All Publications

  • A novel approach to thoracic endovascular aortic repair using "zone 1.5" deployment of the Gore thoracic branched endoprosthesis device JOURNAL OF VASCULAR SURGERY CASES INNOVATIONS AND TECHNIQUES Satam, K., Fereydooni, A., Sorondo, S., Berens, P., Lee, J. T. 2026; 12 (1)

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jvscit.2025.102026

    View details for Web of Science ID 001643011800001

  • A novel approach to thoracic endovascular aortic repair using "zone 1.5" deployment of the Gore thoracic branched endoprosthesis device. Journal of vascular surgery cases and innovative techniques Satam, K., Fereydooni, A., Sorondo, S., Berens, P., Lee, J. T. 2026; 12 (1): 102026

    Abstract

    The TAG thoracic branched endoprosthesis is Food and Drug Administration approved for zone 2 repair with a branch to the left subclavian artery. Zone 1 repairs require a carotid-subclavian bypass, and zone 0 may necessitate full arch debranching with higher stroke risk. We propose a "zone 1.5" approach: coverage distal to the innominate artery, subclavian branch via the device, and left subclavian-to-left carotid bypass to perfuse the carotid. Among 75 thoracic branched endoprosthesis patients in our registry, three underwent this "zone 1.5" repair with favorable outcomes. This strategy may offer a safer alternative to zone 0 when standard zone 2 or 1 repairs are not feasible.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jvscit.2025.102026

    View details for PubMedID 41492499

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC12765387

  • Mechanical embolectomy of a large iliocaval fat embolus. Journal of vascular surgery cases and innovative techniques Li, R. L., Berens, P., Martinez-Singh, K., Chandra, V. 2025; 11 (5): 101918

    Abstract

    While fat emboli are often small and predominantly impact capillary beds, larger fat emboli can pose a substantial risk of pulmonary embolism. This case demonstrates the management of a large iliocaval fat embolus using endovascular mechanical thrombectomy techniques. The Inari Protrieve and RevCore systems were successfully used to extract a large fat embolus in an 87-year-old woman who had undergone a recent hip surgery.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jvscit.2025.101918

    View details for PubMedID 41064486

  • The Impact of Socioeconomic Metrics on the Outcomes of Endovascular Treatment ofAortic Dissection: A Mediation Analysis Eshraghian, E., Fereydooni, A., Cabot, J., Yang, L., Liu, B., Sorondo, S., Berens, P., Satam, K., Arya, S., Lee, J., George, E. L. MOSBY-ELSEVIER. 2025: E117-E119

    View details for Web of Science ID 001511850100078

  • A Standardized, Scalable, and Automated Open-source CT AAA Diameter Measurement Tool Using Deep Learning Journal of Vascular Surgery Rao, A., Blankemeier, L., Berens, P., Fereydooni, A., Chaudhari, A., Aalami, O. 2024; 79 (6)
  • Endovascular ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm repair under image fusion guidance and transcranial Doppler monitoring. Journal of vascular surgery cases and innovative techniques Fitzgerald, L. A., El Nihum, L. I., Berens, P. M., Chinnadurai, P., Garami, Z., Atkins, M. D. 2022; 8 (3): 425-428

    Abstract

    We describe a 78-year-old woman with a large ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair under intraoperative image fusion guidance and real-time transcranial Doppler (TCD) monitoring. TCD monitoring revealed a total of 419 microembolic signals throughout the procedure, with the majority occurring as the first stent graft crossed the ascending aorta. Two days later, she underwent endovascular repair of a graft type IA endoleak. We highlight the role of image fusion guidance and TCD monitoring in enabling successful thoracic endovascular aortic repair in an elderly woman and in identifying procedural areas of improvement to minimize stroke risk.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jvscit.2022.06.009

    View details for PubMedID 35996732

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9391500

  • Image fusion-guided percutaneous transthoracic embolization of ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm. JTCVS techniques Dattagupta, A., Berens, P. M., Ramchandani, M. K., Lumsden, A. B., Chinnadurai, P., Wyler von Ballmoos, M. C. 2022; 13: 1-3

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.xjtc.2022.03.006

    View details for PubMedID 35711191

  • From education to action: Development and evaluation of a student-directed service learning program. Medical teacher Wong, C. K., Berens, P. M., Katta, M. V., Lie, M., Fall, D., Shah, A., Deen, S., Joshi, M., Keenahan, L., Appelbaum, N., Huynh, P. B., Poythress, E. L. 2022; 44 (5): 541-545

    Abstract

    Service learning consists of service activities that respond to community-identified concerns, active learning about the population being served, and self-reflecting on the experience. The Service Learning Program (SLP) is a novel, student-led, longitudinal volunteering experience designed to address social determinants of health (SDOH) education in the undergraduate medical school curriculum. In this program, medical students complete requirements in three domains of service, education, and self-reflection over the span of one academic year.Participating students are sent surveys prior to and after a year of participation in SLP, which are aimed to measure changes in their perceived knowledge, attitudes, and skills in multiple domains related to service learning and social determinants of health.Over the course of the 2019-2020 year, 110 students who participated in SLP responded to both pre- and post-surveys. These students reported significant improvements in their confidence in various knowledge and skills related to SDOH, such as identifying vulnerable populations and assessing community needs. They also were more likely to report that learning about social determinants of health was 'very important' after participating the program.Medical students participating in a longitudinal service learning program focused on SDOH can acquire knowledge and skills that will empower them to understand, advocate, and care for underserved populations as future physicians. This program provides a model for integrating service learning into undergraduate medical education.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/0142159X.2021.2005242

    View details for PubMedID 34808073

  • A LOW-COST, OPEN-SOURCE SOLUTION TO THE COVID-19 VENTILATOR SHORTAGE Danna, M., George, E., Ranganathan, S., Richards, Z. I., Sims, R., Berens, P. M., Deshpande, P. S., Gnanashanmugam, S., Amer Soc Mech Engineers AMER SOC MECHANICAL ENGINEERS. 2022

    View details for Web of Science ID 000886771600054

  • A Large Mediastinal Mass in a Young Woman: A Case of Giant Coronary Artery Aneurysm. The Annals of thoracic surgery Spooner, A. J., Berens, P. M., Reardon, M. J., Wyler von Ballmoos, M. C. 2021; 112 (6): e443-e445

    Abstract

    We report the case of a 23-year-old female patient with recurrent episodes of chest and back pain. A cardiac mass of uncertain etiology was discovered and she was referred to our multidisciplinary cardiac tumor team. Pathologic analysis from the surgical specimen confirmed this mass was a giant aneurysm of the left anterior descending artery.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2021.02.085

    View details for PubMedID 33741325

  • Remote versus early corticosteroid wean outcomes in heart transplant recipients in the contemporary era. Clinical transplantation Salgado, B. C., Fida, N., Krisl, J., Berens, P. M., Graviss, E. A., Nguyen, D. T., Hussain, I., Kim, J. H., Suarez, E., Trachtenberg, B., Torre-Amione, G., Bhimaraj, A., Guha, A. 2021; 35 (8): e14382

    Abstract

    The risks and benefits of remote corticosteroid weaning in heart transplant recipients more than 2 years post-transplant are unknown. We compared outcomes in patients undergoing early and remote steroid weaning after heart transplantation.We performed a retrospective study (range 09, 1991-04, 2017). Primary outcomes included short-term and long-term mortality, allograft dysfunction, and burden of rejection. Secondary outcomes included impact on hemoglobin A1c, lipid panel, bone scan T-score, and body mass index.63 patients underwent corticosteroid weaning between 2012 and 2017. Outcomes of patients weaned early (n = 34; median time from transplant = 1.1 years) were compared with those weaned late (n = 29; median time from transplant = 4.4 years). 52 (82.5%) patients were successfully weaned off corticosteroids. No statistically significant difference in outcomes was found between the early and late weaning groups (p = .20). There were no differences in allograft function (p-value = .16), incidence of rejection (p = .46), or mortality (p = .15). Improvement in metabolic profile was seen in both groups but was not statistically significant.In heart transplant recipients, remote vs early weaning of corticosteroids is not associated with significant differences in graft function or the incidence of rejection after 1-year follow-up. Moreover, there were no significant differences in survival up to 3 years between the two groups.

    View details for DOI 10.1111/ctr.14382

    View details for PubMedID 34101911

  • Potential of Metformin to Improve Cardiac Risk in Postpartum Women with Gestational Diabetes. Frontiers in medicine Viteri, O. A., Sallman, M. A., Berens, P. M., Berens, P. D., Amro, F. H., Hutchinson, M. S., Ramin, S. M., Blackwell, S. C., Refuerzo, J. S., Smith, J. A. 2017; 4: 180

    Abstract

    Pregnancy is associated with an increase in total cholesterol, high density lipoproteins (HDL), and low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Postpartum, HDL and LDL decrease over the first 12 weeks postpartum. Oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) is a marker of oxidative stress-related inflammation, which is associated with obesity and also with development of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular protection and weight loss are benefits from metformin, especially in women with diabetes. The objective of this study was to compare changes in lipid profiles and biomarkers for obesity during the initial 6 weeks postpartum between women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) treated with metformin versus placebo.This was a planned ancillary study of a randomized controlled trial compares metformin versus placebo in women with GDM for postpartum weight loss. Two 3 mL blood samples were collected within 24 h of delivery and 6 weeks postpartum immediately processed after collection then stored at -20°C until completion of clinical trial prior to analysis. Change in the median plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, HDL, ox-LDL, glucose, insulin, leptin, and unacylated ghrelin were compared between study groups.Of the 77 postpartum women were included, 35 received metformin and 42 received placebo. There was less of a reduction in HDL in the metformin group compared to placebo (-2.3 versus -7.5 mg/dL, p = 0.019). In addition, there was a greater reduction in ox-LDL in those receiving metformin (-12.2 versus -3.8 mg/dL, p = 0.038). No other differences were observed in the selected biomarkers evaluated.Biomarker levels of HDL and ox-LDL were positively affected during the initial 6 weeks postpartum in GDM women treated with metformin. Additional studies with a longer duration of metformin treatment in the postpartum period are warranted to evaluate long-term potential benefits.

    View details for DOI 10.3389/fmed.2017.00180

    View details for PubMedID 29164116

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5670110