Vascular Surgery - Division Overview

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Vascular Grand Rounds are cancelled for the remainder of June and early July 2008; we will resume Vascular Grand Rounds Tuesday, July 15, 2008.

 

The Division of Vascular Surgery is dedicated to providing the highest quality of patient care, professional education, basic vascular science research, translational research and clinical research. This mission is carried out under the leadership of Boulos Toursarkissian, M.D. Other faculty members include Paula K. Shireman, M.D., and Maureen K. Sheehan, M.D.

We specialize in the evaluation and management of conditions affecting blood vessels - arteries and veins. Our medical management options include endovascular techniques as well as conventional classical vascular surgery.

Specialty Areas:

• Carotid artery stenosis: endovascular stents as well as open endarterectomy surgery
• Aortic aneurysm: both open as well as stent graft treatment
• Thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysm: both open as well as stent graft repair
• Complex aortic pathology: embolizing lesions, penetrating ulcers, occlusion and aortic dissection
• Vascular access for hemodialysis
• Traumatic injuries: to the arteries and veins
• Renal artery stenosis: stenting and open bypass surgery
• Peripheral arterial disease causing leg pain (claudication) or ulcers/gangrene. Treatment options include angioplasty, atharectomy, laser treatment and stents, as well as bypass surgery
• Venous ulcers on the legs
• Varicose veins: laser treatment, sclerotherapy, spider vein injections, as well as vein stripping/phlebectomies
• Other vascular problems: mesenteric artery (intestine arteries) blockages, central vein reconstruction, brachiocephalic artery disease and lymphedema (swollen legs)

The Division of Vascular Surgery faculty members have extensive experience in the management of complicated, as well as straight-forward, vascular problems. We have expertise with all FDA-approved devices for thoracic and abdominal endografting as well as peripheral and carotid interventions.

The Vascular Surgery faculty has been recognized for

• First endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in the South Texas Area.
• First comprehensive carotid artery stenting program
• Placement of the first Zenith AAA stent in the State of Texas
• First thoracic aortic endograft surgery performed in San Antonio and South Texas
• Placement of first CardioMEMS AAA pressure sensor in South Texas

The Division of Vascular Surgery faculty has expertise and experience with the whole array of techniques for revascularization of the lower extremities. Including:

• Laser atherectomy
• Plaque excision with "Silverhawk" and others
• Mechanical thombectomy

These procedures are minimally invasive approaches for limb salvage. Research and publication of these procedures can be found in the Vascular Surgery Division bio-sketches of each individual faculty member.