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Cezar A. Iliescu, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.S.C.A.I.

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiology, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Interventional Cardiologist, Department of Cardiology, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Department of Cardiology, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Bio Statement

I am a interventional cardiologist interested in vascular biology in cancer patients, endovascular treatment of patients with chronic thrombocytopenia, physiologic assessment of coronary stenosis, treatment of radiation induced cardiovascular disease.  

Research Interests

  • Physiologic assessment of coronary stenosis in the cardiac catheterization laboratory and management of intermediate lesions
  • Acute coronary syndrome treatment in patients with chronic thrombocytopenia
  • Peripheral vascular disease-modern therapies

Clinical Interests

  • Vascular biology in cancer patients
  • Endovascular treatment of patients with chronic thrombocytopenia 
  • Physiologic assessment of coronary stenosis
  • Treatment of radiation induced cardiovascular disease

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1994 University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila", Bucharest, Romania, MD, Medicine
1987 Mihai Viteazul National College, Bucharest, Romania, BS, Basic Science

Board Certifications

2008 American Board of Internal Medicine-Interventional Cardiology
2007 Cardiovascular Diseases
2006 Advanced Nuclear Course
2005 Certification in Adult Intracardiac Echocardiography
2004 American Board of Internal Medicine
2000 Romanian Board of General Surgery

Honors and Awards

2010 Romanian Health Order Award-Officer, Romanian State President
2007 Outstanding Clinical Fellow, University of Texas Health Science Center
2007 Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Cardiology Diploma, Second Cardiology Fellowship Conference
2004 Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Cardiology Diploma, First Cardiology Fellowship Conference

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Iliescu C, Durand JB, Kroll M. Cardiovascular interventions in thrombocytopenic cancer patients. Tex Heart Inst J 38(3):259-60, 2011. PMCID: PMC3113145.
2. Yeh ET. Onco-cardiology: the time has come. Tex Heart Inst J 38(3):246-7, 2011. PMCID: PMC3113120.
3. Yusuf SW, Iliescu C, Bathina JD, Daher IN, Durand JB. Antiplatelet therapy and percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome and thrombocytopenia. Tex Heart Inst J 37(3):336-40, 2010. PMCID: PMC2879212.
4. Kerkelä R, Grazette L, Yacobi R, Iliescu C, Patten R, Beahm C, Walters B, Shevtsov S, Pesant S, Clubb FJ, Rosenzweig A, Salomon RN, Van Etten RA, Alroy J, Durand JB, Force T. Cardiotoxicity of the cancer therapeutic agent imatinib mesylate. Nat Med 12(8):908-16, 8/2006. e-Pub 7/2006. PMID: 16862153.

Editorials
1. Chen D, Chang R, Ho AT, Frivold G, Foster G. Spontaneous resolution of coronary artery pseudoaneurysm consequent to percutaneous intervention with paclitaxel-eluting stent. Tex Heart Inst J 35(2):189-91; discussion 192, 2008. PMCID: PMC2435461.

Abstracts
1. Mukerji S, Mouhayar E, Banchs J, Iliescu G, Tomakin G, Yusuf SW, Durand JB, Iliescu C. Impact of Chronic Thrombocytopenia in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Cancer. Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions 79 Suppl(6):S51, 5/2012.
2. Mukerji S, Iliescu G, Yusuf SW, Banchs J, Durand JB, Tomakin G, Iliescu C. Impact of Chronic Thrombocytopenia in patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Cancer. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 59(13):E1819, 2012.
3. Mouhayar E, Abi Aad S, Massey M, Iliescu C, Yusuf SW, Daher I. Acute Peripheral Arterial Ischemic Events in Cancer Patients. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 57(14 Suppl 1):E1492, 5/2011.
4. Iliescu C, Reyes M, Abi Aad S, Banchs J, Mouhayar E, Leja M, Daher I, Yusuf SW, Durand JB. Clinical Features and Outcomes of Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Cancer Patients. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 57(14 Suppl 1):E308, 5/2011.
5. Karimzadehnajar K, Azpura F, Shezad S, Durand JB, Iliescu C. Fractional Flow Reserve: Less is sometimes more in cancer patients. The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions Scientific Sessions (#F-023), 5/2011.
6. Satya K, Parasher P, Stephens M, Reyes M, Durand JB, Iliescu C. Left Main Disease: Therapeutic Strategies in Cancer Patients. Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions Scientific Sessions (#F-022), 5/2011.
7. Mouhayar E, Abi Aad S, Sharma J, Massey M, Iliescu C, Yusuf SW, Lei X, Daher I,. Outcome of Cancer Patients with Acute Peripheral Arterial Ischemic Events. The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Division of Internal Medicine Research Retreat 2011, 5/2011.
8. Shukla A, Yusuf, SW, Daher, I, Zhou X, Iliescu C, Lenihan D, Durand JB. Deleterious Effects on Ejection Fraction Upon Withdrawal of ACE Inhibitors and Beta-Adrenergic Blockers in Patients with Anthracycline Associated Cardiomyopathy. American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions, 2009.
9. Iliescu C, Amirian J, Smalling R. Intravascular Imaging Using Combined Intravascular Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Catheters in a Rabbit Atherosclerotic. Mod. American College of Cardiology, New Orleans, 3/2008.
10. Iliescu C, Butkevich A, Ibrahim M, Siddiqui H, Loghin C, Denktas A, Anderson H, Smalling R, Sdringola S. Identifying Young Women at High Risk of Significant Angiographic Coronary Artery Disease. Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions 69(6):S55 (#B-59), 2007.
11. Iliescu C, Huff J, Vooletich M, Abbas A, Loghin C, Fuentes F, Denktas A, Anderson H, Smalling R, Sdringola S. Low Socio-Economic Status is Associated with Subacute and Late Drug Eluting Stent Thrombosis. Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions 69(6):S41 (#B-20), 2007.
12. Huff J, Denktas A, Iliescu C, Vooletich M, Abbas A, Loghin C, Sdringola S. Subacute and Late Drug Eluting Stent Thrombosis Is Associated with Low Socio-Economic Status. American College of Physicians Texas Chapter/Texas Academy of Internal Medicine, 11/2006.
13. Shaik N, Butkevich A, Iliescu C, Croitoru M. Cause of Death and Serum Cardiac Troponin Levels Predict Cardiac Function in Heart Transplant Donors. American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions, 2006.
14. Iliescu C, Loghin C, Burjonroppa S, Sdringola S. Identifying Young Women At High Risk Of Significant Angiographic Coronary Artery Disease. Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics, 2006.
15. Iliescu C, Giesler G, Hemstreet P, Liu W, Murtagh B, Fuentes F, Anderson H, Denktas A, Smalling R. Natural Catastrophic Events Are Associated With Increased Incidence and Severity of Acute Coronary Syndromes. American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions, 2006.
16. Iliescu C, Butkevich A, Denktas A, Nguyen H, Loghin C, Sdringola S. Percutaneous. Revascularization In Right Coronary ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Starting With The Left Angiogram Is The Right Strategy. Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions Scientific Sessions, 2006.
17. Iliescu C, Yusuf W, Auerbach L, Tong A, Vooletich M, Cortes J, Divakaran V, Lotlika Sr, Woods Talpaz M, Lenihan D, Kantarjian H, Force T, Durand JB. Impact of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Carvedilol on Recovery of Cardiac Function in Imatinib Associated Cardiomyopathy. Heart Failure Society of America Scientific Meeting, 9/2005.
18. Iliescu C, Yusuf W, Auerbach L, Tong A, Vooletich M, Cortes J, Divakaran V. Lotlikar S, Woods M, Talpaz M, Lenihan D, Kantarjian H, Force T, Durand JB. Impact of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Carvedilol on Recovery of Cardiac Function in Imatinib Associated Cardiomyopathy. Young Investigators Research Forum, MD Anderson, 9/2005.
19. Agarwal R, Tong A, Yusuf W, Wells R, Jaffe N, Burrer N, Herzog C, Lotlikar S., Iliescu C, Woods M, Vooletich M, Divakaran V, Lenihan D, Towbin J, Durand JB. Carvedilol For Anthracycline -Induced Heart Failure In Pediatric Oncology Patients. Young Investigators Research Forum, MD Anderson, 2005.
20. Iliescu C. Survival Differences Between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Patients With Cardiovascular Disease Initiating Renal Replacement Therapy in the United States. First Annual Fellowship Conference, 3/2004.
21. Iliescu C, Murthy B, Fuentes F, Stack AJ. Survival Differences Between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Patients with Cardiovascular Disease Initiating Renal Replacement Therapy in the United States. American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions, 2004.
22. Boccalandro F, Iliescu C, Achour H, Kirkeede R, Sdringola S, Smalling R.. Accuracy of Mitral Valve Area Calculation Using a Computer Based Planimetry System in the Catheterization Laboratory. Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions 59(1):112 (#B-20), 2003.
23. Iliescu C, Stack A, Scott G, Underwood C, Fulton S, Camarillo C, Olivares M, Dasher K, Santamaria A, Salas J, Smalling R, Lavis V, Fuentes F. Association of Traditional Risk Factors with Coronary Artery Disease among Diabetic Patients: An Angiographic Study. The American Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 12(2):132 (#28), 2003.
24. Boccalandro F, Iliescu C, Carter C, Smalling R. Chest X-Ray Characteristics of Interatrial Closure Devices in Adults. Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions 59(1):112 (#B-21), 2003.

Book Chapters
1. Fee A., Iliescu C. Acute Coronary Syndromes. In: Cardiac Complications of Cancer Therapy: United States. In Press.
2. Iliescu C. Liver Anatomy. In: Cancer Critical Care, 2011.
3. Iliescu C. Acute Coronary Syndromes. In: Cancer Critical Care. Submitted.
4. Iliescu C. Radiation-related Cardiovascular Disease. In: Cancer Critical Care. Submitted.
 

Other
1. News Paper. Cath Lab Digest, Cath Lab Spotlight, July 2012.

Last updated: 3/12/2013