Dr. Thomas Mavrakanas
Assistant Professor - Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine
My research focuses on the causes of and treatments for cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure. I have significant expertise in designing pharmacokinetic or observational studies and using large administrative datasets. I was also the first scientist to study the pharmacokinetics of apixaban, a direct oral anticoagulant, at steady state in patients on maintenance dialysis. My work aims to optimize management of patients with chronic kidney and cardiovascular disease in order to prevent occurrence of myocardial infarction, stroke, or admission for heart failure, as well as to slow down CKD progression to kidney failure.
1. Renin-angiotensin aldosterone blockade in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. This is a retrospective cohort study using the United States Renal Data System database.
2. Diuretic resistance in patients with acutely decompensated congestive heart failure and moderate or advanced chronic kidney disease. This prospective cohort study will investigate the diuretic effect of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors in addition to loop diuretics in hypervolemic patients with acutely decompensated heart failure, moderate to advanced chronic kidney disease, and underlying diuretic resistance.
3. Novel antiplatelet strategies among patients with chronic kidney disease. This meta-analysis will assess the effect of early discontinuation of aspirin compared with standard 12-month dual antiplatelet therapy on major bleeding and major adverse cardiovascular events at 12 months among patients with chronic kidney disease who receive a drug-eluting stent.