The mitral valve is a major part of the heart situated between the lungs and the left ventricle. It helps to regulate blood flow and ensure that it moves in the right direction throughout the body. If it becomes leaky (mitral valve regurgitation) or too narrow (mitral valve stenosis), it may need repair or replacement [...]
Having the flu may have saved former Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell's life last spring. Because of his severe symptoms, he had a chest X-ray so doctors could take a closer look into his lungs. That's when they discovered what's called a thoracic aortic aneurysm (or TAA). A TAA is a bulge that develops in the [...]
The start of the new year is a great time to prioritize your health. A way to accomplish this is to schedule an annual physical with your physician and also get screened if you are at risk for, or have a family history of, certain serious conditions like cancer. One type of cancer that can [...]
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons (CTVS) is thrilled to begin the new year by congratulating several of our physicians who have been named to Austin Monthly magazine’s list of Top Doctors for 2023. Each year we are grateful for the recognition that our team receives from the local Austin community, including Travis, Hays and Williamson counties. [...]
In the United States, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds. That number is often said to spike during the holidays. While the holidays are a fun and festive time, they can also wreak havoc on your health. In fact, research shows that the most likely days someone is bound to suffer a fatal [...]
We are always humbled at CTVS anytime we receive accolades for the cardiac, vascular and thoracic care that we provide to our patients, and it is especially gratifying to be commended by our fellow medical community for it. This year, we are proud to share again that several of our physicians have been recognized as [...]
As Thanksgiving approaches and we reflect on what we are grateful for at CTVS, seeing our patients thrive is definitely at the top of our list. 67-year-old Freddie Martinez is one of those patients. He has been under the care of board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. William Kessler since 2011 when he underwent emergency surgery for [...]
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month when CTVS is committed to raising awareness about this serious, life-threatening disease. We also want to take a closer look at ways to both prevent and effectively treat it. According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer, but the first leading [...]
The mitral valve is a small but very important element of the heart that helps to ensure blood is flowing in the correct direction throughout the body. If it becomes damaged or weakened, due to conditions such as regurgitation (a leaky valve) or stenosis (a narrowed valve), it may need to be replaced. Transcatheter mitral [...]
During a surgery in the operating room (OR), everyone has a clearly defined role as to what their unique contributions will be for the procedure. The surgical team is made up of surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, a variety of technicians, physician assistants (PA), and sometimes medical residents or students who all work in harmony to ensure [...]
