OEIS is a multispecialty/multidisciplinary society that was established in 2013 for Vascular Surgery, Interventional Cardiology and Interventional Radiologists to establish the highest standards of safety, successful surgical outcomes, top-notch care for patients, cost effectiveness, types of equipment needed, and research to demonstrate that in-office based operating facilities are a good place to perform interventional procedures.
Dr. Julien’s experience as one of the first interventional radiologists to implement an in-office, outpatient facility provides him with the knowledge of what it takes to successfully lead the OEIS Society as President. He has always understood the need for quality patient care and has developed his practice model as one in which he sees his own patients and treats many of them in his fully-equipped, sophisticated, endovascular surgery suite. Dr. Julien runs a well-credentialed operating suite and has always placed a strong emphasis on the importance of patient education, proper diagnosis, and optimal treatment plan for each patient. His practice has been highlighted as a model for the next generation of interventional radiology practices.
Dr. Julien brings many years of hands-on experience at South Florida Vascular Associates in Coconut Creek, Florida to the Society and as President of OEIS, Dr. Julien plans to increase membership, help develop practice guidelines, offer research programs, and provide educational meetings, to name a few. We congratulate Dr. Julien on his newly elected position.
Earlier this month we honored National Women’s Health Week, an observance led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health. The goal is to empower women to make their health a priority and to help women understand what steps they can take to improve their health.
In honor of Women’s Health Awareness Week, we would like to educate you about a common health problem that many woman face; uterine fibroids.
What You Need To Know
Fibroids are muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus and are almost always benign (not cancerous). They can grow as a single tumor, or there can be many of them in the uterus. They can be as small as an apple seed or as big as a grapefruit. In unusual cases, they can become very large.
About 20 percent to 80 percent of women develop fibroids by the time they reach age 50 and are most common in women in their 30’s and early 40’s. Not all women with fibroids have symptoms, however women who do have symptoms often find fibroids hard to live with. Some women experience pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. Fibroids also can put pressure on the bladder causing frequent urination, or the rectum, causing rectal pressure. If fibroids grow to become very large, they can cause the abdomen to enlarge, distending their belly.
Some fibroids do not cause any symptoms, but many women with fibroids can experience:
•Heavy bleeding or painful periods
•Feeling of fullness in the pelvic area
•Enlargement of the lower abdomen
•Frequent urination
•Pain during sex
•Lower back pain
•Complications during pregnancy and labor, including a six-time greater risk of cesarean section
•Reproductive problems, such as infertility
Factors that can increase a woman's risk of developing fibroids:
•Age. Fibroids become more common as women age, especially during the 30s and 40s through menopause. After menopause, fibroids usually shrink.
•Family history. Having a family member with fibroids increases your risk. If a woman's mother had fibroids, her risk of having them is about three times higher than average.
•Ethnic origin. African-American women are more likely to develop fibroids than white women.
•Obesity. Women who are overweight are at higher risk for fibroids. For very heavy women, the risk is two to three times greater than average.
•Eating habits. Eating a lot of red meat and ham is linked with a higher risk of fibroids. Eating plenty of green vegetables seems to protect women from developing fibroids.
No one knows for sure what causes fibroids. Researchers think that more than one factor could play a role. These factors could be:
•Hormonal (affected by estrogen and progesterone levels)
•Genetic (runs in families)
Fibroids may need to be treated to reduce symptoms and pain. In the past, treatment usually involved surgery – removing the uterus through a hysterectomy, or removing the fibroids from the uterus through a myomectomy.
While these options are generally effective, they require general anesthesia and lengthy recovery times and they carry the risk of surgical complications. Many women are not candidates for a myomectomy because of the size, number, or location of their fibroids. Fibroids commonly recur after myomectomy.
Doctors at South Florida Vascular Associates offer a procedure called uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), or uterine artery embolization which is used to treat fibroids. It is a minimally invasive procedure in which the blood flow of the uterus is intentionally reduced, causing the fibroid tumors to shrink. It alleviates or improves fibroid symptoms 90% of the time.
Our board certified, interventional radiologists perform uterine fibroid embolization in our beautiful, state-of-the art outpatient facility without the need for hospitalization. No general anesthesia, shorter recovery times and many women resume light activities in just a few days with the majority of women able to return to normal activities within seven to ten days.
If you have uterine fibroids and have been told you need to have them removed, you may be a candidate for fibroid embolization. To learn more, contact us today. Call (954) 725-4141 or request an appointment online now.
Did you know that every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke? Each year, almost 800,000 strokes occur in the United States, often leading to serious, life-changing complications. National Stroke Awareness Month is an annual event held within the United States. The aim of National Stroke Awareness Month is to make Americans aware that they may be able to save a life of a person experiencing a stroke and to place emphasis on making the public aware about Acting FAST. If a stroke patient seeks immediate medical attention, clot busting medications can be administered within 3 hours and up to 4.5 hours after becoming symptomatic that may improve the chances of recovering from a stroke. A significant number of stroke victims don’t get to the hospital in time for treatment this is why it’s so important to identify a stroke immediately
FAST is an acronym for things to check in a suspected stroke victim:
•F - Face Does the face droop on one side when the person smiles?
•A - Arm after raising both arms, does one of the arms drift downwards?
•S - Speech after repeating a simple phrase, does the person’s speech sound slurred or strange?
•T - Time If any or all of the above are observed call for 9-1-1
What is a stroke?
A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack". Many people think of stroke as a condition that affects only older adults however, strokes can and do occur in people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. In fact, nearly a quarter of all strokes occur in people younger than age 65. A stroke occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and nutrients causing the brain to starve. When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain is affected through paralysis, language, motor skills, or vision.
How a person is affected by their stroke depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged. For example, someone who had a small stroke may only have minor problems such as temporary weakness of an arm or leg. People who have larger strokes may be permanently paralyzed on one side of their body or lose their ability to speak. Some people recover completely from strokes, but more than 2/3 of survivors will have some type of disability.
•Each year nearly 800,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke.
•A stroke happens every 40 seconds.
•Every 4 minutes someone in the United States dies from a stroke.
•Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S.
•Up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.
•Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the U.S.
In honor of Stroke Awareness Month: Educate Yourself, Act Fast, Spread the Word and Help to Save a Life!
Many of you may not be familiar with Interventional Radiology (IR) or who an Interventional Radiologist is so we would like to take this time to explain more about this amazing specialty that offers alternatives to traditional open surgery.
Interventional Radiologists (IR) are board-certified physicians who specialize in minimally invasive, targeted treatments performed using medical imaging to guide them. They offer the most in-depth knowledge of the least invasive treatments and are actually pioneers in minimally invasive procedures. IR’s use X-rays, MRI and other imaging technology to advance a catheter through an artery in the body to treat a disease internally. The main focus of Interventional Radiology is to diagnose and treat patients using the least invasive techniques available.
Our highly specialized interventional radiologists at South Florida Vascular Associates, Dr. William Julien and Dr. Curtis Anderson perform endovascular procedures through tiny incisions using thin catheters, wires, balloons and other medical devices in place of scalpels and large incisions used during traditional surgery. Most of the procedures are performed in our out-patient, office-based operating suite with no general anesthesia, no large incisions, shorter recovery time and the patient goes home the same day. Minimally invasive procedures minimize risk to the patient, improve outcomes, and eliminate long hospital stays.
Cancer of the liver is on the rise in the U.S. and is becoming more common due to such factors as Hepatitis C and another condition called non-alcohol fatty liver disease. Physicians at South Florida Vascular Associates now offer a minimally invasive treatment, chemoembolization, used for malignant tumors of the liver, performed by a specialty-trained, interventional oncologist in our outpatient surgical suite, under conscious sedation.
Chemoembolization delivers large, highly concentrated doses of cancer drugs directly to liver tumors while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues, without most of the negative side effects of traditional intravenous chemotherapy.
During this procedure our interventional oncologist uses image guided technology to place a small catheter from the blood vessel in your groin into the artery that supplies blood to the liver. Anti-cancer drugs are then delivered through the catheter directly into the tumor causing the tumor to slow or stop growing and in some cases, can even result in significant shrinkage of the tumor. This method of delivering large doses of chemotherapy directly to the liver tumor has shown positive results in patients who are not candidates for standard therapy.
The treatment is most beneficial to patients whose disease is predominantly limited to the liver, whether the tumor began in the liver or has spread to the liver from another organ.
If you have liver cancer, think that you might be a candidate for chemoembolization and would like additional information, please call our office today to set up a consultation. Call 954-725-4141.
30 Minute Minimally Invasive Procedure
Enables Man Suffering from Painful Varicoceles to Return to Active, Pain-Free
Lifestyle
Five years ago in 2009, at age 33, Gary S. began suffering from severe discomfort in his left testicle. “I wasn’t sure what the pain was from and I hate going to doctors, but I was in so much discomfort, I went to see a urologist in Tampa where I was living at that time”, said Gary. The urologist diagnosed Gary with a varicocele, a relatively common condition that affects approximately 10 percent of young men usually during the second or third decade of life. Varicoceles are pain and swelling of the testicles caused by tangled blood vessels and weak defective valves in the scrotum resulting in blood pooling. When the valves in the testis work properly, they only allow the blood to flow away from the testicle, but sometimes these one-way valves can fail and reverse the flow of blood. Sometimes, varicoceles cause no symptoms and are harmless. But sometimes a varicocele causes pain, testicular atrophy (shrinkage), or low sperm count resulting in fertility problems. The urologist told Gary that his varicocele was not bad and that he should simply wear supportive underwear, take advil, and ice his testicles as needed. While there are surgical and minimally invasive procedures that can correct varicoceles, Gary was told it was not necessary in his case. As an avid runner, martial arts lover and tri-athalon participant, Gary was forced to give up all of his daily activities because the pain became unbearable. He was no longer able to live the active life he once enjoyed. He worked as a contractor, frequently on his feet and worked outdoors in the Florida heat and humidity which was also very difficult because the heat and humidity caused extreme discomfort in the testicle. Some men describe varicoceles as feeling like a bag of worms in the scrotum. In June of 2014 Gary knew it was time to be proactive with his medical care and seek a solution that would help to alleviate his pain. He did some research on the internet about varicoceles and found Dr. William Julien, Medical Director at South Florida Vascular Associates (SFVA). Dr. Julien is a well-known and respected interventional radiologist who performs a minimally invasive procedure called varicocele embolization. Varicocele embolization is performed at SFVA in their in-office, out-patient facility. Gary was very interested in what he read and immediately made an appointment to see Dr. Julien. Varicocele surgery is often performed by a urologist using traditional open surgery. The surgery is done in a hospital under general anesthesia, with an incision made in the skin above the scrotum and cutting down to the testicular veins. The veins are then closed with sutures. Recovery from this type of surgery can take two to three weeks. Gary was not interested in the surgical approach. Upon examination, Dr. Julien confirmed that Gary did have a varicocele and that he was a candidate for varicocele embolization. Dr. Julien explained that the procedure is done by inserting a small tube with a catheter into the femoral vein in the groin then painlessly guided it into the abdomen and the varicocele using the guidance of x-ray imaging. The varicocele is then closed off by plugging it with small metal coils and using a special medication that slows the blood flow, causing the blood to clot and seal the vein. The coils remain in place to keep the vein permanently sealed. The procedure takes 30 minutes and the patient goes home a few hours later with only a band aid at the puncture site. Patients can immediately resume their non-exertional activities. 2 weeks later Gary had a very successful varicocele embolization. “The surgery was easy and the staff at South Florida Vascular Associates is wonderful. I can finally enjoy my life again”, says Gary. He is no longer in pain, is able to take long walks on the beach with his girlfriend and has also begun an exercise routine. He is hoping to resume running again too. Gary highly recommends this procedure to anyone who suffers from testicular pain related to a varicocele. “I waited 5 years before I got the help I needed, says Gary, but fortunately I found the right doctor and I’m back on track enjoying my life, free of pain”.
Many women diagnosed with fibroids are often told by their doctors that the best treatment is a hysterectomy however, if you suffer from fibroids, a hysterectomy isn't the only option; in fact a hysterectomy should perhaps be your last option.
A non-invasive treatment, uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) has proven to be a safe and effective option. UFE is a minimally invasive procedure in which the blood flow of the uterus is intentionally reduced causing the fibroid tumors to shrink. It alleviates or improves fibroid symptoms 90% of the time. UFE is performed by making a tiny nick in the skin in the groin and inserting a tube, known as a catheter, into the femoral artery. Using x-ray imaging, the catheter is guided through the arterial system and into the arteries supplying the uterus. Tiny particles, the size of grains of sand are then injected into the uterine arteries to block the blood flow which starves and destroys the fibroid.
At South Florida Vascular Associates our Board Certified endovascular surgeons, Dr. William Julien and Dr. Curtis Anderson have performed thousands of uterine fibroid embolizations in our outpatient facility, conveniently located in our office and it does not require an overnight stay. Pain-killing medications and drugs that control swelling typically are prescribed following the procedure to treat cramping and pain. Many women can resume light activities in a few days and the majority of women are able to return to normal activities within seven to ten days. Benefits of UFE over hysterectomy
•No general anesthesia
• Abdominal incision is not required.
•There is little to no blood loss, so there is no need for blood transfusions.
•All fibroids may be treated at the same time.
About Fibroids
Fibroids are benign, non-cancerous growths in or on the walls of the uterus, or womb. They can range from less than an inch in diameter to more than six inches. African-American women and those with a family history are more likely to have fibroids than women of other racial groups. Fibroids affect close to 50 percent of African-American women over the age of 40 and are prone to having larger and more fibroids. Fibroids can also develop at a younger age.
Fibroids also affect more than 40 percent of women over the age of 40 and are often found in women immediately prior to menopause (ages 45-50) because they have more unopposed estrogen which causes them to experience rapid growth of their fibroids.
Many fibroids cause no symptoms and are only discovered when a woman has a routine pelvic examination. However, if you do experience fibroid symptoms, medical attention is necessary. Symptoms may include:
•Heavy, prolonged monthly periods, sometimes with clots
•Fatigue, secondary to a low blood count
•Pain or pressure between the hip bones or in the back of the legs
•Pain during sexual intercourse
•Frequent need to urinate
•Constipation or bloating
•An enlarged belly
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, we invite you to call our office today for a consultation to determine whether UFE is an option for you.
