Division OverviewClinical SynopsisResearch SynopsisPostgraduate Training

 Division Overview

Built on a heritage of over 75 years of care to the patient with vascular disease, the Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy maintains the tradition initiated by its founders of forward-looking excellence in clinical and research endeavors. The division has shifted from open to catheter-based surgical interventions whenever possible, with division surgeons being recognized as national leaders in training, research, and the performance of endovascular procedures.

Division chief Elliot L. Chaikof, MD, PhD, received his MD at Johns Hopkins, completed his general surgical training at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1991, and received his PhD in chemical engineering from MIT in 1989. Upon completing his vascular surgery residency at Emory in 1992, he joined the Department of Surgery. He was responsible for establishing the first Emory program directed at the repair of aortic aneurysm using endovascular therapy. Dr. Chaikof currently serves as a member of scientific study sections for the NIH and the AHA and has served or currently serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Vascular Surgery, Annals of Vascular Surgery, Vascular, and Cardiovascular Pathology.

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 Clinical Synopsis

Division faculty and five physician assistants/nurse practitioners, four vascular surgery fellows, and two PGY-4s, two PGY-2s, and one PGY-1 general surgery resident provide comprehensive operative, endovascular, and medical therapy for all forms of venous and arterial disease at Emory University Hospital and the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The vascular service has special expertise in stroke prevention directed at the treatment of carotid artery disease; the management of aneurysmal disease of the thoracic and abdominal aorta; and therapy directed towards both peripheral arterial disease of renal, mesenteric, and lower extremity arteries. Specialized areas of excellence also exist in the areas of acute venous thrombosis and chronic venous insufficiency.

Diagnostic imaging services are provided through the nationally-accredited Emory Non-Invasive Vascular Laboratory, which is part of the vascular surgery outpatient complex at The Emory Clinic. The lab's diagnostic capabilities include duplex ultrasound, segmental pressure, and velocity waveform studies.

During the past year, the division cared for 8,591 patients in its outpatient clinics; 4,962 patients in its non-invasive vascular labs; and performed major vascular and endovascular surgeries on 2,261 patients, including over 350 aortic aneurysm repairs, 200 carotid artery interventions, and 300 reconstructive procedures for lower extremity arterial disease.

Detailed clinical information is also available on the division's website hosted by Emory Healthcare.

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 Research Synopsis

The Emory Vascular Research Program conducts multiple clinical investigations in such areas as endovascular therapy for thoracic and abdominal aneurysms, new minimally invasive strategies for treatment of arterial and venous disease including carotid angioplasty and stenting, and the assessment of new drug therapies for all forms of vascular disease. Four clinical research coordinators support these investigations.

The basic science research program has received over 14 million dollars of funding from the NIH over the past 10 years. Other sponsors include the NSF and the JDRF. The program is integrated with the Department of Biomedical Engineering at both Georgia Tech and Emory and the Department of Chemistry at Emory University. Projects are ongoing in the areas of reparative medicine, organ fabrication, and the design of engineered living systems.

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 Postgraduate Training

For those residents who wish to pursue a career in vascular surgery and refine their diagnostic skills, clinical judgment, and both catheter and surgical techniques, the division sponsors an ACGME-approved two-year residency in vascular surgery and endovascular therapy. Residents are encouraged to participate in basic science and clinical research endeavors throughout their residency. In addition to an established didactic program that includes clinical and basic science conferences and journal club, the presence of a distinguished visiting professor program and the J.C. Thoroughman Lectureship provides residents with the opportunity to interact with current leaders in the field of vascular surgery outside of Emory University. Moreover, residents routinely attend quarterly meetings of the Atlanta Vascular Society, which provides another venue for visiting guest lecturers in vascular surgery and endovascular therapy.

Established in 1969 as one of the first residency programs in the country, Emory University has graduated 61 residents in vascular surgery. The number of major operations performed over a two year period by each of the residents who have graduated during the last three years, as percentiled against all vascular surgery residents in the United States, are summarized as follows: YR 2007: (723) 90%, (766) 95%, YR 2006: (665) 80%, YR 2005: (737) 95%. Having attained broad experience in both minimally invasive and traditional vascular procedures, graduating residents have accepted positions in leading academic centers and in private practice throughout the United States. Over the past 15 years, 40% of our fellows have pursued academic careers and many are now division heads and program directors.

Inquiries regarding the vascular residency should be directed to Elliot L. Chaikof, MD, PhD, or to Valerie Panditaratne, administrative assistant for the residency program, at 404.727.8413. Applications are only accepted through the ERAS system.

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