Vascular Institute of Atlanta Vascular Disease: What it is and Treatment OptionsQ&A with Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Joseph Ricotta Dr. Joseph Ricotta is a nationally and internationally renowned vascular and endovascular surgeon, having been repeatedly named as one of the Best Doctors in America and Top Surgeons in the United States for several years running. Dr. Ricotta has authored over 175 publications and has delivered more than 300 lectures worldwide on the topic of vascular surgery and has been a pioneer in several groundbreaking techniques in the field, including endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms and Endovascular Robotic Surgery. Dr. Joseph Ricotta came to Atlanta five years ago, after working at the nations leading institutions such as Yale, Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, and Cleveland Clinic and now serves as the CEO and Medical Director of the Vascular Institute of Atlanta, located right here in our own community. FLiP sat down with Dr. Ricotta to discuss his vision for the Vascular Institute of Atlanta and how patients can optimize their vascular health. Q: How did you become interested in Vascular Surgery? A: My father is a vascular surgeon, and his father was also a surgeon; so I was exposed to medicine, specifically surgery, from a young age. I can remember, as a young boy, accompanying my grandfather on house calls to visit his patients. I would carry his black doctor bag for him, which I still keep with me in my office. As I got older, I made rounds with my father as he visited his patients in the hospital and even observed many of his surgeries. I saw from a young age the satisfaction that both my father and grandfather experienced from helping their patients, and I knew that I wanted to grow up to help people just like they did. Q: Speaking of helping people, it was in the news recently that you performed CPR on the man that fell from the upper deck at the Atlanta Braves game. Can you describe what happened?A: That was a tragic accident and something I prefer not to discuss in detail, but I was there and was the first to attend to the man after he fell. I assisted with CPR until the paramedics arrived. That was a situation where your training and medical instincts kick in, and you just go into action and try to help. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Q: What is vascular disease exactly?A: Vascular disease is any disorder of the blood vessels (arteries and veins) in the body, excluding the heart. This includes aneurysms, stroke, vein problems (including blood clots, varicose veins and leg swelling), blockage in leg arteries, or what we call peripheral arterial disease (PAD) which causes leg pain when walking or ulcers and sores on the legs or feet, blockage in kidney or intestinal arteries, which can lead to high blood pressure and abdominal pain and thoracic outlet syndrome, which can lead to arm tingling or pain. Q: How does someone develop vascular disease?A: There are several risk factors for developing vascular disease. These include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and family history of vascular disease. Perhaps the biggest risk factor is cigarette smoking. Believe it or not, in some cases, it only takes smoking 100 cigarettes to increase your chances of developing vascular disease. Q: How can someone prevent vascular disease, and for people who develop vascular disease, what are their treatment options?A: The best way to prevent vascular disease is to control your risk factors. Do not smoke or if you do smoke, do everything you can to cut down and quit. Exercise, weight loss, eating a low-fat, low-salt diet can help control cholesterol and blood sugar levels and lowers blood pressure. Annual check-ups of your vascular system are also important. For patients with vascular disease, at the Vascular Institute of Atlanta we have the unique ability to offer a myriad of state-of-the-art treatment options under one roof, which include non-operative medical management, minimally invasive endovascular procedures and open surgery. At another facility, a doctor may be limited to just one kind of treatment. We emphasize non-operative and minimally invasive treatment options whenever possible, and the vast majority of our patients can be successfully treated this way. Q: You have trained and worked at some of the most prestigious institutions in the world. How do these past experiences help you in your role as CEO and Medical Director of the Vascular Institute of Atlanta?A: I have learned a great deal from working at those exceptional institutions. One thing that they all have in common is that in everything they do, they always put the needs of the patient first, above all else. That patient-centered approach is something that we emphasize at Vascular Institute of Atlanta, along with providing our patients with the most up to date treatment options and advanced technologies, so that they may lead long, healthy lives. Q: You are recognized as a national and international expert and thought-leader in Vascular Surgery. What do you think has been your biggest contribution or proudest accomplishment?A: I have been fortunate to practice vascular surgery during a time of significant technological advances. The field has evolved over the last 2 decades, from performing primarily open surgical operations, to the minimally invasive endovascular approach that can be accomplished with just a skin puncture, rather than an incision. We still do open surgery when indicated, but I would estimate that 80-85% of my patients can be treated with the newer endovascular procedures. I was also fortunate to work at some pretty good places, as you mentioned, and started my career at the Mayo Clinic where we were one of the early adopters of fenestrated endografts to treat complex aortic aneurysms. In fact, I was the first surgeon in the United States with FDA IDE approval to create and implant custom modified endografts for high-risk patients with complex aortic aneurysms and have dedicated much of my career to the management and treatment of aneurysms. I am a big proponent of technology and strive to find new techniques to make procedures safer, more efficient and with better outcomes for my patients. There is a brand new field of endovascular robotics where we can actually manipulate wires and catheters using a robot, which gives us more precision and control during the procedures. I was the first vascular surgeon in the southeast United States and one of a few in the world to perform endovascular robotic surgery. Q: What specific services are offered at Vascular Institute of Atlanta?A: We diagnose, manage and treat any and all disorders of the arteries and veins in your body, excluding the heart. We offer the newest technologies of non-operative medical management, endovascular therapy and open surgery, treating the spectrum of vascular disease, from the simplest conditions such as spider veins, to the most complex such as aortic aneurysms or stroke. Many of our services are performed in our office in the outpatient setting, and we also offer a full-service vascular laboratory and ultrasound program, a comprehensive vein center, and a cutting edge research program, which offers the latest technologies to patients through clinical trials. The Vascular Institute of Atlanta is an all-inclusive destination for any patient with vascular disease. Q: What can patients expect when they visit the Vascular Institute of Atlanta?A: They can expect world-class care with a personalized touch. We value the multi-disciplinary team approach to the vascular patient and emphasize coordination of care with primary care providers and other specialists. We are dedicated to providing the most advanced, comprehensive, personalized evaluation and treatment options for patients with all types of vascular conditions, so that our patients can feel better, be healthier and live longer. Vascular Institute of AtlantaRoswell, GA 30076 470-355-3053 www.atlvascular.com email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
to your business!