Oscillatory blood flow and vein valve health to prevent clots
Official title: Mechanistic Evaluation of Oscillatory Shear Stress in Venous Physiology and Deep Vein Thrombosis Prevention
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11448544 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at understanding how the natural rhythmic blood flow in leg veins protects against clots and whether restoring that flow can prevent dangerous vein clots in hospitalized patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $768,128 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL181429-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11448544 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with venous thromboembolism risk or related vein disorders are potential beneficiaries in future translational steps; however, this grant itself uses animals and human tissue/imaging contexts rather than enrolling patients.
✕Less likely to help
The research does not involve enrolling patients in this phase, so direct patient participation is not part of the grant.
What this research studies
This project looks at why clots form in the deep veins of hospitalized patients and how the healthy vein valve lining stays anti-thrombotic. It will study the role of oscillatory shear stress, caused by muscle movement, in maintaining protective endothelial programs, and whether restoring this flow can prevent deep vein thrombosis. The team will use in vitro experiments, animal models, and approaches that mimic clinical scenarios to uncover mechanisms and test potential interventions. If successful, the work could point to new ways to reduce VTE risk during severe illness or trauma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If OSS restoration works, patients at high risk for DVT could benefit from strategies that reduce clotting without relying solely on medications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests the OSS-endothelial program is protective and can be altered in disease; this project tests restoration as a therapeutic concept.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hoofnagle, Mark Houston — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Hoofnagle, Mark Houston
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how DVT forms and heals to prevent vein scarring
This NIH grant supports a physician-scientist to study why deep vein clots form and how vein walls get scarred, with the goal of improving long-term outcomes for patients who develop DVT.
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A study at a university aims to see if shifting how certain blood cells use energy can stop leg clots from forming and help bodies clear clots faster, reducing future complications.
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This will try giving anti-inflammatory medicine around the affected vein to lower the chance of long-term swelling, pain, and skin problems after a deep vein clot (DVT).
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Understanding how blood clots in deep veins can lead to long-term complications
This study is looking into how deep vein thrombosis (DVT) affects healing and can lead to long-term problems like post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), with the goal of finding better treatments for people dealing with these issues.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.