotic and bleeding complications.
    • GENPAD study (NCT04619927): "Genotype-Guided Antithrombotic Therapy in Peripheral Artery Disease" - Evaluating CYP2C19-guided therapy and individualized antithrombotic regimens.
    • Thrombo-inflammation research: Studying post-COVID vascular dysfunction and inflammatory-driven thrombosis. This research aims to improve our understanding of disease mechanisms in other vascular conditions, potentially leading to novel therapeutic targets.
  • Microrobotics for Vascular Interventions:
    Magnetic microrobots are remotely controlled using external magnetic fields, allowing for precise navigation through blood vessels without the need for tethered systems. These small-scale robots offer novel solutions for minimally invasive vascular interventions, including clot retrieval, targeted radiation, and localized drug delivery.
    • WCR (Wireless Clot Retriever): Magnetic control for thrombus retrieval.
    • RUMAR (Radioactive Untethered Magnetic Robot): Targeted radiation therapy in vascular lesions.
    • UMR (Untethered Magnetic Robot): Biodegradable microrobots for local drug delivery.
  • Conservative Management of Aortic Aneurysms:
    Not all patients with aortic aneurysms require immediate surgical intervention. Conservative management focuses on risk assessment, lifestyle modifications, and medical therapy to slow aneurysm progression and improve patient outcomes.
    • Optimizing patient selection: Risk stratification for complex aortic repair.
    • CATCH study: Conservative Aortic aneurysm Treatment and Comprehensive Health program (CATCH) in patients with small abdominal aortic aneurysms.

• Perioperative care

  • Low-Pressure Pneumoperitoneum in Laparoscopic Surgery:
    Since 2011, our research group has conducted multiple RCTs (LEOPARD, RECOVER studies) on evaluated low-pressure pneumoperitoneum. Our recent systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed its benefits in improving postoperative outcomes after laparoscopic surgery. We recently published a systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrating that low-pressure pneumoperitoneum improves patient outcomes after laparoscopic surgery.
    • Key-paper: Reijnders-Boerboom GTJA, Albers KI, Jacobs LMC, Helden EV, Rosman C, Díaz-Cambronero O, Mazzinari G, Scheffer GJ, Keijzer C, Warlé MC. Low intra-abdominal pressure in laparoscopic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Surg. 2023 May 1;109(5):1400-1411. doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000000289. PMID: 37026807; PMCID: PMC10389627.
  • Deep Neuromuscular Blockade:
    We conducted the RELAX and EURO-RELAX studies to assess the impact of deep neuromuscular blockade on surgical conditions and intraoperative safety in laparoscopic surgery. These studies explore how optimized neuromuscular blockade can improve visibility, reduce intraoperative complications, and enhance postoperative recovery. The results of the EURO-RELAX study will be published soon.
  • Innate Immune Function and Postoperative Infections:
    Multiple clinical studies have investigated the innate immune response, with a focus on the role of monocytes. Postoperative innate immune dysregulation is studied in relation to infectious complications, with the potential to identify new therapeutic targets.

Publications

See the publication list of the research group leader on Web of Science.