Vascular Institute - Treatment for Artery and Vein Disease

The Vascular Institute, offering treatment for diseases of all the arteries and veins of the body except those leading to the heart and brain, has been established at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center under the direction of vascular surgeon Igor Laskowski, MD, PhD. Dr. Laskowski, who is double board certified in general surgery and vascular surgery, is a member of Vascular Associates of Westchester, a New York Medical College faculty practice in Hawthorne. He is joined at Phelps by Francis X. Carroll, MD, who is board certified in general and thoracic surgery.

The Vascular Institute at Phelps offers a broad spectrum of open vascular and advanced endovascular interventions. Conditions treated include:

• Arterial problems, including aneurysms, dissections, and complex aortic disease.
• Carotid arterial intervention for stroke prevention and carotid artery stenting.
• Peripheral arterial disease (hardening of the arteries of the lower extremities often caused by cholesterol, smoking or diabetes) and limb salvage.
• Treatment of venous thromboembolic disease.
• Diseases of the veins, edema, skin changes and inflammation, as well as esthetic surgery and treatment of unsightly veins.

The Vascular Institute is housed in the two-year-old Medical Services Building, also home to Phelps' Wound Healing Institute and a large orthopedic practice, as well as numerous other Phelps services and physician practices. "Patients benefit from our multidisciplinary approach, which is enhanced by the presence of a variety of specialists under one roof. This gives us the ability to quickly cross-reference problems and implement the appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment. The result is better care for all of our patients," says Dr. Laskowski.

According to Dr. Laskowski, at least 50% of patients at The Vascular Institute are treated endovascularly, a minimally invasive approach using x-ray imaging. "Endovascular skills can offer equal outcomes to open procedures in certain areas and give us the ability to treat patients in a less invasive yet equally successful way," says Dr. Laskowski. "Instead of cutting tissues, we use catheters and go inside arteries with balloons and stents, to recanalize them and keep them opened."

The majority (80%) of aortic conditions, most commonly aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection and problems with arteries of the gut and kidney, are treated endovascularly. Prior to endovascular surgery, says Dr. Laskowski, these conditions required long and very involved surgeries. With endovascular procedures, there is a lower mortality rate, quicker recovery and outcomes similar to traditional surgery.

Dr. Laskowski completed his internship and residency in general surgery at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. He remained in New York City for his vascular and endovascular fellowship that he accomplished at New York University Medical Center. Dr Laskowski also served as a research fellow in transplant immunology at Harvard Medical School. He holds Dr. Laskowski completed his internship and residency in general surgery at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. He remained in New York City for his vascular and endovascular fellowship that he accomplished at New York University Medical Center. Dr Laskowski also served as a research fellow in transplant immunology at Harvard Medical School. In addition he holds Registered Vascular Technologist qualifications. Francis X. Carroll, MD, who is board certified in general surgery and thoracic surgery, received his medical degree from SUNY-Brooklyn College of Medicine. He completed a residency in general surgery at St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center and a fellowship in cardiovascular surgery at SUNY Healthy Sciences Center in Brooklyn.

For information on The Vascular Institute at Phelps Memorial Hospital, call 914-366-3008.

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