September Sheds Light on Aortic Disease Awareness
In September, we raise awareness about serious issues that affect the aorta, the body’s largest artery and essential component of the heart. September 19th is Aortic Dissection Awareness Day, calling attention to the condition that famously took the life of popular actor John Ritter. Aortic dissections and aortic aneurysms lead to nearly 10,000 deaths each year. These are conditions that our board-certified cardiothoracic and vascular specialists at CTVS routinely treat. The most common aortic problems that we see and provide surgical treatment for include: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): this occurs when a portion of the aorta that extends through the [...]
Here’s what you should know about Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral Artery Disease, or PAD, is a serious circulatory condition that is steadily on the rise. In the United States, 23.8 million people are expected to be diagnosed with PAD by 2030. At CTVS, we frequently treat the many complications stemming from PAD. This PAD Awareness Month, we're sharing some important things to know about the condition. What is PAD? PAD is a vascular condition that occurs when blood vessels supplying blood to the lower extremities (usually the feet and legs) become severely narrowed or blocked. Blockage is typically due to a build-up of plaque in the arteries or poor [...]
Convergent Procedure to Treat Atrial Fibrillation
It is estimated that more than 12 million people in the United States will have Atrial Fibrillation, or AFib in 2030. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed heart conditions and is characterized by an irregular heartbeat or rhythm, known as arrhythmia. If left untreated, this erratic heartbeat can disrupt blood flow and lead to serious life-threatening issues like stroke or heart failure. Some risk factors for AFib include, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, obesity, or other heart conditions, such as a leaky valve or blocked artery. Advanced age can also be a contributor to developing AFib, and [...]
Welcome Vascular Surgeon Dr. Kofi Quaye
Throughout our 65-year history at CTVS, we have always been proud to assemble the most talented team of cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons in Central Texas. We are thrilled to announce the addition of a new member to our team vascular surgeon Dr. Kofi B. Quaye who will begin seeing patients in September. Dr. Quaye is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, and he received his Doctor of Medicine from Albany Medical College. He completed his general surgery residency at Houston Methodist Hospital, followed by a two-year vascular surgery fellowship at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Quaye has a special interest [...]
Thoracic Sympathectomy to Treat Ventricular Arrhythmia
At CTVS, our team of board-certified thoracic surgeons routinely perform a procedure known as a thoracic sympathectomy to treat hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating. During this surgery, part of the sympathetic chain of nerves that runs along the spine is carefully severed to halt signals that trigger the sweat glands. Now, thoracic sympathectomy is increasingly being used to treat serious heart conditions such as ventricular arrhythmia (an abnormal heartbeat) in patients who fail to respond to other therapies like medication and/or ablation. What is a thoracic sympathectomy? The sympathetic chain is a small nerve chain that runs along each side of [...]
CTVS Performs First Traumatic Aortic Repair Surgery in Williamson County Using Innovative TBE Device
It’s been more than five years since CTVS was the first practice in Central Texas to pioneer use of the GORE® TAG® Thoracic Branch Endoprosthesis (TBE) in a pivotal research study for treating aortic disease. More recently, our own board-certified cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons Dr. Mark Felger and Dr. Nicolas Zea became the first physicians in Williamson County to use the TBE on a trauma patient. The TBE is an innovative device designed to repair damage to the thoracic aorta, the largest artery in the heart, and in the case of 41-year-old Alfred Peterson, it was a lifesaver. Alfred was [...]
CTVS Celebrates 65 Years Serving Central Texas Community
We’re excited to announce a significant milestone at CTVS – our 65th anniversary! We are the longest-standing cardiothoracic and vascular group of specialists in Central Texas. We have had the privilege of treating the most complex cardiac, thoracic, and vascular conditions for people living in Travis, Hays, Williamson and the surrounding 10 county area. And let’s not forget patients who come to our area from well beyond the city limits. “Since 1958, CTVS has been an integral member of the medical community in Austin and Central Texas. Over the years, what makes us stand out is the collaboration among our physicians, [...]
Diabetes and Vascular Complications
Approximately 37 million Americans are currently living with diabetes - that’s about one out of every ten people. Diabetes is a serious condition that affects the way the body processes food, particularly sugar. If diabetes is not managed properly, it can have severe side effects, especially on the vascular system. The vascular system is the body’s intricate network of arteries, veins and blood vessels. Diabetes can lead to a severe narrowing of blood vessels impacting circulation and resulting in serious complications like PAD (peripheral artery disease) and diabetic foot and leg ulcers. While CTVS does not treat diabetes (an endocrinologist [...]
Men, Heart Disease and Bypass Surgery
Did you know that the leading cause of death for men in the United States is heart disease? Heart disease, or coronary artery disease, is most commonly diagnosed when the arteries that carry blood to the heart become blocked, resulting in serious conditions such as a heart attack. As June is Men’s Health Month, CTVS encourages all men to take a good look at their overall health, and especially their heart. Ways to ensure optimal heart health include eating a healthy low-fat diet, exercising regularly, and keeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check. Unfortunately, some are still prone to [...]
What should you know about Aortic Dissection?
A sharp and sudden chest pain could be caused by any number of issues, such as a heart attack. Another possibility, although extremely rare, is an aortic dissection. Aortic dissections are estimated to occur in about 5 to 30 people per every one million in the United States each year. It is one of the many serious heart conditions our board-certified cardiothoracic and vascular specialists surgically treat at CTVS. What is aortic dissection? An aortic dissection occurs when the inner layer of the aorta (the largest artery in the body) becomes weak and tears, or dissects, causing blood to spill [...]