Medical Intel, brought to you by MedStar Washington Hospital Center - Physican

AMPLATZER PFO Occluder Device

MedStar Washington Hospital Center — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 00:02:46 +0000

Lowell Satler, MD, discusses the recently FDA-approved AMPLATZER PFO Occluder, including benefits, risks, and best potential candidates for the device. Dr. Satler also explains the implantation procedure, as well as MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute's unique, patient-based approaches to post-surgical care.

Cervical Disc Replacement

MedStar Washington Hospital Center — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 19:41:45 +0000

Oliver Tannous, MD, discusses the surgical options for treating cervical disc disease and related issues, including the emerging approach of cervical disc replacement. Dr. Tannous also explains the research and FDA approval process surrounding disc replacement, as well as the promising benefits: a more rapid recovery, fewer complications, and a reduced risk of subsequent surgeries to address adjacent segment disease.

Urologic Reconstruction and Indications For Referral

MedStar Washington Hospital Center — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 01:21:07 +0000

Krishnan Venkatesan, MD, discusses the specific conditions that may require urologic reconstruction, including erectile dysfunction (ED), Peyronie's disease, urinary fistulas, and urethral stricture. He outlines best practices in speaking to patients about these oftentimes sensitive subjects, as well as how to recognize when they might benefit from an appointment with a specialist.

Partial Joint Replacements

MedStar Washington Hospital Center — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 21:06:58 +0000

Evan Argintar, MD, discusses the varying types of knee replacement surgeries, including total, partial, and a new hybrid surgical approach that combines arthroplasty with cartilage restoration techniques. Advancements such as this provide the opportunity for faster recovery and maximized function.

The New “Pathway” For MedStar Physicians

MedStar Washington Hospital Center — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 00:56:38 +0000

Michelle Magee, MD, explains how an intensive diabetes "boot camp," combined with a new blood glucose monitoring system, is making dramatic strides in reducing patients' A1C levels. This new technology provides real-time results, allowing diabetes educators to contact patients and uncover why blood sugar spikes are occurring.

Minimally Invasive Vascular Surgery

MedStar Washington Hospital Center — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 01:10:38 +0000

Listen as Edward Woo, MD, director of the MedStar Vascular Program, and Misaki Kiguchi, MD, vascular surgeon with MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute, discuss the latest advances in treatments of vascular disease and how minimally invasive technologies can provide better patient outcomes.

Managing Med/Psych Patients in Aging Population

MedStar Washington Hospital Center — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 22:29:25 +0000

It's not uncommon to encounter complex hospitalized medical/psychiatric patients who are also part of an aging population. The elderly can present with cognitive impairments that become a challenge to manage in a patient care unit. In an effort to address behavioral issues that can arise in a medical setting, MedStar Washington Hospital Center developed multi-disciplinary teams and protocols to better care for these patients.

Listen as Lourdes Desi Griffin, PhD, assistant vice president for medicine and psychiatry, shares best practices and lessons learned.

Advanced Heart Failure

MedStar Washington Hospital Center — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 13:27:57 +0000

Samer Najjar, MD, director of the Advanced Heart Failure Program at MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, discusses the epidemic of heart failure in the United States.

He shares best practices for determining the classifications of heart failure, including how to assess patient history, and the threshold at which they cross over into advanced heart failure. He discusses a range of therapies including inotropes, implantable devices, transplant, and end-of-life care.

Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

MedStar Washington Hospital Center — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 22:19:46 +0000

HIPEC, or hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, is given immediately after a peritonectomy or cytoreductive surgery, while the patient is still in the operating room.

The chemotherapy drugs are heated to make them more potent, then used to directly bathe the surgical site in the abdomen. This method kills any remaining cancer cells and provides higher, more effective doses of medication, without significantly affecting the rest of the body.

Listen in as Chukwuemeka U. Ihemelandu, MD, discusses which patients are the best candidates, when to make referrals and how outcomes advance this procedure.

Removals of Soft-Tissue Sarcomas: When to Make a Referral to a Specialist

MedStar Washington Hospital Center — Sun, 14 Aug 2016 00:43:39 +0000

Statistically speaking, a soft tissue mass in the extremities is likely to be a lipoma and is appropriately managed by general surgeons. However, there are occasions when it is actually a mischaracterized soft tissue sarcoma. These are best dealt with by specialized orthopaedic oncologists in order to avoid spreading the cancer to surrounding areas.

Robert Henshaw, MD, a board-certified orthopaedic oncology surgeon at Medstar Washington Hospital Center, discusses how to recognize when a mass is not a lipoma and when additional imaging and referrals should be made.