# The Impact of Thrombosis and Antithrombotic Therapy on Peripheral Artery Disease

> **NIH NIH K23** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2022 · $185,436

## Abstract

The applicant, Aaron W. Aday, MD, is an Instructor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at
Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The applicant's goal is to become an independent cardiovascular
investigator studying the thrombotic mechanisms underlying peripheral artery disease (PAD) development.
This application for a K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award describes a
focused plan for the applicant to acquire the research skills and expertise required to transition into an
independent investigator under the primary mentorship of Joshua A. Beckman, MD. The proposal centers on
the study of thrombosis and antithrombotic therapy in PAD.
PAD is a highly prevalent atherosclerotic disease associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity and
mortality. However, there remain notable gaps in our knowledge of the biologic pathways involved in PAD
development. Recent data suggest important contributions of thrombosis, through both coagulation cascade
activation and platelet activation, to the development of PAD. However, the mechanisms of thrombosis and
platelet activation contributing to PAD in humans are not fully known. The specific aims of the proposed
research are: (Aim 1) to quantify the risk conferred by activation of thrombotic pathways, in addition to
traditional cardiovascular risk factors, on PAD using Mendelian randomization; (Aim 2a) to test the hypothesis
that low-dose rivaroxaban, a clotting factor Xa inhibitor, improves macro- and microvascular endothelial
function in humans with PAD; and (Aim 2b) to test the hypothesis that low-dose rivaroxaban reduces PAR-1-
mediated platelet activation while also facilitating thrombolysis and reducing inflammation via downstream
signaling.
The candidate has a strong background in both clinical vascular genetics as well as epidemiology of PAD. The
proposed project will afford him new expertise in several key domains, including (1) genetic epidemiology and
Mendelian randomization methods, (2) design and implementation of clinical trials, (3) patient-oriented vascular
physiologic studies, and (4) translational investigations of thrombosis and platelet function. Vanderbilt
University Medical Center has an ideal environment to support the candidate's investigational career. He will
be supported by an outstanding mentorship team with extensive experience in clinical and translational
cardiovascular research. However, the proposal will also provide Dr. Aday the opportunity to develop into a
leading investigator with unique expertise in genetic epidemiology as well as mechanistic clinical trials focusing
on PAD. Data from the proposed studies will also serve as the basis for future mechanistic and interventional
studies (i.e. R01) of thrombosis in PAD. The support of this Career Development Award will provide Dr. Aday
with the tools necessary to lead his own independent clinical and translational research program.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10335863
- **Project number:** 5K23HL151871-02
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Aaron W. Aday
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $185,436
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-02-01 → 2026-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10335863

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10335863, The Impact of Thrombosis and Antithrombotic Therapy on Peripheral Artery Disease (5K23HL151871-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10335863. Licensed CC0.

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