Kevin Chiarello Receives Comprehensive Care from Saddleback Medical Center’s Vascular Team
Laguna Niguel resident and practicing attorney Kevin Chiarello, 60, has always been an athlete – playing football in high school and college, rugby in law school and, in recent years, road biking and skiing combined with high-intensity workouts at the gym. On a steady routine of exercise and sports, Kevin began to notice a numbing in his left leg. The issue affected his ability to maintain his normal level of activity and grew worse over time.
Kevin consulted with his doctor who immediately noticed that Kevin’s foot was pale and, furthermore, could barely detect a pulse in his leg. His doctor called Wang Teng, M.D., F.A.C.S., medical director of peripheral vascular services at Saddleback Medical Center, and referred Kevin on the spot. Dr. Teng’s first order was a computed tomography (CT) scan of Kevin’s leg. After reviewing the results, Dr. Teng determined that Kevin had a blood clot in one of the arteries of his lower leg and that it was obstructing the flow of blood to his foot. Dr. Teng consulted with Kevin, and they agreed to act quickly. Losing a foot due to a blood clot was not an option.
A surgical thrombectomy was performed, removing the blood clot, thereby restoring blood flow to Kevin’s foot. After the procedure, Dr. Teng examined Kevin further and found that the clot originated in his aorta – the main artery carrying blood from his heart to the rest of his body. It had then traveled down to the smaller artery in his leg where it became lodged.
In addition, Kevin had scar tissue in his abdominal aorta and blood clots had formed around it. This condition, common among those in the high-intensity cycling community, is known as iliac artery endofibrosis. Dr. Teng performed a procedure where an endovascular stent graft was placed and opened within Kevin’s aorta, to pin down the scarring tissue and blood clots to prevent further damage.
A follow-up CT scan found that scar tissue continued to grow in Kevin’s aorta and that blood clots would continue to develop as well. He would require another surgery; this time, removing and replacing his aorta.
COMPASSIONATE CARE AT ITS FINEST
Dr. Teng is in a class of his own. From day one, he had an in-depth, panoramic plan for me. Solve our immediate problem, then look deeper to see if we can root out the cause, Dr. Teng would come into the office to check up on me on days he wasn’t even on call. He always wanted to make sure I was progressing healthily.
Kevin Chiarello
Dr. Teng performed an open aortic surgical procedure, replacing Kevin’s aorta. He stays committed to Kevin’s full recovery by remaining close to his case. Kevin has since re-engaged in many of the activities he pursued prior to having the procedures and remains grateful for his care team at Saddleback Medical Center.
“Kevin’s case was very complex,” says Dr. Teng. “It was fortunate that he received treatment at this hospital, because optimal evaluation, care and treatment of vascular disease requires a team of experts working in a state-of-the-art facility. At the MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute, we have both the technology and team to perform a wide range of vascular procedures – both traditional and minimally invasive – all on the same campus.”
Learn more about our vascular services at memorialcare.org/SBHeartVascular.
