Dr. Hnatov studies treatments for patients experiencing severe complications, particularly those related to knee pain after surgery and critical limb ischemia, a condition where blood flow to the legs is restricted due to obstructions. For knee pain, his research includes a technique called genicular artery embolization (GAE) which has shown promising results in reducing pain for patients who continue to suffer after total knee arthroplasty surgery. In addition, he has worked on treating complex blockages in leg arteries using advanced tools like the Phoenix Atherectomy System to restore blood flow effectively. His research also involves improving imaging techniques for prostate cancer treatment to enhance the accuracy of radiation therapy.
Key findings
In a study on genicular artery embolization, over 64% of 37 patients reported at least a 50% reduction in knee pain after the procedure.
In treating critical limb ischemia with the Phoenix Atherectomy System, there were no complications or deaths during the procedures conducted on two patients.
A technique using thin-plate splines improved imaging accuracy for prostate cancer treatment, achieving a 97% accuracy rate in correcting distortions during scans.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Hnatov study knee pain treatments?
Yes, Dr. Hnatov researches treatments for knee pain, particularly using genicular artery embolization for patients struggling after knee replacement surgery.
What conditions has Dr. Hnatov investigated?
He has looked into chronic knee pain, critical limb ischemia, and imaging improvements for prostate cancer treatments.
Is Dr. Hnatov's work relevant to patients with leg artery blockages?
Absolutely, his research specifically addresses ways to treat patients with difficult-to-treat blockages caused by critical limb ischemia.
Publications in plain English
Genicular Artery Embolization as a Treatment Option for Refractory Knee Pain Post Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Series.
2026
Cardiovascular and interventional radiology
Konduru N, Hnatov A, Joshua SP, Metry M, Singh H +1 more
Plain English This study looked at a treatment called genicular artery embolization (GAE) to help reduce knee pain in patients who still had pain more than a year after knee replacement surgery (total knee arthroplasty). Out of 37 patients, over 64% experienced at least a 50% reduction in pain after the procedure, with their reported pain levels improving significantly over three months. This is important because many people suffer from chronic pain after knee surgery, and GAE could offer them much-needed relief.
Who this helps: This helps patients struggling with ongoing knee pain after knee replacement surgery.
Crossing complex infrapopliteal lesions utilizing a front-end cutting technique: A report of two cases with a novel rotational atherectomy device.
2023
SAGE open medical case reports
Rao S, Hnatov A, Tarra T, Amparo A, Bhargava M
Plain English This study looked at two patients with critical limb ischemia, a severe condition where blood flow is restricted to the legs due to complex, calcified blockages. The patients underwent treatment using the 1.5 mm Phoenix Atherectomy System after previous attempts to clear the blockages had failed. The device successfully made the blockages easier to treat, allowing normal blood flow to return without any complications or deaths occurring during the procedure.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients with critical limb ischemia who face difficult-to-treat blockages in their leg arteries.
A feasibility study to investigate the use of thin-plate splines to account for prostate deformation.
2005
Physics in medicine and biology
Venugopal N, McCurdy B, Hnatov A, Dubey A
Plain English This study looked at how to improve imaging of the prostate during radiation therapy by correcting for distortions caused by a device used during scans. Researchers found that their new technique can fix these distortions with a high accuracy rate of 97%, which is just a 4 cm³ difference from the actual prostate size. This is important because accurate imaging helps doctors plan better treatment for prostate cancer patients.
Who this helps: Patients undergoing radiation therapy for prostate cancer.
Induction of the DNA-binding and transcriptional activities of heat shock factor 1 is uncoupled in Xenopus oocytes.
1998
Biochimica et biophysica acta
Bharadwaj S, Hnatov A, Ali A, Ovsenek N
Plain English This study looked at how a protein called heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) responds to different stressors in frog eggs (Xenopus oocytes). Researchers found that while several chemical stresses like cadmium and arsenite can activate HSF1's ability to bind to DNA, not all stressors trigger this process to result in producing protective proteins, indicating that the process is not straightforward. For instance, even though HSF1 could bind to DNA after exposure to some chemicals, it did not always lead to the necessary production of stress response proteins.
Who this helps: This research benefits scientists studying stress responses in cells and may help inform treatments for conditions related to stress in human cells.
Distinct stress-inducible and developmentally regulated heat shock transcription factors in Xenopus oocytes.
1997
Developmental biology
Gordon S, Bharadwaj S, Hnatov A, Ali A, Ovsenek N
Plain English This study looked at how certain proteins respond to stress in frog eggs, specifically focusing on heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) that help the eggs cope with stress. The researchers found that when these eggs were exposed to heat or chemicals, a specific stress-responsive protein complex formed, which was linked to an increase in heat shock protein production. They discovered that one key protein, which is similar to a human version called HSF1, was active throughout the development of the eggs and that a different, unusual complex was present early on but went away in later stages.
Who this helps: This research benefits biologists and scientists studying stress responses in cells, as well as improving our understanding of egg development in certain animal models.