- Arthritis
- Primary CareBring a list of prior surgeries and procedures with you. Knowing your past health history will help the doctor determine the best treatment for you. It may be necessary to obtain medical clearance from your primary care physician prior to any surgical procedures.
- ElectrocardiogramAn aneurysm is a localized dilation or bulge in a blood vessel. Abdominal and thoracic aneurysms occur when the aorta dilates more than 150% of its normal diameter at a particular point. The larger the bulge becomes, the greater the risk that the aorta will burst, causing an internal hemorrhage. Congenital abnormalities, infections, atherosclerosis or hypertension can lead to a weakening of the blood vessel wall, allowing an aneurysm to develop. Lifestyle habits such as smoking and a poor diet can also be contributing factors. Many times physical exam results will be normal and patients may be asymptomatic; however, symptoms can include back, chest or abdominal pain. Other symptoms include hoarseness, wheezing and difficulty swallowing. Patients typically experience hypotension (low blood pressure), tachycardia (fast heart beat) and shock if the aneurysm ruptures. Almost six in 100,000 people will develop and aortic aneurysm. Men are two to four times more likely to be affected than women and the average age at the time of diagnosis is 60-70 years of age.Blood work, contrast-enhanced CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), contrast angiography, chest radiography, transesophageal echocardiography, or an electrocardiogram may be performed to determine a diagnosis.If an aneurysm is detected, it is typically treated surgically with a synthetic portion of blood vessel patching the area where the aneurysm was. Small aneurysms may be monitored for a period of time to see if they enlarge.
- Lung CancerA Thoracotomy is most often performed to remove lung cancer. It involves making an incision between ribs to gain access to the lung cavity. Removal of a lung tumor may require a wedge resection, or lobectomy (removal of a lung lobe) or pneumonectomy (removal of the entire lung). At the time of thoracotomy for cancer, sampling of lymph nodes is done for tumor staging and to assess the need for additional treatment.
- UltrasoundThe surgeon can use small incisions, radio waves, freezing, or microwave or ultrasound energy to create scar tissue. The scar tissue, which does not conduct electrical activity, blocks the abnormal electrical signals causing the arrhythmia. The scar tissue directs electric signals through a controlled path, or maze, to the lower heart chambers (ventricles).
- MRI
- Computed Tomography
- General SurgeryOur goal is to provide the most comprehensive and progressive cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgical services delivered with compassion, integrity and dignity emphasizing accessibility, dependability, patients’ rights and community commitment.
- SciaticaApproximately 8-12 million Americans have PAD. The disease develops slowly for up to 20 years and usually begins without symptoms. Over the years, patients may experience fatigue, numbness, pain or cramping in their calves, thighs or buttocks muscles during walking or other activities. The pain is caused because not enough oxygen can reach the muscles and surrounding tissue. These characteristic symptoms are called claudication. Often times, the symptoms are mistaken for arthritis or sciatica. Because the symptoms are similar to other diseases, it is necessary to have a doctor perform an ankle-brachial index (ABI) or ankle blood pressure measurement test to determine if you have PAD.
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- GangreneMedication, exercise, quitting smoking, and other therapies may help patients with occasional symptoms and intermittent claudication. But for patients who experience persistent pain when resting, ulcers, gangrene, or severely limited activity as a result of PAD, revascularization is often the only solution. Intervention can prevent the symptoms and disease from worsening-in very extreme cases, PAD can progress to the point that amputation is required.Depending on the severity and length of the blockage, different treatments may be prescribed. For localized blockages, angioplasty and/or stents may correct the problem. For longer segments of blockage, bypass is usually recommended. In either case, the procedures are similar to those used to treat coronary arteries on the heart.
- Vascular SurgeryDr. Weinstein is Board Certified in both General and Vascular Surgery. He was Associated Professor of Surgery and Chief of Vascular Surgery at the University of New Mexico from 1989 to 1996 before joining Denver Vascular Surgical Associates. That group merged with Colorado Cardiovascular Surgical Associates in 2000.Dr. Weinstein is a member of the Society for Vascular Surgery as well as the Western Vascular Surgical Society and is a past President of the Rocky Mountain Vascular Surgical Society. He has received extensive endovascular training for New Emerging Vascular Therapies most recently having completed a two-month Endovascular Fellowship in Hawaii.
- Robotic SurgeryDr. Myles Guber has extensive experience in complex mitral valve repair surgery and has performed “small incision” mitral and aortic valve surgery for many years. Robotic surgery was a natural extension of his previous surgical experience. His extensive experience encompasses all aspects of adult cardiac and thoracic surgery.
- BotoxDr. Tripathi: Your primary care physician may prescribe oral medications, which can be effective, or refer you to a dermatologist, who may suggest Botox injections. Injections can be painful, especially in the armpits. Prescription antiperspirants are also available. These are viable approaches but tend to be short-lived. Such interventions can manage the condition but not necessarily cure it. That’s when surgery is the next option. It’s the only treatment that provides a permanent solution.