CTVS Offers Options for Limb Salvage Treatment Ahead of Amputation
Loss of a limb can be both physically and mentally traumatic. Unfortunately it is often necessary to save a patient’s life. Amputation of a limb may be needed when there is serious infection, a wound that won’t heal, or poor circulation (typically in the legs) that causes tissue to die. Lower leg ischemia is the condition used to describe severe pain or wounds that result in this abnormally low blood flow or circulation to the leg or foot. Ischemia develops from peripheral artery disease (PAD) which is a hardening, or narrowing, of arteries from atherosclerosis and blocking blood flow to [...]
Dr. Yang Leads Program Delivering Life-Saving Technologies for Heart and Lungs
No one is more proud than us at CTVS when our physicians share their expertise and skills beyond our practice to improve the health and well-being of so many others. Dr. Jonathan Yang, one of our board-certified cardiothoracic surgeons, serves as surgical director of the advanced heart failure program at Heart Hospital of Austin where he will help oversee the VAD/ECMO program. Dr. Yang has a special interest in advanced life-saving technologies and procedures such as mechanical circulatory support (VAD and ECMO), heart transplantation, and aortic surgery. We are fortunate in Central Texas to have a handful of facilities that [...]
CTVS Sheds Light on Peripheral Artery Disease
If you have unexplained leg pain or wounds to your feet or toes that struggle to heal, you could be suffering from Peripheral Artery Disease, or PAD. PAD is when the arteries of the legs or other extremities become narrow or clogged leading to poor circulation. 10 million Americans currently suffer from PAD, according to the Society for Vascular Surgery. September is PAD Awareness Month. Did you know this condition can cause serious issues like stroke and loss of limbs if left untreated? In addition to leg pain or wounds that don’t heal, other indicators of PAD may include: Painful [...]
COVID-19 and Long-Term Heart Damage: Is There a Connection?
Because of its commonly recognized respiratory symptoms -- heavy coughing and difficulty breathing -- the most severely damaged part of the body following a bout of COVID-19 was thought to be the lungs, until now. A small study recently conducted in Germany and profiled in JAMA-Cardiology reveals that the effects of COVID-19 on the heart following recovery could be quite damaging. The study monitored the cardiovascular health of 100 patients who contracted the virus and subsequently recovered from it. Via Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging evaluation of these patients, it was discovered that the cardiac effects following COVID-19 may be: Long-lasting Hard [...]
AFib Surgical Treatments
Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, happens when the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat irregularly instead of beating effectively to move blood into the ventricles. This irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. What are the surgical treatments for AFib? The two most common surgical treatments for AFib are the Maze (performed during open heart surgery or a minimally invasive approach) and Convergent Ablation Procedures. A third option is ablation during minimally invasive valve surgery. CTVS board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Faraz Kerendi says that treatments are effective, but the severity of your [...]
Tracking Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
Smartwatches can track everything from steps taken to sleep habits, and now they may even be able to detect a dangerous heart condition. A recent study from the Cleveland Clinic suggests that smartwatches (specifically the Apple Watch 4) were able to identify instances of atrial fibrillation (AFib), or an irregular heartbeat/arrhythmia. The research was conducted on 50 postoperative cardiac surgery patients. The smartwatch was able to detect the irregular heartbeat 98% of the time in those wearing the device equipped with a downloadable PDF specifically designed to track this condition. According to the American Heart Association, at least 2.7 million [...]
About Our Vascular Intervention Suite (VIS)
The vascular surgeons at CTVS are committed to providing state-of-the-art imaging and treatment options to help restore blood flow to the legs and feet of patients with poor circulation and clogged arteries. We’re doing this in the most convenient way through our in-office Vascular Intervention Suite (VIS). Our team uses sophisticated x-ray technology and equipment, similar to a cath lab, to get an up-close view of vessels, which helps determine a more exact state of arterial or venous disease. The VIS is an integral part of our lower extremity revascularization program, which includes in-office evaluation, non-invasive vascular lab testing, medical [...]
CTVS 1st in Texas to Use TREO Device For Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons (CTVS) has been making history for decades as pioneers performing several important first-ever medical procedures here in Central Texas. CTVS board-certified vascular surgeon Dr. Mazin Foteh is now the first in our region to use the Terumo TREO implant device to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms. Abdominal aortic aneurysms form when the blood vessels in the abdomen that supply blood to the heart become enlarged and have the potential to burst and cause life-threatening internal bleeding. Most of the time, these aneurysms can be difficult to detect as symptoms are often slow to appear and typically mild. [...]
Dialysis Patients Urged Not to Delay Treatment Due to COVID-19
Dialysis Patients Urged Not to Delay Treatment Due to COVID-19 CTVS wants to remind patients that we are still performing essential vascular surgical procedures associated with dialysis treatment to all those suffering from kidney failure or End Stage Renal Disease. Dialysis and hemodialysis treatments use medical equipment to take over the filtration of blood and other fluids when kidneys are functioning poorly. Poor kidney function is often due to issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic inflammation, heart disease, or extreme dehydration. We want to stress that it is important not to delay any essential evaluation or procedures for [...]
Celebrating the Dewan Duo on Father’s Day
Inside CTVS, you'll find two Dr. Dewans: Dr. Stephen Dewan is a cardiothoracic surgeon who has been with the practice since 1988. Dr. Brendan Dewan, Stephen's son, joined the practice exactly 30 years later in 2018. It is not uncommon for a child to follow in their parents’ footsteps when choosing a profession -- even cardiothoracic surgery, which ranks as one of the most competitive fields of medicine. As medical lingo often peppered dinner conversation when the Dewan children were young (their mom Diane, is a physician assistant), it was likely that at least one of them would be interested [...]