Progress Report Division & Section Reports
Vascular Surgery
James F. McKinsey, MD FACS
Vascular Surgery
Our vascular surgery program is one of the highest volume programs in the nation focusing on complex endovascular arterial reconstruction.
Building on a tradition that began nearly half a century ago, the division continues to refine traditional vascular procedures and develop state-of-the-art new endovascular procedures.
Vascular surgery encompasses the treatment of a diverse set of pathologic conditions affecting the body's vascular system – the network of blood vessels that circulates blood to and from the heart and lungs.
The division's vascular surgeons treat the full range of vascular disorders, including diseases of the aorta and of the carotid, renal, mesenteric and lower extremity arteries.
With clinical facilities at both NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, we are pleased to offer patients two locations with the most advanced treatments available in the world today.
Our vascular surgeons serve on the faculty of two of the country's leading medical colleges: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Weill Cornell Medical College.
Our mission is to remain on the forefront of developing innovative techniques and improving treatment for vascular disease.
We proudly carry on the rich tradition of high productivity in the research realm.
This is especially gratifying since it was the Columbia laboratories which developed the first artificial arteries in 1952, in many respects giving birth to the era of modern vascular surgery.
Our dedication to providing outstanding clinical care is complemented by our devotion to the advancement of vascular disease treatment through research. We have studied treatments in terms of efficacy, safety, and long-term durability, at our own hospital and at centers across the country.
The results substantiate that minimally invasive vascular procedures do have the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality rates while successfully treating the disease.
Numerous studies have shown that procedure volume does make a difference in outcomes — especially in patients with complex anatomy.
Our physicians perform large volumes in comparison with national averages and report favorable outcomes, particularly in carotid stenting and endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.
We consistently showcase our scientific presentations at virtually all of the major local, regional, national and international vascular society meetings.
In 2007 our vascular faculty presented a series of 1,000 consecutive percutaneous lower extremity procedures – one of the largest series ever reported – representing one of the most in-depth assessments of the factors affecting patency rates with a follow-up of greater than two years.
Data revealed an extremely high initial, technical success rate, as well as reasonable long-term patency rates.
Our large division offers an increased patient base that is attractive to government agencies and private-sector medical corporations who sponsor cutting-edge national clinical trials.
We offer access to investigational devices designed for patients at high-risk for surgery and who present complex anatomy such as carotid stents and fenestrated stent grafts for abdominal aortic aneurysms.
We also boast trials for drug-eluting stents for peripheral arterial vascular disease, and plaque excision for femoropopliteal lesions.
In 2008, a New York City metro-area first, a new stent graft was implanted under an FDA-approved clinical trial protocol.
The graft is designed to treat a complex form of abdominal aortic aneurysms in which the weakened enlarged vessel wall is too close to the arteries leading to the kidneys.
As the only center on the Eastern Seaboard with access to this device, we can offer this alternative to patients who would otherwise require major surgery.
We emphasize early detection of vascular disease, which can reduce the risk of serious complications.
Our faculty members were instrumental in facilitating the passage of legislation requiring Medicare coverage of ultrasound screening exams for abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Our non-invasive vascular laboratory performs testing for the detection of vascular disease of the carotid arteries, aorta and lower extremities.
Annually the division hosts an annual Free Vascular Screening Day.
Since 2005 we have screened over 200 people between the two campuses.
In terms of infrastructure, the noninvasive vascular laboratories at both Columbia and Cornell have developed into world-class facilities.
We study more than 3,000 patients annually in our labs accredited by the Intersocietal Commission on the Accreditation of Vascular Labs.
In 2004, the Division of Vascular Surgery opened two state-of-the-art surgical facilities – one at each campus – dedicated to the minimally invasive treatment of conditions of the vascular system.
The operating rooms offer diagnostic as well as therapeutic capabilities and feature Siemens AXIOM imaging equipment, which provides outstanding image quality with maximum possible radiation protection.
The suites also feature LEONARDO workstations with flat screen technology for optimized radiographic evaluation and diagnosis, and are equipped with the latest video conferencing equipment to facilitate the broadcast of live cases for educational purposes.
Dr. James F. McKinsey has been named interim Chief of the bicampus Division of Vascular Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
In that position, he will direct the vascular surgery services at the Columbia University Medical Center and Weill Cornell campuses of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Serving as Site Chief at the Columbia campus since 2004, Dr. McKinsey's leadership and expertise continues to increase options in minimal access vascular surgery.
Division of Vascular Surgery
http://www.nypvascularcare.org/
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