Olean, NY – A significant milestone was reached at Olean General Hospital (OGH), a member campus of Upper Allegheny Health System (UAHS). This past February, Thomas Langan, MD, board-certified in vascular surgery, performed OGH’s first-ever endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) procedure.

An EVAR is a vital procedure that is performed to manage abdominal aortic aneurysms. In this specific case, the patient had a saccular, infrarenal aortic aneurysm which has an increased risk of rupturing causing a life-threatening incident.

“When aneurysms rupture, they can be deadly. Roughly 50% of those who suffer from a ruptured aortic aneurysm die before they reach the hospital. For patients who receive emergency surgery for a ruptured aneurysm, the thirty-day mortality is 30-70%. So, the overall rate of death for those who suffer from a ruptured aortic aneurysm is 65-85%,” said Dr. Langan, vascular surgeon.

The goal of this elective EVAR is to place a stent graft to prevent the aneurysm from rupturing. The minimally invasive procedure was performed by creating punctures in the blood vessel, smaller than the size of a dime, of each groin and adding a stent graft in the aorta, the body’s main blood vessel, to exclude the aneurysm from the pressure of continued blood flow.

“By performing an EVAR procedure, my goal is to extend the life expectancy of patients with aortic aneurysms as well as prevent potentially fatal events,” added Dr. Langan.

After the successful procedure, the patient stayed one night at OGH to ensure there were no post-surgical complications. Nearly all patients who undergo an EVAR procedure with this approach are able to go home after one night of medical observation.

“We’re thrilled to have Dr. Langan onboard as a part of our UAHS physician network. As our new vascular surgeon, Dr. Langan’s expertise is bringing new life to our healthcare system. He’s providing services and introducing new techniques that haven’t previously been performed in our region,” said Jill Owens, MD, president, UAHS.

Dr. Langan is accepting new patients. His practice is located in the Comprehensive Vascular Center located on the ground floor of 623 Main Street, Olean, NY 14760. Appointments can be made by calling (716) 701-7035. Dr. Langan will also be an important component of growth for Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) in Bradford. Once credentialed in Pennsylvania, he will be performing procedures in a new vascular clinic at BRMC.

“This first-ever EVAR procedure is just the beginning of opportunities for growth with these new vascular services,” added Dr. Owens. “We are determined to reform our local healthcare system that provides high-quality care and essential services close to home while creating financial sustainability.”