Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - 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 umuch.org/healthy.

12  MARYLAND'S HEALTH MATTERS

CHEST PAIN
AND CARDIAC CT
ANGIOGRAPHY
When patients come to the emergency department
at UM Upper Chesapeake Health (UM UCH) with
a complaint of chest pain, they immediately have an
EKG (or electrocardiogram) performed to check their
heart rhythm and blood flow, followed by a history
and physical exam to determine what category of
chest pain they have.
One of the newer technologies that UM UCH uses
to do this is called coronary computed tomographic
angiography (CCTA). This offers a three-dimensional
picture of the heart's arteries and helps determine
whether the arteries are blocked enough to need
a cardiac catheterization (procedure used to diagnose
and treat a cardiovascular condition through use of
a long, thin tube) or whether the issue can be treated
with medications. This process helps to prevent
unnecessary tests and admission to the hospital.

LEARN MORE
For more information,
visit umuch.org/healthy.
http://www.umuch.org/healthy http://www.umuch.org/healthy
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Spring 2018
