Vascular Center's Debuts Opening with Minimally Invasive Treatment
EVERGREEN PARK, Ill. -August 29, 2008- Little Company of Mary's Vascular Center celebrated its grand opening this past July. Under the direction of Medical Director, Joseph R. Durham, M.D., F.A.C.S., the Center offers a comprehensive vascular care program for patients. Dr. Durham, an expert in vascular diagnoses and treatment, was excited to bring the Center to Chicago's Southwest area. Dr. Durham's first patient was immediately diagnosed with a serious vascular problem, which validated the Southwest area's need for this type of service.
Harry Linton, of Dolton, initially saw his primary doctor, Dr. John Elsen, to inquire about pain in his leg that severely progressed to his inability to walk. Dr. Elsen referred him to the Vascular Center where Mr. Linton received a thorough evaluation and non-invasive testing. Dr. Durham obtained an angiogram that confirmed that Harry had a blockage in his left iliac artery - the large artery in the pelvis that carries blood to the lower limb, a condition called arterioscleosis.
Due the comprehensive services available at LCMH, Dr. Durham was able to offer Mr. Linton an alternative to surgery, which typically is the most common form of treatment. The alternative procedure proved much less invasive and was available through the expertise of Dr. Jonathan Levine and Dr. Danilo Martinez, Interventional Radiologists. Performing an iliac artery recanalization, Mr. Linton was treated with a primary stent placement that restored normal blood flow to his leg. 'This minimally invasive procedure provided an excellent clinical outcome for Harry and saved him from the additional risks of invasive surgery and an increased recovery period,' said Dr. Levine. Mr. Linton has already enjoyed a full recovery.
Through the collaboration of Dr. Elsen, Dr. Durham as well as Dr. Levine and Dr. Martinez, Harry can now walk without experiencing pain. Dr. Durham says, 'The benefit of LCM's Vascular Center is our close working relationships with other multidisciplinary areas. Having a vascular specialist who can serve as the quarterback of the treatment team is certainly a winning combination for patients.' Mr. Linton agreed by adding, 'Those doctors know what they are doing. They helped me get back on my feet and I'm grateful to them.'
To receive evaluation and treatment at LCM's Vascular Center, please contact your primary care doctor for a referral or call 708.229.4800. An average wait time is only 3-4 days, compared to several weeks at other facilities.
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Little Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers (www.LCMH.org), is a Catholic, not-for-profit hospital based in Evergreen Park. For nearly 80 years, Little Company of Mary has delivered compassionate care to Chicago's Southwest area. While there's always going to be a certain level of pain with any surgery or treatment, Little Company of Mary is committed to finding new ways of reducing it. From minimally invasive techniques that fight cancer with a quicker recovery to a caring approach with better patient communication and convenient access, our team of experts is constantly making the experience of health care hassle-free. And every day, whether it's new ways of making you more comfortable or bringing the latest technology right to your neighborhood, we're always moving forward in pursuit of pain-free health care.
