Department of Surgery

Division of Vascular Surgery
Research and Clinical Trials

Each day, UPMC’s physicians and scientists collaborate to explore and develop new and exciting treatments and technologies in the field of vascular medicine and surgery.

Basic laboratory research is an integral part of the academic mission of the Division of Vascular Surgery. Our physicians and researchers consistently are at the cutting edge, employing new technologies and treatments for the benefit of patients. The scope of research involves bioengineering, molecular biology, gene therapy, methods of inhibiting new intimal hyperplasia, and other aspects of vascular biology.

The clinical research unit has been growing considerably as we continue to explore less invasive ways to treat both abdominal aortic aneurysms and descending thoracic aortic aneurysms via endovascular methods. Gene therapy is being studied as a means to promote wound healing and a possible remedy for patients with claudication. Various oral medications also are being investigated for the treatment of claudication, deep venous thrombosis, and infections. Our clinical research has a strong and committed corporate sponsorship with a continual tide of projects to undertake.

More Research Information. Read a sampling of each physician’s research interests and a few recent publications.

Michel Makaroun, MD

Research Interests: Aortic and thoracic aneurysm pathology and repair, innovations in endovascular aneurysm repair, carotid stenting, and vascular surgery education

Barbato JE, Kim JY, Zenati M, Abu-Hamad G, Rhee RY, Makaroun MS, Cho JS: Contemporary results of open repair of ruptured descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. J Vasc Surg 2007;45:667-76

Peterson BG, Matsumura JS, Brewster DC, Makaroun MS for the Excluder Bifurcated Endoprosthesis investigators: Five year report of a multicenter controlled clinical trial of open vs. endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. J Vasc Surg 2007;45:885-90

Bavaria JE, Appoo JJ, Makaroun MS, Verter J, Yu ZF, Mitchell RS for the Gore TAG Investigators. Endovascular stent grafting versus open surgical repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms in low-risk patients: a multicenter comparative trial. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2007 133:369-77.

Speelman L, Bohra A, Bosboom EM, Schurink GWH, Van de Vosse FN, Makaroun MS, Vorp DA: Effects of Wall Calcifications in Patient-Specific Wall Stress Analyses of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms. J Biomed Eng 2007;129:105-9

Van De Geest JP, Dillavou ED, Di Martino ES, Oberdier M, Bohra A, Makaroun MS, Vorp DA. Gender-related differences in the tensile strength of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006 1085:400-2.

Robert Rhee, MD

Research interests: Treatment of aortic and thoracic aneurysms, minimally invasive treatment of peripheral artery disease, innovations in technology for treatment of arterial blockage

Haider S, Najjar S, Cho JS, Rhee, RY, Eskandari MK, Matsumura JS, Makaroun MS, and Morasch M Sac Behavior Following Aneurysm Treatment with the Gore Excluder Low-Permeability Aortic Endoprosthesis: Twelve Month Comparison to the Original Excluder Device J Vascular Surgery 2006

Compton C, Dillavou E, Sheehan M, Rhee RY, Makaroun MS. Is abdominal aortic aneurysm repair appropriate in oxygen-dependent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients? J Vascular Surgery 2005 Oct;42(4):650-3.

Raman KG, Layne S, Makaroun MS, Rhee RY, Tzeng E, Muluk SC. Disease Progression is common after carotid endarterectomy. J Vasc Surg 2004;39:52-7

Cho JS, Dillavou ED, Rhee RY, Makaroun MS. Late abdominal aortic aneurysm enlargement after endovascular repair with the Excluder device. J Vasc Surg. 2004 Jun;39(6):1236-41

Sheehan MK, Barbato J, Compton CN, Zajko A, Rhee RY, Makaroun MS. Effectiveness of coiling in the treatment of endoleaks after endovascular repair. J Vasc Surg. 2004 Sep;40(3):430-4.

David Steed, MD

Research Interests: Wound healing, gene therapy for wound healing

Freeswick P, Yamasaki K, Watkins S, Billiar TR, Webster MW, Steed DL. Expression patterns of IL-1 and TNF nonchronic and chronic human wounds. Surgical Forum 46:751-753, 1995.

Vorp DA, Severyn DA, Steed DL, Webster MW. A novel perfusion apparatus to study the effects of cyclic twist and longitudinal extension on vascular physiology. Advances in Bioengineering 31:359-360, 1995.

St. Jean PL, Henney AM, Zhang XC, Hart BK, Webster MW, Steed DL, Ferrell RE. 92 kDa Type IV collagenase in aortic aneurysmal disease and assignment of CLG4B to chromosome 20. Matrix Biology 14:421-422, 1994.

St. Jean PL, Hart B, Zhang XC, Webster MW, Steed DL, Ferrell RE. Genetic analysis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Am J Hum Genet 55(suppl):A166, 1994.

Steed D. Clinical results of trials with PDGF. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 1994.

Edith Tzeng, MD

Research Interests: Blocking intimal hyperplasia following vascular disease

Zuckerbraun B, Stoyanovski D, Sengupta R, Shapiro R, Ozanich B, Rao J, Barbato J, Tzeng E. Nitric oxide –induced inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation involves S-nitrosation and inactivation of RhoA. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2006 Aug 16; [Epub ahead of print].

Raman KG, Barbato JE, Ifedigbo E, Ozanich BS, Zenati MS, Otterbein LE, Tzeng E. Inhaled carbon monoxide inhibits intimal hyperplasia and provides added benefit with nitric oxide. J Vasc Surg 2006; 44:151-158.

Boules TN, Compton CN, Stanziale SF, Sheehan MK, Dillavou ED, Gupta N, Tzeng E, Makaroun MS. Can computed tomography scan findings predict “impending” aneurysm rupture? Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2006; 40:41-7.

Barbato JE, Zuckerbraun BS, Overhaus M, Raman KG, Tzeng E. Nitric oxide modulates vascular inflammation and intimal hyperplasia in insulin-resistance and the metabolic syndrome. Am J Physiol. 2005; 289:H228-36.

Zuckerbraun BS, Barbato JE, Sebti S, Tzeng E. Geranylgeranyl transferase inhibition decreases generation of reactive oxygen species and increases nitric oxide production by vascular smooth muscle cells. J Surg Res. 2005; 124:256-263.

David Vorp, PhD

Research Interests: Bioengineering studies of abdominal aortic aneurysms, three dimensional reconstruction of abdominal aortic aneurysms, use of physiologic biomechanical forces to optimize development of a tissue strengthening treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms, development of a bioengineering-based clinical tool for the evaluation of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Nieponice A, Maul TM, Cumer JM, Soletti L, Vorp DA, “Mechanical Stimulation Induces Morphological and Phenotypic Changes in Bone Marrow-derived Progenitor Cells within a Three-dimensional Fibrin Matrix,” J Biomed Mat Res 81(3):523-30, 2007.

Prantil RL, Jankowski RJ, Kaiho Y, de Groat WC, Chancellor MB, Yoshimura N, Vorp DA, “Ex Vivo Biomechanical Properties of the Female Urethra in a Rat Model of Birth Trauma,” Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 292(4):F1229-37, 2007.

Santelices LC, Calano SJ, Erhart JC, Prantil RL, Vorp DA, Ahearn JM, “Experimental System for Ex Vivo Measurement of Murine Aortic Stiffness,” Physiol Meas 28:N39-N49, 2007.

VanEpps J and Vorp DA, “Mechanopathobiology of Atherogenesis: A Review,” J Surg Res 142:202-217, 2007.

Stankus J, Soletti L, Vorp DA, Hong Y, Fujimoto K, “Fabrication of Cell Microintegrated Blood Vessel Constructs through Electrohydrodynamic Atomization,” Biomaterials (in press).

Jae Sung Cho, MD

Research Interests: Optimizing the care of thoracic and abdominal aneurysm patients, use of IVC filters, innovations in thoracic aneurysm repair, thoracic outlet syndrome

Carr JA, Cho JS. Low Molecular Weight Heparin Suppresses Tumor Necrosis Factor Expression from Deep Vein Thrombosis. Ann Vasc Surg 2007; 21: 50-55.

Smaldone, MC, Stein, RJ, Cho JS, Leng, WW. Giant Idiopathic Renal Arteriovenous Fistula Requiring Urgent Nephrectomy Urology 2007; 69: 576.e1–576.e3.

Barbato JE, Kim JY, Mazen Z, Abu-Hamad G, Rhee RY, Makaroun MS, Cho JS. Contemporary results of open repair of ruptured descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. J Vasc Surg 2007; 45: 667-676.

Haider S, Najjar SF, Cho JS, Rhee RY, Eskandari MK, Matsumura JS, Makaroun MS, Morasch, MD. Sac behavior after aneurysm treatment with the Gore Excluder low-permeability aortic endoprosthesis: 12-month comparison to the original Excluder device. J Vasc Surg 2006; 44:694-700.

Cho JS, Haider S, Makaroun MS. Endovascular Therapy of Thoracic Aneurysms: Gore TAG trial results. Semin in Vasc Surg 2006;19:18-24.

Steven A. Leers, MD

Research Interests: vascular laboratory, limb salvage surgery, and dialysis access. Dr. Leers is one of the foremost national figures in vascular laboratory testing.

Papasavas, P, Reifsnyder, T, Leers, SA, Prediction of Arteriovenous Access Steal Syndrome Utilizing Digital Pressure Measurements. Vascular and Endovascular Surgery 2003; 37: 179-184.

Leers, SA, Blackburn, DR, Burnham, SJ, Cardullo, PA, Jones, AM, Zierler, RE. Vascular Technology in Evolution: Results of the 1994 ADRMS Task Surgery, Journal of Vascular Technology, Vol. 19 (3), 127-145, 1995.

Reifsnyder, T, Grossman, JP, Leers, SA, Limb Loss After Lower Extremity Bypass, American Journal of Surgery, Vol. 174: 149-151, 1997.

Leers, SA, Reifsnyder, T, Delmonte, R, Carone, M. Realistic Expectations for Pedal Bypass in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease, Journal of Vascular Surgery, Vol. 28: 976-983, 1998.

Patterson, R.P., Leers, SA, Gagne, P., “Is Vascular Surgery in Danger of Losing the Vascular Laboratory?” Journal of Vascular Surgery, Vol. 36: 639-641, 2002.

Navyash Gupta, MD

Research Interests: Tissue engineering for creation of vascular conduit, dialysis access use, limb salvage, and medical and surgical education

Di Martino ES, Bohra A, Vande Geest J, Gupta N, Makaroun MS, Vorp DA. Biomechanical properties of ruptured versus electively repaired abdominal aortic aneurysm wall tissue. J Vascular Surgery 2006; 43: 570-576.

Boules TN, Compton CN, Stanziale SF, Sheehan MK, Dillavou ED, Gupta N, Tzeng E, Makaroun MS. Can Computed Tomography Scan Findings Predict “Impending” Aneurysm Rupture? Vasc and Endovasc Surg 2006; 40 (1): 41-47.

Song AY, Myers EN, Gupta N. A case of mistaken identity: Intraoperative discovery of an extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm. Ann Vasc Surg 2005; 19: 896-899.

Dillavou ED, Muluk SC, Rhee RY, Tzeng E, Woody JD, Gupta N, Makaroun MS. Does Hostile neck anatomy preclude successful endovascular aortic aneurysm repair? J Vascular Surgery 2003; 38: 657-663.

Meyerson SL, Haider SA, Gupta N, O’Dorsio JE, McKinsey JF, Schwartz LB. Abdominal aortic aneurysm with aorta-left renal vein fistula with left variocele. J Vascular Surgery 2000; 31:802-805.

Stanley Hirsch, MD

Research Interests: Methods of venous ablation, healing of venous ulcers, minimally invasive venous surgery

Jarrett F., Hirsch S.A.: Reoperation for Complications of Stabilized Human Umbilical Vein Grafts. American Journal Surgery 1989, 158:438-42.

Wright, K.C., Nicholas, J.J., Hirsch, S.A.: Functional Assessment of Liver transplantation Candidates: A Preliminary Report, Abstract, Proceedings of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, November, 1988, p. 121.

Hirsch, S.A., Englehardt, K.G., Edwards, R., Weitzman, L., Kuntz, D.B. Robotic vocational workstation. Presented at the National Association of Rehabilitation Facilities Annual Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico, June 1988.

Jarrett, F., Hirsch, S.A., eds., Vascular Surgery of the Lower Extremity C.V. Mosby Co., St. Louis, 1985.

Jarrett, F., Hirsch, S.A., Steed, D., Boehnke, M.: Small Bowel Obstruction caused by Intraluminal Migration of Prosthetic Grafts. J. Vascular Surgery 2:2-477-479, May 1985.

Luke K. Marone, MD

Research Interests: Minimally invasive revascularization of the lower extremity, vascular device innovation, treatment of aortic aneurysms

Stanziale SF, Marone LK, Boules TN, Brimmeier JA, Hill K, Makaroun MS, Wholey MH. “Carotid Artery Stenting in Octogenarians is associated with increased adverse outcomes.” J Vasc Surg 2006;43: 297-304.

Boules TN, Selzer F, Stanziale SF, Chomic A, Marone LK, Dillavou ED, Makaroun MS. “Endovascular Management of Isolated Iliac Artery Aneurysms.” J Vasc Surg 2006;44:29-37.

Sayeed S, Marone LK, Makaroun MS. “The Gore Excluder endograft device for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.” J Cardiovasc Surg 2006; 47(3):251-260.

Marone LK, Clouse WD, Dorer DJ, Brewster DC, LaMuraglia GM, Watkins MT, Kwolek CJ, Cambria RP. “Preservation of Renal Function by Surgical Revascularization in Patients with Atherosclerotic Renovascular Disease.” J Vasc Surg 2004;39:322-29.

Clouse WD, Brewster DC, Marone LK, Cambria RP, LaMuraglia GM, Watkins MT, Kwolek CJ, Fan CM, Geller SC. “Durability of aorto-uniiliac endografting with femorofemoral crossover:4-year experience in the EVT/Guidant trials.” J Vasc Surg 2003; 37:1142-9.

Ellen D. Dillavou, MD

Research Interests: Gender differences in vascular disease, use of national databases to describe trends in vascular disease, innovations in treatment of varicose vein disease

Dillavou ED, Cambria RP, Wheatley G, Makaroun MS. Five-Year Results of Endovascular Treatment Compared to Open Repair of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms. Journal of Vascular Surgery. In review.

Vande Geest JP. Dillavou ED. DI Martino ES. Oberdier M. Bohra A. Makaroun MS. Vorp DA. Gender-related differences in the tensile strength of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1085:400-2, 2006.

Boules TN, Selzer F, Stanziale SF, Chomic A, Marone LK, Dillavou ED, Makaroun MS. Endovascular management of isolated iliac artery aneurysms. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 44:29-37, 2006.

Boules TN, Compton CN, Stanziale SF, Sheehan MK, Dillavou ED, Gupta N, Tzeng E, Makaroun MS. Can computed tomography scan findings predict "impending'' aneurysm rupture? Vascular & Endovascular Surgery. 40(1):41-7, 2006.

Dillavou ED, Muluk SC, Makaroun MS. A Decade of Change in AAA Repair in the US: Have We Improved Outcomes Equally Among Men and Women? Journal of Vascular Surgery, 43:230-8, 2006.

Ghassan Abu-Hamad, MD

Research Interests: Limb salvage, aortic aneurysm pathology and treatment

Bassiouny H.S., Krienvins D., Glagov D., Abu Hamad G, Zarins CK. Distal Arteriovenous Fistula Inhibits Experimental Anastomotic Intimal Thickening. Surg. Forum 7.345-346,1993. 

Abu Hamad G. Diabetic Foot Management. WHO & Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. National Training Guidelines for Diabetes Management. 1st edition: 2000.

Ernst CB, Elliott JP, Ryan CJ, Abu Hamad G, Tilley B, Murphy R, Smith R, Reddy D, Szilagyi E. Recurrent Femoral Anastomotic Aneurysms: A Thirty Year Experience. Annals of Surgery 208.401-409,1988.

Abu Hamad G, Ernst CB. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms. Cameron Current Surgical Therapy 4th Edition: 663-667, 1992.

Rabih A. Chaer, MD

Research Interests: Limb salvage and minimally invasive techniques of leg revascularization, carotid stenting, treatment of aortic aneurysms

Chaer RA, Makaroun MS, Chedrawy EG, Abdelhady K, Lele H, Massad MG. Endovascular Treatment of Aortic Aneurysms: Techniques and Clinical Update. Cardiology. 2007 Aug 30;109(3):145-153.

DeRubertis BG, Faries PL, McKinsey JF, Chaer RA, Pierce M, Karwowski J, Weinberg A, Nowygrod R, Morrissey NJ, Bush HL, Kent KC. Shifting paradigms in the treatment of lower extremity vascular disease: a report of 1000 percutaneous interventions.
Ann Surg. 2007 Sep;246(3):415-22; discussion 422-4.

Chaer RA, Derubertis BG, Lin SC, Bush HL, Karwowski JK, Birk D, Morrissey NJ, Faries PL, McKinsey JF, Kent KC. Simulation improves resident performance in catheter-based intervention: results of a randomized, controlled study. Ann Surg. 2006 Sep;244(3):343-52.

Chaer RA, Derubertis BG, Trocciola SM, Lin SC, Hynecek R, Bush HL Jr, Morrissey NJ, McKinsey JF, Kent KC, Faries PL. Safety and efficacy of carotid angioplasty and stenting in high-risk patients. Am Surg. 2006 Aug;72(8):694-8; discussion 698-9.

Chaer RA, Dayal R, Lin SC, Trocciola S, Morrissey NJ, McKinsey J, Kent KC, Faries PL. Multimodal therapy for acute and chronic venous thrombotic and occlusive disease. Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2005 Sep-Oct;39(5):375-80.

Ulka Sachdev, MD

Research Interests: The role of innate immunity in promoting angiogenesis after ischemic injury, the role of nitric oxide and by-products in the pathogenesis of intimal hyperplasia

Sachdev U, Namkoong S, Gladstone C, Tzeng, E. HMGB-1 induces pro-angiogenic effects in endothelial cells: Implications for lower extremity ischemia. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 2007;205(3):S108.

Sachdev U, MD, Baril D, MD, Morrissey, N, MD, Silverberg D, MD, Jacobs, T, MD, Carroccio A, MD, Ellozy S, MD, Marin M, MD. Endovascular Repair of Para-anastomotic Aortic Aneurysms. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 2007; 46(4):636-41.

Baril DT, Carroccio A, Ellozy S, Palchik E, Sachdev U, Jacobs T, Marin M. Evolving Strategies for the Treatment of Aortoenteric Fistulas. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 2006;44(2):250-257.

Sachdev U, MD, Baril D, MD, Ellozy S, MD, Lookstein R, MD, Silverberg D, MD, Jacobs T, MD, Carroccio A, MD, Teodorescu V, MD, Marin M, MD. Management of Aneurysms of the Superior Mesenteric Artery and Celiac Artery: Surgical and Endovascular Therapy. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 2006;44(4):718-724.

Sachdev U, Teodorescu V, Shao M, Russo T, Carroccio A, Ellozy S, Marin M. Incidence and Distribution of Lower Extremity DVT in Rehabilitation Patients: Implications for Screening. Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 2006; 40(3):205-211.