Fall 2008

• Minimally invasive cardiac surgery now available
• Catheter-based ablation offered for patients with A-Fib
• Newly equipped Peds Cath Lab for congenital heart defects
• Ambulatory Surgery Center: Bringing care to the patient
• Pediatric nephrologists offer best dialysis techniques
• New clinic for rare renal diseases
• New dean and CEO for UI Health Care
• One call puts you in touch
• Upcoming CME Activities
• New Faculty

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery now available

The Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery has appointed R. Saeid Farivar, MD, PhD, as director of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery to expand the range of surgical services provided to patients with heart disease through the UI Heart and Vascular Center. Farivar specializes in performing minimally invasive valvular surgery for patients with both aortic and mitral valve diseases. Unlike conventional total sternotomy, the minimally invasive sternotomy applies a small, 4-6 cm median incision of the sternum to reach the diseased valve. It allows surgeons to operate on valvular defects of any type and complexity. Farivar also uses it for atrial fibrillation surgery (the so-called Maze procedure). He trained at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, where he performed over 300 minimally invasive cardiac procedures. His research focus is on neuro protection during cardiopulmonary bypass and the genetics of mitral insufficiency. Patients can be referred to him by calling 800-322-8442.

Catheter-based ablation offered for patients with A-Fib

The arrhythmia service of the UI Heart and Vascular Center, directed by James Martins, MD, professor of internal medicine, performs a catheter-based ablation for patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation. There are about 30 causes for atrial fibrillation, including high blood pressure, mitral valve disease, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and acute pulmonary disease. A common form of the condition is the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (40 percent of cases) that occurs sporadically without concomitant heart disease. Among the treatment modalities, electrophysiological catheter-based ablation provides a high rate of success: up to 70 percent. At UI Hospitals and Clinics, catheter-based ablation is preceded by EP 3D mapping of the left atrium geometry (Figure); the computer-generated model allows for identifying of the ablation spots before the procedure is performed. A complex examination of the patient's condition and exploration of all possible treatment options precedes catheter-based ablation, which is the non-surgical treatment for atrial fibrillation. The five-member team has a five-year experience with the procedure and performs 50 to 100 atrial fibrillation ablations per year. For additional information or to refer a patient, please call UI Consult at 800-322-8442, pager 5463.

Newly equipped Peds Cath Lab for congenital heart defects

The diagnosis and treatment of children with congenital heart disease reached new heights at University of Iowa Children's Hospital when the Pediatric Catheterization Laboratory acquired the newest, state-of-the-art equipment. Abhay Divekar, MD, a specialist in diagnostic and interventional catheterization and director of the laboratory, and Jill Morris, MD, offer the complete spectrum of diagnostic and interventional procedures for patients with congenital heart disease of all ages (children and adults). Ian Law, MD, director of the Pediatric Electrophysiology division, and Nick Von Bergen, MD provide complete electrophysiological treatment for patients with congenital heart disease, including radiofrequency and cryoablation and implantation of pacemaker and ICD devices. The new equipment reduces radiation exposure yet improves resolution. Optimal imaging and resolution improve the ability to perform complex interventions such as closure of septal defects and stent implantation. For further information please call 319-356-3537.

Ambulatory Surgery Center: Bringing care to the patient

The Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) at UI Hospitals and Clinics offers a comprehensive range of ambulatory operations to both adult and pediatric patients. The Center opened in March 2007 on the fourth floor of the Pomerantz Family Pavilion with eight operating rooms equipped with the latest surgical technology, separate pre-op and post-op rooms, and a capacity for over 8,000 cases per year. It is a one-stop check-in, patient-centered facility that serves outpatients who need surgical care and can be discharged the same day. The ASC's greatest assets are its nursing and support staff, as well as the surgeons and anesthesiologists, all faculty with UI Carver College of Medicine, who operate upon patients with diseases of the eye, tonsils, ear and larynx, joints, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract, and the female reproductive organs, or who have cosmetic defects. Recently, the range of ambulatory operations was broadened with the appointment of Erin O'Brien, MD, a specialist in functional endoscopic sinus surgery. For more information, call Lehia Roberts, ASC public relations officer, at 319-356-4828.

Pediatric nephrologists offer best dialysis techniques

The Division of Pediatric Nephrology is the only center in Iowa that offers chronic and acute continuous dialysis techniques for all ages, from newborns to adult- size pediatric patients. These techniques clear toxins from the blood while the patient's kidneys recover in an acute care setting or while the patient awaits a kidney transplant in a chronic setting. These leading edge services became available last Fall after Patrick Brophy, MD, an internationally recognized expert on pediatric critical care dialysis techniques, joined University of Iowa Children's Hospital as director of pediatric nephrology. Recently, the division has been asked to participate in a national study involving the use of therapeutic plasma exchange in the treatment of pediatric sepsis. This technique essentially cleans toxins and inflammatory substances from the entire blood volume and allows replacement of important proteins back to the patient. Early results are promising and may lead to a new treatment for pediatric sepsis, which carries a high morbidity and mortality rate. For more information or to refer a pediatric patient, please call 319-356-7249 or see our Web site: www.uihealthcare.com/depts/med/pediatrics/divisions/nephrology.html

New clinic for rare renal diseases

A new multidisciplinary clinic for rare renal diseases provides an encompassing diagnostic, treatment/prevention, and management center that conducts groundbreaking research and offers resources for patients from all over the U.S. Richard Smith, MD, an otolaryngologist and internationally known researcher specializing in vascular anomalies and kidney diseases, sees patients in the clinic along with pediatric nephrologists Patrick Brophy, MD and Jean Robillard, MD, transplant surgeon Alan Reed, MD, pediatric and adult nephrologist Carla Nester, MD, and adult nephrologist Christie Thomas, MD, PhD. The clinic is supported by the Department of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine Nephrology Services and the UI Organ Transplant Center. Housed in the pediatric subspecialty clinics area, the clinic will initially focus on patients with genetic diseases such as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. The clinic reflects Brophy's and Smith's research focus on the molecular genetics and functional mechanisms of normal and abnormal development of the kidneys and genitourinary tract. For more information or to refer a patient, call 319-356-7249 or see our Web site: http://www.uihealthcare.com/depts/med/pediatrics/
divisions/nephrology.html

New dean and CEO for UI Health Care

Paul Rothman, MD, has been named dean of the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, and Kenneth P. Kates has been named associate vice president and chief executive officer of UI Hospitals and Clinics. Rothman had served as head and professor of internal medicine since 2004. He is an expert in rheumatology and has provided clinical care for more than 20 years, trained medical students, fellows and residents, and published extensively. Kates has more than 30 years of experience in academic health care, including numerous positions at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa., and the University of Chicago Hospitals and Health System in Chicago, Ill. most recently as executive vice president andchief operating officer.

One call puts you in touch

UI Consult is a centralized resource linking health care providers with members of UI Physicians and services at UI Hospitals and Clinics. Whether you are seeking a consultation, are providing a referral, need patient information, or want news about clinical trials or CME courses, a single call is all it takes to put you in touch with the right person. UI Consult is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Simply call 800-322-8442. When referring a patient, you may also fill out an online referral form at www.uihealthcare.com/consult.

Information needed to refer a patient:

• Patient's name
• Address
• Phone number
• Date of birth
• UI Hospitals and Clinics registration number (if born or previously seen here)
• Type of insurance (i.e., HMO, workers' compensation, medical assistance)
• Nature of the medical problem
• Services you would like us to provide

Upcoming CME Activities

For the full list of upcoming UI Carver College of Medicine continuing medical education events, visit: www.medicine.uiowa.edu/cme/ or call the CME office, 319-335-8599.

New Faculty
University of Iowa Health Care is pleased to introduce the following faculty:

Anesthesia

• John Laur, MD
  Clinical focus: Regional anesthesia
• Rashmi Mueller, MD
  Clinical focus: General anesthesia
• Sundara Reddy, MBBS
  Clinical focus: Anesthesia to patients undergoing liver transplantation
• Anil Marian, MD
  Clinical focus: Ambulatory anesthesia
• Martin Mueller, MD
  Clinical focus: Pediatric anesthesia
• Christina Spofford, MD, PhD
  Clinical focus: Regional anesthesia
• Peter Foldes, MD
  Clinical focus: Regional anesthesia

Cardiothoracic Surgery

• Robert Farivar, MD, PhD
  Clinical focus: Minimally invasive cardiac and vascular surgery
• Domenico Calcaterra, MD
  Clinical focus: Surgical interventions in patients with aortic disease

Internal Medicine

• Bogdan Cherascu, MD
  Clinical focus: General clinical rheumatology and clinical epidemiology of the skeletal-muscular system diseases
• Kimberly Baker, MD
  Clinical focus: Interventional bronchoscopy for the non-surgical lung reduction treatment of patients with COPD and lung cancer
• Alejandro Comellas, MD
  Clinical focus: Asthma and critical care
• Birgir Johansson, MD
  Clinical focus: General infectious diseases
• David Stoltz, MD
  Clinical focus: Cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis
• M. Nedim Ince, MD
  Clinical focus: Inflammatory bowel disease

Neurology

• Andrea Swenson, MD
  Clinical focus: Neuromuscular disorders

Obstetrics & Gynecology

• Barbara Stegmann, MD
  Clinical focus: Reproductive endocrinology and infertility

Ophthalmology

• Reid Longmuir,MD
  Clinical focus: Neuro-ophthalmology and glaucoma, visual field testing, optic neuropathies, and optic nerve head analysis
• Vinit Mahajan, MD, PhD
  Clinical focus: Surgical and medical treatment of diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and inherited vitreoretinal disorders
• Susannah Longmuir, MD
  Clinical focus: Pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus

Orthopedics and Rehabilitation

• Phinit Phisitkul, MD
  Clinical focus: Foot and ankle surgery
• Heather Bingham, MD
  Clinical focus: Rehabilitation of neurological patients

Pediatrics

• Liuska Pesce, MD
  Clinical focus: Thyroid, adrenal, and growth and puberty disorders
• Nicholas von Bergen, MD
  Clinical focus: Pediatric electrophysiology
• Kristine Powell, MD
  Clinical focus: Hospitalist
• Shaunna Lyon, MD
  Clinical focus: Hospitalist
• Elizabeth Newall, MD
  Clinical focus: Hospitalist

Radiology

• Eve Clark, MD
  Clinical focus: Abdominal imaging
• Wei Fang, MD
  Clinical focus: Virtual colonoscopy and body imaging

Surgery

• Evgeny Arshava, MD
  Clinical focus: Surgical critical care, trauma