UCSF Cardiologists Lead in ER Angioplasty
UCSF Medical Center ranks as the fastest for treating heart attack patients by using balloon angioplasty, according to a National Cardiovascular Data Registry survey of more than 850 hospitals.

Grant to Improve Heart Failure Care
UCSF has been awarded more than half a million dollars to create a new system for discharging elderly heart failure patients, with the goal of reducing readmissions by 30 percent.

Perspective: Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

Peripheral artery disease is under diagnosed and often inadequately treated. Multidisciplinary collaboration improves decision making, ensures thorough evaluation and management of global atherosclerosis, and optimizes short- and long-term outcomes.

Aggressive Diagnosis and Medical Management Best for Asymptomatic PAD

Patients who are 70 or older, are diabetic and smoke or have other vascular symptoms may also have asymptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). Examination of legs and feet, a pulse exam and an ankle-brachial index may lead to a diagnosis.

Managing Claudication: Addressing the Double Threat of PAD and CVD

Claudication is sometimes the first sign that an individual has cardiovascular disease (CVD), on top of their peripheral artery disease (PAD). Patients with both conditions need to be closely followed by vascular specialists and cardiologists.

Case Study: Team Approach Clears Way for Transplant

A 57-year-old man referred to UCSF for transplant evaluation was quickly found to have extensive ischemic heart disease, in addition to kidney disease and claudication in both legs. Teamwork carried out aggressive treatment for volume removal, atherectomy and angioplasty, and finally femoral-popliteal artery bypass with a saphenous vein graft. The motivated patient became a candidate for a combined heart and kidney transplant.

Critical Limb Ischemia Is a Call for Revascularization

Treatment of the most severe stage of PAD — critical limb ischemia — should be multifaceted and include medication and lifestyle modifications.

Diabetes and PAD: A Dangerous, but Treatable Condition

With early diagnosis and close monitoring, diabetic patients with PAD can fare as well as nondiabetic patients.

CME Courses

See information on upcoming continuing medical education courses.

Referral Liaison Service

The UCSF Referral Liaison Service provides assistance and information to referring physicians, medical groups and health plans. Please call the Referral Liaison Service or visit www.ucsfhealth.org/healthprofessionals.

Transfer Center

The UCSF Transfer Center is open 24 hours daily to coordinate the transfer of your patients to UCSF Medical Center from hospitals throughout the region.

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