Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Spring 2018 - 12

UMMC
SPOTLIGHT:

The aneurysm was dangerously close to bursting,

the thoracic aorta,"
Dr. Toursavadkohi says.
"We're the only center in

which could be fatal. His best
chance of survival was an

Maryland that offers this trial,"

experimental procedure called

says Bradley Taylor, MD,

investigational branched

associate professor of surgery

thoracic endovascular aortic

and co-director of the Center

repair (TEVAR) surgery. Moore

for Aortic Disease at UMMC.

was determined to do any-

Drs. Toursavadkohi and Taylor

thing that would give him

are co-investigators of this

a second chance. When he

groundbreaking clinical trial

heard that the procedure had

and performed Moore's

been successful at UMMC

surgery together.
The procedure uses

and hospitals abroad, he
knew it was worth a shot.

minimally invasive techniques

"We were chosen to

to insert a tube-shaped device

participate in a national

into the aorta to create a new

feasibility trial for this surgery

blood-flow pathway. The

because we're recognized

device provides surgeons with

as a high-volume center

greater access to the aorta

for conditions affecting

without open-heart surgery.
This translates into a shorter

Michael Moore

hospital stay and quicker
recovery time for patients. For
Moore, it meant he could return
home one week after surgery.
"This experience gave me a
new perspective on life itself.
It made me more responsible in caring for myself and
made me acknowledge that
things could be better," Moore
says. Moore's blood pressure
stabilized after surgery. He
relearned how to walk with
the help of in-home rehabilitation therapy, started eating
better and lost 20 pounds.
He currently sees Dr. Taylor
for his follow-up care.

NONINVASIVE
TESTING DETECTS
DISEASES
IN ARTERIES
AND VEINS
At the Non-Invasive Vascular Lab at University of
Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) Midtown Campus,
experts can detect a range of vascular diseases using
safe, simple tests that are free of injections, radiation
and chemicals. The tests use ultrasound technology
(high-frequency sound waves) to capture live images
from inside patients' bodies and can be done in less
than 15 minutes.
"The high-quality information we gain from
testing enables us to tell if there is vascular disease,
how severe it may be and how we can best treat it,"
says Michael P. Lilly, MD, professor of surgery at the
University of Maryland School of Medicine and director
of the Vascular Center at the UMMC Midtown Campus.
Experienced lab experts provide a full range of noninvasive testing for arteries and veins in the abdomen,
arms, legs and neck. Diseases detected include peripheral arterial disease (PAD), atherosclerosis (hardening
and narrowing of the arteries), aneurysms and deep
vein thrombosis (blood clot in the veins).
"There's nothing scary about getting a vascular
test," Dr. Lilly says. "If you have a family history of
vascular disease, see your doctor and get tested. It can
give you peace of mind-or identify a problem at an
early stage when treatment is simpler and less costly."

FOR MORE INFORMATION

GET TESTED

To learn more about the University of Maryland Heart
and Vascular Center and the treatments described in this
article, visit umm.edu/midtown/healthy.

For more information about vascular
screenings and services at UMMC Midtown
Campus, call 410-225-8144.

12 MARYLAND'S HEALTH MATTERS

http://www.umm.edu/midtown/healthy

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Spring 2018