Meet George Pisimisis, M.D.
George T. Pisimisis, M.D., RPVI, FACS
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Surgery
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Interventional Radiology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2000 | National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, GRC, MD, Medical Degree |
Postgraduate Training
| 2008-2010 | Clinical Fellowship, Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN |
| 2003-2008 | Clinical Residency, General Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE |
| 2002-2003 | Clinical Internship, General Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, Metropolitan Group Hospitals, Chicago, IL |
| 2001-2002 | Research Fellowship, Cardiovascular Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Houston, TX |
Board Certifications
| 2012 | The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Registered Physician Vascular Interpretation |
| 2012 | The American Board of Surgery, Vascular Surgery |
| 2008 | The American Board of Surgery, General Surgery |
| 2001 | Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Director, MEDVAMC, Fenestrated Endovascular Aortic Repair (FEVAR) Program, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2015
Medical Director, MEDVAMC, Vascular Laboratory (IAC accredited), Houston, TX, 2012 - 2015
Assistant Professor, Department of Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2011 - 2016
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Site Co-Director, P-Branch Cook Fenestrated Aortic Endovascular Graft Trial, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, 2015 - Present
Course Director, Peripheral Vascular Ultrasound Conference (weekly), Vascular Fellowship Education Curriculum, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2014
Honors & Awards
| 2009 | Clinical Research Excellence Award, Division of Vascular surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN |
| 2007 | American Board of Surgery In-Training Exam Highest Score Award, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Department of General Surgery, Omaha, NE |
| 2005 | Outstanding Surgery Resident Award (Anselmo Alonso Award), University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE |
| 2002 | American Board of Surgery In-Training Exam Highest Score Award (ABSITE Club Award), University of Ilinois at Chicago, Department of General Surgery, Chicago, IL |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Pisimisis G. Invited Commentary - Risk of Recurrent VTE After Acute Pulmonary Embolism. Benign Hematology, 2019.
- Lederle FA, Kyriakides TC, Stroupe KT, Freischlag JA, Padberg FT, Matsumura JS, Huo Z, Johnson GR, OVER Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study Group, the OVER Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study Group (Pisimisis G). Open versus Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. N Engl J Med 380(22):2126-2135, 2019. PMID: 31141634.
- AlRstum ZA, Huynh TT, Huang SY, Pisimisis GT. Risk of bleeding after ultrasound-guided jugular central venous catheter insertion in severely thrombocytopenic oncologic patients. Am J Surg 217(1):133-137, 2019. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30539792.
- Powell JT, Sweeting MJ, Ulug P, Blankensteijn JD, Lederle FA, Becquemin JP, Greenhalgh RM, EVAR-1, DREAM, OVER and ACE Trialists (Pisimisis G). Meta-analysis of individual-patient data from EVAR-1, DREAM, OVER and ACE trials comparing outcomes of endovascular or open repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm over 5 years. Br J Surg 104(3):166-178, 2017. PMID: 28160528.
- Mohammed S, Kougias P, Mandviwala TM, Barshes NR, Pisimisis GT. Progression to stage 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease and risk factor stratification following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. Vascular 24(6):598-603, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26792797.
- Chung J, Valentine W, Sharath SE, Pathak A, Barshes NR, Pisimisis G, Kougias P, Mills JL. Percutaneous intervention for carotid in-stent restenosis does not improve outcomes compared with nonoperative management. J Vasc Surg 64(5):1286-1294.e1, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27462003.
- Pisimisis GT, Katsavelis D, Mandviwala T, Barshes NR, Kougias P. Common carotid artery peak systolic velocity ratio predicts high-grade common carotid stenosis. J Vasc Surg 62(4):951-7, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26169013.
- Kougias P, Collins R, Pastorek N, Sharath S, Barshes NR, McCulloch K, Pisimisis G, Berger DH. Comparison of domain-specific cognitive function after carotid endarterectomy and stenting. J Vasc Surg 62(2):355-61, 2015. PMID: 26211378.
- Sharath S, Henson H, Flynn S, CWS, Pisimisis G, Kougias P, Barshes NR. Ambulation and independence among Veterans with nontraumatic bilateral lower-limb loss. J Rehabil Res Dev 52(7):851-8, 2015. PMID: 26745753.
- Barshes NR, Rodriguez-Barradas MC, Bechara CF, Pisimisis G, Young EJ, Kougias P. Microbial isolates and their antimicrobial susceptibilities in inframalleolar foot infections. Surg Infect (Larchmt) 15(5):585-91, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24827989.
- Barshes NR, Gold B, Garcia A, Bechara CF, Pisimisis G, Kougias P. Minor amputation and palliative wound care as a strategy to avoid major amputation in patients with foot infections and severe peripheral arterial disease. Int J Low Extrem Wounds 13(3):211-9, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25049375.
- Nguyen NT, Barshes NR, Bechara CF, Pisimisis GT. Natural history of an intra-aortic permanent inferior vena cava filter. J Vasc Surg 60(3):784, 2014. PMID: 25154964.
- Kougias P, Sharath S, Barshes NR, Lowery B, Garcia A, Pak T, Bechara CF, Pisimisis G. Impact of cumulative intravascular contrast exposure on renal function in patients with occlusive and aneurysmal vascular disease. J Vasc Surg 59(6):1644-50, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24560864.
- Pisimisis GT, Kougias P, Barshes NR, Bechara CF. Surgeon-modified fenestrated endograft to treat ruptured juxtarenal aneurysm. JAMA Surg 149(5):447-9, 2014. PMID: 24671448.
- Matos JM, Barshes NR, Mccoy S, Pisimisis G, Felkai D, Kougias P, Lin PH, Bechara CF. Validating common carotid stenosis by duplex ultrasound with carotid angiogram or computed tomography scan. J Vasc Surg 59(2):435-9, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24080127.
- Bechara CF, Barshes NR, Pisimisis G, Bates JT, Lin PH, Kougias P. Short- and midterm results of iliac artery stenting for flush occlusion with the assistance of an occlusive contralateral iliac artery balloon. Ann Vasc Surg 28(1):59-64, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24189002.
- Barshes NR, Bechara CF, Pisimisis G, Kougias P. Preliminary experiences with early primary closure of foot wounds after lower extremity revascularization. Ann Vasc Surg 28(1):48-52, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24189006.
- Barshes NR, Kougias P, Ozaki CK, Pisimisis G, Bechara CF, Henson HK, Belkin M. Cost-effectiveness of revascularization for limb preservation in patients with marginal functional status. Ann Vasc Surg 28(1):10-7, 2014. PMID: 24332257.
- Bechara CF, Barshes NR, Pisimisis G, Kougias P, Lin PH. Management of inadvertent carotid artery sheath insertion during central venous catheter placement. JAMA Surg 148(11):1063-6, 2013. PMID: 24068206.
- Poi MJ, Pisimisis G, Barshes NR, Darouiche RO, Lin PH, Kougias P, Bechara CF. Evaluating effectiveness of antibiotic polymethylmethacrylate beads in achieving wound sterilization and graft preservation in patients with early and late vascular graft infections. Surgery 153(5):673-82, 2013. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 23270968.
- Kougias P, Orcutt S, Pak T, Pisimisis G, Barshes NR, Lin PH, Bechara CF. Impact of postoperative nadir hemoglobin and blood transfusion on outcomes after operations for atherosclerotic vascular disease. J Vasc Surg 57(5):1331-7; discussion, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23384496.
- Mohammed S, Pisimisis GT, Daram SP, Bechara CF, Barshes NR, Lin PH, Kougias P. Impact of intraoperative administration of local vancomycin on inguinal wound complications. J Vasc Surg 57(4):1079-83, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23313181.
- Kougias P, Tiwari V, Barshes NR, Bechara CF, Lowery B, Pisimisis G, Berger DH. Modeling anesthetic times. Predictors and implications for short-term outcomes. J Surg Res 180(1):1-7, 2013. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 23158406.
- Pisimisis GT, Bechara CF, Barshes NR, Lin PH, Lai WS, Kougias P. Risk factors and impact of proximal fixation on acute and chronic renal dysfunction after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair using glomerular filtration rate criteria. Ann Vasc Surg 27(1):16-22, 2013. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 23088805.
- Bechara CF, Barshes NR, Pisimisis G, Chen H, Pak T, Lin PH, Kougias P. Predicting the learning curve and failures of total percutaneous endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. J Vasc Surg 57(1):72-6, 2013. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 23127982.
- Bombien R, Pisimisis GT, Khoynezhad A. An update on endovascular management of acute thoracic aortic disease and future directions. Rev Cardiovasc Med 14(2-4):e99-106, 2013. PMID: 24448260.
- Poi MJ, Pisimisis G, Barshes NR, Lin PH, Kougias P, Bechara CF. Percutaneous profunda femoris artery revascularization to prevent hip disarticulation: case series and review of the literature. Am J Surg 204(5):649-54, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22884250.
- Orcutt ST, Bechara CF, Pisimisis G, Barshes NR, Kougias P. Impact of perioperative events on mortality after major vascular surgery in a veteran patient population. Am J Surg 204(5):586-90, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22906245.
- Kougias P, Tiwari V, Orcutt S, Chen A, Pisimisis G, Barshes NR, Bechara CF, Berger DH. Derivation and out-of-sample validation of a modeling system to predict length of surgery. Am J Surg 204(5):563-8, 2012. PMID: 23140826.
- Lederle FA, Freischlag JA, Kyriakides TC, Matsumura JS, Padberg FT, Kohler TR, Kougias P, Jean-Claude JM, Cikrit DF, Swanson KM, OVER Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study Group (Pisimisis GT). Long-term comparison of endovascular and open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. N Engl J Med 367(21):1988-97, 2012. PMID: 23171095.
- Gonzalez L, Chen A, Lin PH, Pisimisis G, Barshes NR, Bechara CF, Kougias P. Latest recanalization techniques for complex superficial femoral artery occlusions. J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino) 53(4):487-94, 2012. PMID: 22854529.
- Tsilimparis N, Hanack U, Pisimisis G, Yousefi S, Wintzer C, Rückert RI. Thrombus in the non-aneurysmal, non-atherosclerotic descending thoracic aorta--an unusual source of arterial embolism. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 41(4):450-7, 2011. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 21145267.
- Hunter LW, Shiekh FA, Pisimisis GT, Kim SH, Edeh SN, Miller VM, Lieske JC. Key role of alkaline phosphatase in the development of human-derived nanoparticles in vitro. Acta Biomater 7(3):1339-45, 2011. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 21029794.
- Pisimisis GT, Oderich GS. Technique of hybrid retrograde superior mesenteric artery stent placement for acute-on-chronic mesenteric ischemia. Ann Vasc Surg 25(1):132.e7-11, 2011. PMID: 20889302.
- Pisimisis GT, Khoynezhad A, Bashir K, Kruse MJ, Donayre CE, White RA. Incidence and risk factors of renal dysfunction after thoracic endovascular aortic repair. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 140(6 Suppl):S161-7, 2010. PMID: 21092786.
- Pisimisis GT, Kantor B, Kalra M, Pipinos II. Thrombus of the internal carotid artery: the contribution of computed tomographic angiography to clinical management. Vasc Endovascular Surg 44(4):302-4, 2010. PMID: 20403953.
- Garg N, Karagiorgos N, Pisimisis GT, Sohal DP, Longo GM, Johanning JM, Lynch TG, Pipinos II. Cerebral protection devices reduce periprocedural strokes during carotid angioplasty and stenting: a systematic review of the current literature. J Endovasc Ther 16(4):412-27, 2009. PMID: 19702342.
- Pipinos II, Pisimisis GT, Burjonrappa SC, Johanning JM, Longo GM, Lynch TG. One patent intracranial collateral predicts tolerance of flow reversal during carotid angioplasty and stenting. Ann Vasc Surg 23(1):32-8, 2009. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18619779.
- Barshes NR, Pisimisis G, Kougias P. Compartment syndrome of the foot associated with a delayed presentation of acute limb ischemia. J Vasc Surg. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25752690.
- Chen Y, Zhang R, Wang L, Correa AM, Pataer A, Xu Y, Zhang X, Ren C, Wu S, Meng QH, Fujimoto J, Jensen VB, Antonoff MB, Hofstetter WL, Mehran RJ, Pisimisis G, Rice DC, Sepesi B, Vaporciyan AA, Walsh GL, Swisher SG, Roth JA, Heymach JV, Fang B. Tumor characteristics associated with engraftment of patient-derived non-small cell lung cancer xenografts in immunocompromised mice. Cancer. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31287557.
- Sharath SE, Kougias P, Pisimisis G, Barshes NR. The impact of clinical, psychological, behavioral, social, and environmental factors on self-perceived symptom severity in a male cohort with intermittent claudication. J Vasc Surg. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26821592.
Abstracts
- Kfoury E, Kougias P, Barshes NR, Pisimisis GT. Outcomes of fenestrated endovascular graft for the treatment of juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. Association of VA Surgerons (AVAS) 39th annual meeting, May 3-5, 2015 in Miami, FL, 2015.
- Pisimisis GT, Bechara CF, Katsavelis D, Barshes NR, Lin PH, Kougias P. Establishing common carotid artery peak systolic ratio criteria to predict common carotid stenosis. Society of Clinical Vascular Surgery, Vascular Annual Meeting, March 29 - April 1, 2015 in Miami, FL, 2015.
- Pisimisis GT, Kougias P, Barshes NR, Bechara CF. Surgeon-Modified Fenestrated Endograft to Treat Ruptured Juxtarenal Aneurysm. Association of VA Surgeons, Annual Meeting, April 21-23, 2013, Milwaukee, WI, 2013.
- Pisimisis GT, Bechara CF, Lin PH, Barshes NR, Lai WS, Kougias P. Progression to stage 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease and risk factor stratification following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. Association of VA Surgeons, Annual Meeting, April 21-23, 2013, Milwaukee, WI, 2013.
- Barshes NR, Kougias P, Ozaki CK, Pisimisis GT, Bechara CF. A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Revascularization For Limb Salvage Among Patients With Marginal Baseline Functional Status. Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, January 31-February 3, 2013, Salt Lake, UT, 2013.
- Bechara CF, Barshes NR, Pisimisis GT, Lin PH, Kougias P. Short- and Mid-Term Results of Iliac Artery Flush Occlusion Stenting With the Assistance of An Occlusive Contralateral Iliac Artery Balloon. Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, January 31-February 3, 2013, Salt Lake, UT, 2013.
- Barshes NR, Bechara CV, Pisimisis GT, Kougias P. Preliminary Experiences With Early Primary Closure of Foot Wounds Following Lower Extremity Revascularization. Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, January 31-February 3, 2013, Salt Lake, UT, 2013.
- Kougias P, Orcutt S, Lin PH, Pisimisis GT, Barshes NR, Bechara CF. Impact of Transfusion and Nadir Postoperative Hemoglobin on Short- and Long-term Outcomes After Interventions for Peripheral Arterial Disease. Society for Vascular Surgery, Vascular Annual Meeting, June 6-10, 2012, National Harbor, MD, 2012.
- Pisimisis GT, Mohammed S, Daram SP, Bechara CF, Barshes NR, Lin PH, Kougias P. Impact of Intra-operative Local Vancomycin on Inguinal Wound Complications. Society for Vascular Surgery, Vascular Annual Meeting, June 6-10, 2012, National Harbor, MD, 2012.
- Orcutt S, Bechara CF, Pisimisis GT, Barshes NR, Kougias P. Impact of perioperative events on mortality after major vascular surgery. Association of VA Surgeons, Annual Meeting, April 1-3, 2012, Miami, FL, 2012.
- Kougias P, Tiwari V, Orcutt S, Pisimisis GT, Barshes NR, Bechara CF, Berger DH. Derivation and out of sample validation of a modeling system to predict operative length. Association of VA Surgeons, Annual Meeting, April 1-3, 2012, Miami, FL, 2012.
- Poi MJ, Pisimisis GT, Barshes NR, Lin PH, Kougias P, Bechara CF. Percutanous profunda femoris artery revascularization to prevent hip disarticulation: A case series and review of the literature. Association of VA Surgeons, Annual Meeting, April 1-3, 2012, Miami, FL, 2012.
- Bechara CF, Lin PH, Barshes N, Chen H, Pisimisis GT, Kougias P. Total Percutaneous Aortic Aneurysm Repair: Predicting the Learning Curve and Its Failures. Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery. Vascular Annual Symposium, March 14-17, 2012, Las Vegas, NV, 2012.
- Pisimisis GT, Bechara CF, Lin PH, Barshes NR, Lai WS, Kougias P. Risk factors and impact of proximal fixation on acute and chronic renal dysfunction after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair using glomerular filtration rate criteria. Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, January 27-29, 2012, Vail CO, 2012.
- Pisimisis GT, McCoy S, Weakley S, Chen M, Lin P, Bechara C, Kougias P. Carotid endarterectomy versus stenting in selected patient populations. Is there always a dilemma?. Association of VA Surgeons Meeting, April 10-12, 2011, Irvine CA, 2011.
- Pisimisis GT, Abbas A, Weakley S, Lin P, Bechara C, Kougias P. Distribution of comorbidities on various stages of peripheral arterial disease who need operative intervention. A cross-sectional study. Association of VA Surgeons Meeting, April 10-12, 2011, Irvine CA, 2011.
- Kougias P, Berger D, Pisimisis GT, Weakley S, McCoy S, Abbas A, Bechara C. A quality improvement project to accommodate expanding opeative volume and increasing complexity of case load in a single institution. Association of VA Surgeons Meeting, April 10-12, 2011, Irvine CA, 2011.
- Beadle T, Pisimisis GT, Weakley S, Lin P, Kougias P, Bechara C. Endovascular recanalization of complete aortic and iliac artery occlusions. Techniques, pitfalls and lessons learned. Association of VA Surgeons Meeting, April 10-12, 2011, Irvine CA, 2011.
- Ochoa L, Chen T, Pisimisis GT, Chen M, Lin P, Bechara C, Kougias P. Endovascular management of large type 2 endoleaks with IMA embolization. Association of VA Surgeons Meeting, April 10-12, 2011, Irvine CA, 2011.
- Kougias P, Berger D, Pisimisis GT, Weakley S, Lin P, Bechara C. Predicting the unpredictable. Is possible to model the time length of an operative intervention?. Association of VA Surgeons Meeting, April 10-12, 2011, Irvine CA, 2011.
- Kougias P, Berger D, Pisimisis GT, Weakley S, McCoy S, Abbas A, Bechara C. A quality improvement project to accommodate expanding operative volume and increasing complexity of case load in a single institution. Association of VA Surgeons Meeting, April 10-12, 2011, Irvine CA, 2011.
- Poi MJ, Pisimisis GT, Barshes NR, Lin PH, Kougias P, Bechara CF. Evaluating Effectiveness of Antibiotic Polymethylmethacrylate Beads in Treating Early and Late Vascular Graft Infections. Society for Vascular Surgery, Vascular Annual Meeting, June 6-10, 2012, National Harbor, MD, 2010.
- Pisimisis GT, Ricotta JJ, Oderich GS. Technique of Retrograde Superior Mesenteric Artery Stenting for Acute on Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia. 20th Annual Winter Meeting of the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, Complex Vascular Cases session, January 30, 2010, Vail CO, 2010.
- Pisimisis GT, Kantor B, Khoynezhad A, Lahr BD, Bailey KR, Kruse MJ, Walot I, Donayre CE, White RA. Incidence and Risk Factors of Renal Dysfunction after Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair. Society for Vascular Surgery, Vascular Annual Meeting, June 11-14, 2009, Denver CO 49:36S, 2009.
- Pisimisis GT, Karimi KM, Kalra M, Parker KD, Kantor B. Biodegradable Stents: Mechanism of In-stent Restenosis. Atherosclerosis Thrombosis & Vascular Biology Annual Conference, May 1, 2009, Washington D.C, 2009.
- Pisimisis GT, Karimi KM, Kalra M, Parker KD, Kantor B. Biodegradable Stents: Mechanism of In-stent Restenosis. SVS Research Initiatives in Vascular Disease Conference, April 28, 2009, Washington DC, 2009.
- LeMaire SA, Conklin LD, Pisimisis GT, Raskin SA, Coselli JS. Aortic Arch Repair with a New Cerebral Protection Strategy: Combined Intermittent Antegrade and Retrograde Cerebral Perfusion. Heart Surgery Forum 2002 5:269, 2002.
- LeMaire SA, Conklin LD, Pisimisis GT, Raskin SA, Coselli JS. Aortic Arch Repair with a New Cerebral Protection Strategy: Combined Intermittent Antegrade and Retrograde Cerebral Perfusion. Proceedings of the 22nd Annual San Diego Cardiothoracic Surgery Symposium 2002, 2002.
- LeMaire SA, Conklin LD, Pisimisis GT, Raskin SA, Coselli JS. Aortic Arch Repair with a New Cerebral Protection Strategy: Combined Intermittent Antegrade and Retrograde Cerebral Perfusion. Cardiovascular Surgery Outcomes 2002 Meeting, Key West, Florida, 2002.
Book Chapters
- Pisimisis GT, Gonzalez L. Peripheral Venous Disease. In: Color Atlas of Clinical Cardiology. Jaypee Medical Publishers: Philadelphia, PA, 2014.
- Brunner G, Pisimisis GT, Nambi V. Extracranial Carotid Disease. In: Color Atlas of Clinical Cardiology. Jaypee Medical Publishers: Philadelphia, PA, 2014.
- Pisimisis GT, Bechara CF. Aorto-iliac Occlussive Disease. In: New Techniques in Surgery: Vascular Surgery. Springer: London, 2012.