The Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy at Baylor College of Medicine stands at the forefront of innovation and excellence in worldwide vascular research. Our division is renowned for its leadership in vascular surgery and endovascular therapy, collaborating with prestigious institutions such as Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, The Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine, Ben Taub Hospital, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, and Rice University.
Our mission is to advance the field through cutting-edge research, ensuring that our patients benefit from the latest treatment options. Our research program is supported by state-of-the-art resources and funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Society of Vascular Surgery Foundation, the National Science Foundation C2SHIP, Rice University ENRICH and the Department of Veterans Affairs. We conduct comprehensive basic science programs in vascular pathology, peripheral arterial disease research, surgical outcomes, and artificial intelligence application in vascular diseases.
Our commitment to pioneering research is reflected in our active participation in numerous clinical trials, which evaluate novel devices and therapeutic strategies for conditions such as diabetic foot ulcers, aortic graft infections, and peripheral arterial disease including acute limb ischemia and chronic limb threatening ischemia.
Our research efforts in clinical outcomes following surgical or endovascular treatment of diabetic foot wounds, infra-inguinal/vein bypass, lower extremity occlusive disease, and limb salvage, have helped define standards of care in vascular disease management.
Highlights of our clinical trials include:
SCOPE-CLI trial in collaboration with Yale University investigates the effectiveness of different treatment strategies for patients with critical limb ischemia, focusing on both surgical and endovascular interventions. It aims to determine the best approaches to improve limb salvage rates and overall patient outcomes in this high-risk population. Clinical Trials.gov ID: NCT04710563
SELUTION SFA/BTK Trials which are evaluating the efficacy of SELUTION SLR™, a novel sirolimus-eluting balloon catheter, in treating peripheral artery disease. The SELUTION SFA trial focuses on the treatment of superficial femoral artery lesions, while the SELUTION BTK trial investigates the device's effectiveness in below-the-knee arteries, both aiming to provide new minimally invasive options for patients with peripheral vascular disease. Clinical Trials.gov ID: NCT05132361/ NCT05055297
PROMISE II trial with LIMFLOW studies a novel percutaneous deep vein arterialization system designed to restore blood flow to the ischemic foot in patients with critical limb ischemia who have exhausted all other revascularization options. Published in NEJM. Clinical Trials.gov ID: NCT03970538
The MIMICS-3D trial is evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the BioMimics 3D Vascular Stent System for treating peripheral artery disease in the femoropopliteal artery. This multicenter, prospective study is assessing the device's performance in improving blood flow and reducing restenosis.
STRIDE trial with the Penumbra© The STRIDE trial, sponsored by Penumbra, is evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the Indigo System with Lightning Intelligent Aspiration for the treatment of acute limb ischemia. Our team is proud to be among the top enrollers in this groundbreaking study, contributing significantly to the advancement of treatment for acute limb ischemia and better results for our patients. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03805308
PCORI funded study at Ben Taub Hospital – presented at SVS VAM and published in Journal of Vascular Surgery.
The VISTA study at Ben Taub Hospital, supported by the Society for Vascular Surgery, aims to reduce diabetes-related lower limb amputations in underserved communities. This research evaluates patients with diabetic foot ulcers or infections, using a multidisciplinary approach to identify care barriers, assess amputation risk, and develop targeted interventions for improved limb salvage in low-income minority groups. – presented at SVS VAM 2024
AI and depression in Chronic Limb Threatening Ischemia patients in collaboration with Rice University - This clinical trial aims to develop an AI-driven framework using wearable devices to identify and monitor depression and mental health in patients with critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). By analyzing wearable sensor data, the study seeks to establish digital markers of depressive symptoms, enhancing early detection and care coordination for mental health issues in this patient population.
Biomaterials for wound healing - The active trial, led by Dr. Ghanashyam Acharya, Dr. Shin and Dr. Jayer Chung, aims to identify chronic inflammatory and fibrotic markers in diabetic wounds, specifically focusing on diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). This prospective observational study collects de-identified tissue samples to analyze markers associated with DFU treatment outcomes, aiming to improve treatment prediction and staging in Chronic Limb threatening ischemia patients.
Our faculty's expertise and dedication drive our research initiatives, continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible in vascular surgery. By integrating clinical practice with robust research endeavors, we strive to offer unparalleled care to our patients while training the next generation of leaders in vascular surgery.
For Baylor students eager to contribute to impactful research in diabetic foot care and vascular diseases our division offers unique opportunities to advance your skills and make a difference. Interested BCM applicants, please apply through our system at https://soar.bcm.edu/ to join our innovative team and help improve patient outcomes through cutting-edge research.
If you're interested in participating in or supporting our work, please reach out to Ilse Torres at 713-798-2370 (ilse.torresruiz@bcm.edu) or Cuneyt Koksoy at 713-798-6377 (cuneyt.koksoy@bcm.edu) to learn more. Join us in making a difference through innovative research and compassionate care.