Increase could benefit vascular research
WASHINGTON, DC – As a result of the advocacy efforts of the SVS and other health specialties, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) will receive an 8.8 percent funding increase for 2019 from a Defense, Labor, HHS (Health and Human Services) and Education Appropriations bill that was passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump Sept. 28.
The $852 billion package includes $3,490,171,000 for NHLBI in fiscal year 2019 – an increase of nearly $220 million for the institute over 2018 funding levels.
“We in the vascular surgery community are so delighted to hear of the increased NHLBI funding,” said Dr. Alan Dardik, former chair of the SVS Research Council. “This will hopefully translate into higher funding paylines and increased ability of vascular surgeon-scientists to compete for R01 awards. Since vascular surgeon-scientists typically live in the world of translating research from bench to bedside, increased NHLBI funding may actually accomplish its stated mission – that is, improving the lives of patients with vascular disease.”
The NHLBI primarily invests in medical research related to heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders. It supports researchers – including some SVS members – at more than 520 research institutions.
As an example, the NHLBI provides funds for the BEST-CLI research project, which is a large, randomized trial that aims to determine the efficacy of open versus endovascular procedures in treatment of critical limb ischemia.
NHLBI is the institute that funds most of the research performed by vascular surgeon-scientists who frequently perform basic, translational and clinical research focusing on improving care for patients with vascular disease, Dr. Dardik noted. This legislation represents the first time Congress has passed an HHS appropriations bill in regular order since 2007.