Ulka Sachdev, MD at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has been chosen as the 2009 Wylie Scholar. Dr. Ulka Sachdev's research involves understanding the mechanisms that promote blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) and developing new therapies for people suffering from peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and critical limb ischemia (CLI).
PAD, a vascular disease that affects approximately ten million Americans, develops when arteries become clogged with fatty deposits (plaque) that limit blood flow. In the legs, the advanced stages of PAD can lead to CLI, in which the blockage is so severe that the legs and feet do not receive blood, resulting in painful sores and even gangrene (dead tissue). If left untreated, CLI can lead to amputation of the limb. In fact, there are approximately 150,000 amputations in the U.S. each year because of CLI.
To treat PAD and CLI, doctors and researchers are looking toward angiogenesis. But the processes involved in angiogenesis are complex and poorly understood. Dr. Sachdev hopes to unravel theses mysteries and develop new treatments to reduce disability and death from PAD and CLI.
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