CODA Vascular Initiative
What is the CODA Vascular Initiative?
The CODA Vascular Initiative is an integrated research program investigating venous and microvascular blood flow abnormalities, inflammation, and impaired oxygen delivery across complex chronic disorders.
CODA is building the scientific evidence needed to identify new treatments and move promising approaches into clinical trials
Chair: Professor Resia Pretorius
Professor and Vice-Dean: Research and Postgraduate Students
Professor Resia Pretorius is an internationally recognized researcher whose work has helped identify abnormal blood clotting, persistent inflammatory proteins, and microvascular dysfunction as important features of Long COVID and related neuroimmune conditions. Her peer-reviewed research has documented abnormal, fibrinolysis-resistant fibrinaloid microclots, hyperactivated platelets and endothelial inflammation across these conditions, findings that form the scientific foundation for the CODA Vascular Initiative.
What is Vascular Dysfunction?
Vascular dysfunction refers to problems in how blood flows through the body's veins and smallest blood vessels, and how it returns to the heart. These disruptions may impair oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues and contribute to inflammation.
Research has identified fibrinaloid microclot complexes (FMCs), amyloid-like fibrin aggregates resistant to normal breakdown; hyperactivated platelets, and inflammation of the blood vessel lining in people with Long COVID, ME/CFS, and other complex chronic disorders. Together, these changes may impair blood flow, reduce oxygen delivery, and contribute to many of the symptoms patients experience.
The Wide-Ranging Impact of Vascular Dysfunction
Vascular problems can influence multiple systems and contribute to a wide range of symptoms. The CODA Vascular Initiative aims to look at all factors that may contribute to disruption in biological mechanisms, commonly reported symptoms, and where the impact of the dysfunction may spread.
About the CODA Vascular Research Initiative
This program will integrate vascular biology, immunology, and clinical research to build a fuller picture of venous and microvascular blood flow problems in Long COVID, ME/CFS, and related neuroimmune conditions. Building on this foundation, the program aims to launch therapeutic clinical trials designed to evaluate three investigational approaches.
Research Priorities for Therapeutic Development
Each proposed trial arm will evaluate how these interventions may affect symptoms, immune function, circulation, and overall health over time.