Dr. Irwin M. Best MD
Surgeon
1364 Clifton Road Northeast Atlanta Georgia, 30322About
Irwin M. Best, MD, obtained his medical degree in 1983 from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, New York. After he received his medical degree, he continued to complete his residency and fellowship at the University Medical Center in Stony Brook, New York. His expertise lies in the fields of vascular surgery and interventional radiology. Renowned peer-reviewed medical journals have published Dr. Best's articles regarding these fields. Hard work and patience, he says, are keys to his success. Today, Best is the Associate Professor of Interventional Radiology at the Emory University School of Medicine; he practices interventional radiology at the Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Irwin M. Best MD's Videos
Education and Training
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Board Certification
General Surgery
Vascular Surgery
SurgeryAmerican Board of SurgeryABS
Provider Details
Dr. Irwin M. Best MD's Expert Contributions
Is radiofrequency ablation good for varicose veins?
Perhaps Yes, However, it is important to have a professional evaluate your varicose veins to determine your treatment options and make an appropriate recommendation. READ MORE
Does a heart murmur affect anesthesia?
Thanks for this very interesting question. A murmur is the result of non laminar blood flow like water flowing over a stone in a stream. Murmur during the contracting phase of the heart might be caused by obstruction to flow out of the heart or flow across a poorly closed intracardiac valve - ejection or regurgitation murmurs. These are just a few of the important concerns in evaluating heart ️ murmurs! Your anesthesiologist will definitely want to know what type of murmur you have and if anesthesia will worsen your heart function. You did not mention what kind of surgery or anesthesia that is being considered, nor did you mention any type of clinical symptoms that might foretell difficult with general anesthesia! Fortunately, there are non-invasive painless tests - echocardiography - that can readily evaluate cardiac murmurs and function with a high degree of accuracy. Please talk with your medical team so that they can perform a proper medical evaluation and specific diagnostic test. Again, thanks for this interesting question. I hope that it points you in the right direction. Irwin M. Best, MD, MBA,FACS READ MORE
How long are you asleep after open heart surgery?
Thanks for this interesting question. The duration of heart surgery is determined by the type and complexity of the specific heart ️problem that is being fixed. For example, blockages to heart arteries, heart valves, aneurysms, or a combination of all of these! Some blockages of heart arteries can be fixed by catheters alone! Similarly, some value problems with values can also be fixed by catheters. Moreover, the duration of the procedure and the recovery period is directly related to the complexity of the procedure and the pre-operative condition of the patient. Obviously, the experience of the treatment team is invaluable in this assessment. Consequently, these considerations should be discussed directly with the treatment team after a complete assessment of all the clinical information. I hope that this gives you some points to discuss with your treatment team. Irwin M. Best, MD, MBA,FACS READ MORE
Does part of your heart die after a heart attack?
Thanks for this very important question! What happens to the heart after a heart attack? Does part of the heart die? Terminology: -Heart attack -Myocardial infarction -A coronary -Angina All point to poor blood supply to the heart. The heart is a pump. Without fuel (BLOOD supply) it can stop! Cardiac arrest! Then the whole body stops working! When a small part of the heart's blood supply is blocked, that part of the heart might die and become scar tissue, provided it does not cause additional problems with heart functioning! It is very complicated! Never try to sort this out by yourself! If you think you are having a heart attack, call 911. Please don’t drive yourself! Get to a hospital. They have the expertise to sort this out! If you get there in time, the blocked arteries can be cleared before the heart muscle dies. You did not ask about STROKE, brain infarction/attack, but the same is true! Call 911! No time for self diagnosis!! These are for the experts! Don’t waste time! Something not right? Don’t try to figure it out Call the expert - 911. Hope this helps. Irwin M. Best, MD, MBA,FACS READ MORE
What is the treatment for an irregular heartbeat?
Treatment? This would depend on several factors? Fast or slow rate? Symptoms or not? Nature or the rate/rhythm disturbances. Yes if you are having symptoms you should call EMS and get medical attention. Please do not drive yourself since this can result in accidents if your condition becomes worse... fainting, dizziness... If totally fine, call your Medical Doctor for an initial evaluation and lab work! Hopefully this points you in the right direction. Thanks. Sent from iPhone Irwin M Best, MD, MBA,FACS This communication is privileged and confidential. It isn't intended for sharing or forwarding to third parties. [X] READ MORE
How dangerous is a blood clot in the leg?
Might I ask you to consider this question: How dangerous is crossing the street? Similarly, leg DVT can be innocuous or DEADLY: -More clot in the leg can damage the leg... -Pain, swelling, discoloration, gangrene -Or clot breaks away an travel to the lungs causing: -Shortness of breath -Rapid heart rate -Death! What is your specific risk for these events? You must seek the attention of a vascular specialist to help to: -Assess your risk -Lower your risk for planned surgery -Monitor you for several months after and treat with medications if warranted by your specific risk profile! I trust that this helps you to understand your specific situation and to seek the appropriate Professional evaluation and management of your situation. Irwin M. Best, MD, MBA,FACS READ MORE
What can happen if varicose veins are left untreated?
What can happen if varicose veins are left untreated? 1. Nothing 2. Enlargement 3. Edema - swelling 4. Pain/soreness/ aching 5. Discoloration 6. Inflammation 7. Thrombosis 7. Ulceration 8. Bleeding 9. Cancer - very rarely Therefore, evaluation by a vascular specialist is essential. Irwin M Best, MD, MBA,FACS READ MORE
How are blood clots in the veins diagnosed?
How are blood clots in the veins diagnosed? 1) At autopsy by a medical examiner as an incidental finding or actual cause of death. 2) By signs and symptoms at home (leg pain, swelling, discoloration). 3) By sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, from pulmonary embolism (clots swimming from the legs to the lungs). 4) By sudden abdominal pain from thrombosis of the veins in the abdomen. 5) Confirmation of DVT by Duplex ultrasounds - the workhorse for DVT evolution! Limited in pelvis, chests, and abdomen! IPG... older not used much CT - venous study - Head, chest & abdomen MRV - all areas of the body! Subclinical DVT might be diagnosed incidentally during exams for other problems! A family history of DVT does not warrant prophylaxis unless put into a situation that promotes DVT. Your doctor can best evaluate and advise for these risks. Irwin M. Best, MD, MBA,FACS READ MORE
What does an angioplasty procedure involve?
Angio - vessel Plasty - molding, repair Therefore, the term is not particularly specific. A vessel - artery or vein will be repaired - Molded by a balloon angioplasty - Widened with a patch - patch angioplasty If angioplasty fails, a stent can be used to fix the defect in the blood vessel. READ MORE
What is a vascular surgeon?
A vascular surgeons is a physician who diagnoses and manages diseases is veins, arteries, and lymphatic occurring anywhere in the body except for the heart READ MORE
Do varicose veins come back after treatment?
All treatments have failures rates. Fortunately, this one is very low (~5%). Varicosities might occur in different veins over time . However all the veins should be examined before treatment of then Saphenous veins. READ MORE
Compression knee highs
Knee-high vs thigh-high stockings? Excellent question! Patients find knee-highs easier to put on in the morning and easier to wear during the day. Therefore, I order both types since some compression is better than NONE. A careful Duplex Ultrasound examination of the veins in the legs would indicate which stocking type is ideal. READ MORE
Expert Publications
Data provided by the National Library of Medicine- Metachronous thromboses and myocardial infarctions in a 32-year-old woman with antiphospholipid antibodies.
- Anomalous origins of the right vertebral, subclavian, and common carotid arteries in a patient with a four-vessel aortic arch.
- Recurrent ischemia in a young man with the antiphospholipid syndrome.
- Debilitating lymphedema of the upper extremity after treatment of breast cancer.
- Thigh compartment syndrome after acute ischemia.
- Venous claudication in a child with thrombophilia.
- Endometrioma of the abdominal wall.
- Peroneal-plantar artery bypass: a prone approach.
- Pulmonary artery injury and cardiac tamponade after needle decompression of a suspected tension pneumothorax.
- Squamous cell carcinoma at herniorrhaphy and unilateral renal agenesis.
- Is bilateral protected specimen brush sampling necessary for the accurate diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia?
- Considerations in catheter retrieval from the arterial system.
- Management of an unusual iliac fossa venous plexus.
- Percutaneous repair of a disrupted left renal artery after rapid stabilization.
- Partial splenic embolization for refractory thrombocytopenia.
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Assistant Professor, Interventional Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia -
- Former Assistant Professor of Surgery, Morehouse School of Medicine; Atlanta, Georgia -
Fellowships
- Stony Brook University Hospital
Professional Society Memberships
- Society for Vascular Surgery, Radiology Association of Clinical Anatomy, American Heart Association
Articles and Publications
- Dr. Best's articles regarding vascular surgery and interventional radiology have been published in peer-reviewed medical journals.
What do you attribute your success to?
Hard Work, Patience
Hobbies / Sports
- Tennis, Golf, Woodworking
Dr. Irwin M. Best MD's Practice location
EAST POINT, GA 30344Get Direction
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