New York University Medical Center has been in the forefront in the treatment of vascular disease for over three decades. The list of contributions to the understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease are vast and individuals associated with these contributions have been national leaders in the fields of neurology, cardiac surgery; vascular surgery, radiology and nursing. This multidisciplinary approach to vascular problems is reflected in wide participation by radiologists, vascular surgeons, internists and nurse specialists in Vascular Conference, Hemangioma and AVM Clinics.

The Division of Vascular Surgery at NYUMC, directed by Thomas S. Riles, M.D., is one of the most active vascular services on the East Coast. In addition to the 1,000 admissions to Tisch Hospital each year, the services at Bellevue and the Manhattan VA represent another 500 admissions. Interests of the division include: (1) pathology of the atherosclerotic plaque; (2) validation of preoperative tests used in cerebrovascular surgery, preoperative assessment of cardiac disease in patients undergoing vascular surgery, operative technique for carotid, vertebral and aortic surgery, postoperative complications and long-term results after vascular surgery; (3) management of AIDS patients undergoing vascular access surgery and thromboembolic disease of the venous system; and (4) management of patients with congenital arteriovenous malformations. Dr. Riles is one of 15 principal investigators in a national randomized study of the use of endovascular grafts for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Dr. Riles and Robert J. Rosen, M.D. are currently involved in six investigations: (1) a prospective randomized study comparing the Endograft System to conventional surgery for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms; (2) Thrombolytic therapy and thoracic outlet decompressions for the management of spontaneous axillary vein thrombosis; (3) Patch angioplasty and application: alternatives to intraoperative imaging for the prevention of postoperative thrombosis and residual stenosis after carotid endarterectomy; (4) late results of percutaneous balloon angioplasty for tibial and peroneal artery stenosis; (5) comparison of early and delayed carotid endarterectomy after acute stroke; (6) a follow-up study of patients under the age of 55 who have undergone carotid surgery for symptomatic or asymptomatic stenosis.

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