Maryland’s Health Matters - St. Joseph - 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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about the University of Maryland Heart
and Vascular Center and the treatments described in this
article, visit umstjoseph.org/healthy.

12 MARYLAND'S HEALTH MATTERS

A CARDIOLOGIST'S
HEARTFELT MESSAGE
THE NO. 1 KILLER
OF WOMEN IS
HEART DISEASE
Board-certified cardiologist
Shannon Winakur, MD, is on a quest
to make women aware that "heart
disease is your biggest health risk,
Shannon
Winakur, MD
not breast cancer."
"The message hasn't gotten
through," she says. "Advertising campaigns have brought
breast cancer to the forefront, which is extremely important,
but cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the
U.S. by a multiplier of 10 compared with breast cancer.
"Annually in the U.S., breast cancer takes the lives
of roughly 40,000 women, but about 400,000 women
die of cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease, stroke and hypertension," says Dr. Winakur, who is
with UM St. Joseph Cardiovascular Associates.
Although women may suffer heart attacks at a later
age than men, the five biggest risk factors for heart disease are the same for both. They are: high blood pressure,
diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking and family history.

UNIQUE RISK FACTORS
Women have additional risk factors, which are: complications during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia or
gestational diabetes; a history of autoimmune disease,
such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis; certain cancer
treatments such as radiation to the chest, especially used
for Hodgkin lymphoma, or cancer of the left breast, and
a history of physical or emotional abuse or trauma.

HEART-TO-HEART
WITH YOUR DOCTOR
"Women need to feel empowered to take care of their
heart health," says Dr. Winakur. "If you think you're having
symptoms of a heart attack, call 911. Women aren't good
at putting themselves first. I've known women who
thought they had the flu, but it was a heart attack. Your
heart health starts with a conversation with your primary
care physician. You should do this every year, just like
getting a mammogram!"

http://www.umstjoseph.org/healthy

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland’s Health Matters - St. Joseph - Spring 2018