Latest News & Media

A UCLA-led study suggests that chronic stress and an unhealthy diet accelerate pancreatic cancer development by activating cancer-promoting pathways. The researcj, co-led by Dr. Guido Eibl, professor in residence of surgery, and Dr. Joe Hines, professor and chair of surgery at UCLA, highlight beta-blockers as a potential preventive therapy. 

Published in Molecular Cancer Research.

For patients with liver failure, the wait for a transplant can be long, and every moment counts. Dr. Douglas Farmer, chief of the Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation at UCLA Health, is transforming transplant care with ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion. This groundbreaking technology keeps livers warm and functional, expanding the donor pool and giving more patients a second chance at life.

Dr. Hugh A. Gelabert, professor of surgery in UCLA’s Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, explained that Victor Wembanyama’s deep vein thrombosis (DVT) differs from Chris Bosh’s past condition. While Bosh’s DVT led to a pulmonary embolism, Wembanyama’s shoulder clot is typically lower risk.

Additional coverage: Sun Herald

UCLA researchers will present over 70 abstracts at the 20th annual Academic Surgical Congress (ASC), highlighting cutting-edge advancements in breast lesion detection, robotic cancer resection, liver transplantation, and pancreatic cancer diagnostics.

A study led by UCLA medical student Sara Sakowitz, MS, MPH, found that patients who traveled to high-volume centers for esophagectomy had significantly better 1-year and 5-year survival, especially those with stage III esophageal adenocarcinoma. The findings support centralizing complex oncologic care despite challenges like travel burden and continuity of care

Dr. Peyman Benharash, cardiothoracic surgeon at UCLA Health, co-authored a UCLA-led study revealing that Medicaid-insured heart transplant patients face a higher risk of developing cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), a condition that affects long-term survival. Published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, the study highlights how treatment at high-volume transplant centers can mitigate these risks, offering patients more consistent follow-up care and access to essential medications. 

Additional coverage: UCLA Newsroom

Dr. Richard J. Shemin, chief of cardiac surgery at UCLA Health, founded the University of California Cardiac Surgery Consortium (UCCSC) to enhance patient care across UC’s five health centers. By sharing data and best practices, the consortium has saved 132 bed days and improved financial margins by $15 million.

Dr. Vincent Rowe, chief of vascular and endovascular surgery at UCLA Health, leads a comprehensive team of specialists to treat complex PAD cases and prevent amputations. By integrating vascular and plastic surgery, wound care, podiatry, and hyperbaric medicine, UCLA Health has successfully preserved limbs and improved patient outcomes.