An estimated 700,000 sternotomies are performed annually in the United States. It is a serious surgery that opens up the chest cavity through the breastbone, or sternum, to gain access to the lungs and heart. A sternotomy procedure is done in advance of other procedures like coronary artery bypass surgery, aortic valve repair and replacement, [...]
For Michael Miskovich, an active 25-year-old, fitness is more than a hobby, it is his way of life. From mixed martial arts (MMA) and kickboxing to rigorous weightlifting, he pushes his body to the limit. But in December 2024, a slight shoulder tightness quickly took a serious turn, revealing a blood clot and a Thoracic [...]
For 27-year-old Rachael Boyle, heart health was a familiar topic. Her younger brother had experienced heart problems as a teenager, but she had always been healthy. That all changed when she fell ill in April 2024. The First Signs As Rachael wrapped up her spring semester at the University of Texas, she started experiencing persistent [...]
As one of our board certified vascular surgeons, Dr. Nicolas Zea performs a variety of complex procedures, and his dedication to patient care and service is exceptional. What you might not know about him is that he is also an avid adventurer, running ultra marathons and traveling far and wide to embark on trail run [...]
If you never experienced symptoms of heart trouble and were in excellent shape, would you think to visit a cardiologist? What if you had a family history of cardiovascular disease – would you change your mind? For CTVS patient Chad Benestante, these questions hit close to home. Chad is a very active, fit and generally [...]
CTVS patient, William Penny, shared his aortic dissection story with Nicole Villalpando from the Austin American Statesman to help raise awareness about heart health during American Heart Month. You can read his story below or find it on the Austin American Statesman website here. Will Penny and his wife were going for a run on [...]
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons is proud to share that several of our physicians received important accolades closing out 2024 and ushering in 2025. For several years, our team of cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons has been humbled to receive recognition as Texas Monthly Super Doctors and Austin Monthly Top Doctors. Since the practice opened as one [...]
An aortic dissection is a very serious, often times fatal, condition that takes place when the inner layers of the aorta (the body’s largest artery) weaken and tear causing blood to “dissect” the aorta into a false lumen & true lumen (very much like a double barrel shotgun). This can affect the entireity of the [...]
CTVS patient, Cherith Satterfield, shared her lung cancer story with Nicole Villalpando from the Austin American Statesman to help raise awareness about the increase in lung cancer cases in young adults. You can read her story below or find it on the Austin American Statesman website here. Every time Cherith Satterfield took a deep breath, [...]
While constant, biting cold weather in the winter months is not typically common in Central Texas, we do get a few snaps of extreme temperatures that send the mercury diving down. Sudden extreme turns in the weather can take a toll on your health, especially your cardiovascular health. Colder weather can cause blood vessels to [...]
