This podcast highlights Dr. Rick Bernstein's groundbreaking work in preventing foot and leg amputations due to Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) using his FOCUS exam. 

Dr. Bernstein, a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon, performing successful heart transplant operations, made a fascinating decision to alter the course of his medical practice of medicine to focus on preventing foot and leg amputations due to CLI.

Dr. Bernstein is an advocate for the early detection of the narrowing of arteries effecting our blood flow through a detailed doppler ultrasound he performs called a FOCUS exam, which stands for, Fully Observational Complete Ultrasound Screening. He strongly believes in “surveillance care medical procedures” such as his FOCUS exam, much like a colonoscopy has become the standard procedure for the early detection of colon cancer.

He stresses the importance of specialized care for CLI, highlighting how delays in diagnosis and treatment often lead to unnecessary amputations. Dr. Bernstein also discusses alternative procedures to amputation, including endovascular treatments, and underscores the devastating impact of limb loss on patients and their families.

He shares his personal journey, including his decision to retrain in CLI treatment– which included closing his practice twice to pursue new medical fellowship training and urges patients to be proactive in seeking specialized care to prevent amputations.

Dr. Bernstein's practice, Advanced Cardiac & Vascular Center of Las Vegas, can be contacted 24/7 at: (702) 878-8346| ACVLV.com⁠.

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Timeline of Podcast:

1. Music Intro

2. 0:15 Your circulatory system is akin to your home plumbing.

3. 0:45 Introduction to Dr. Rick Bernstein: Medical Detective

4. 1:20 What is CLI (Critical Limb Ischemia) in a General Way?

5. 2:40 “Time Is Tissue”

6. 3:00 Early Warning Signs

7. 4:00 What happens in the body when CLI is present?

8. 5:05 Introduction to the FOCUS exam

9. 5:30 Listening to your blood flow to identify problems/blockages

10. 7:30 Frustration with Current Medical System re CLI

11. 8:05 What Sparked Dr. Bernstein’s Interest in CLI/Preventing Amputation

12. 8:40 Stopping Practice Twice to Pursue Fellowships in CLI Training

13. 9:30 “Rotor Rooter Procedure” to Remove Plaque From Arteries

14. 10:30 The “Beurocratic Maze of CLI”

15. 11:15 “The Medical Masqueraders of CLI”

16. 12:00 Brushing Off Early Symptoms of CLI by Both Patients and Doctors

17. 12:50 “The two diagnoses that doctor’s don’t make are the ones they don’t know about and the ones they don’t think about!”

18. 13:10 The Importance About Being Proactive About Your Health re CLI

19. 14:00 Dr. Bernstein’s Personal Journey: Following in His Father’s Surgical Footsteps

20. 17:50 Treatment Options After Arterial Blockage or CLI Diagnosis

21. 20:10 Post-Op Recovery

22. 20:30 Preventing and Managing CLI: Paying Attention to Your Feet

23. 23:00 Living A Full Life – Not Just Living

24. 23:45 Comparing Colonoscopy Screenings to the FOCUS Exam

25. 24:15 Becoming Better Detectives When It Comes to Our Health

26. 25:00 How to Deal With a Doctor Who Dismisses Your CLI Concerns

27. 25:30 What Type of Doctor Should One See if They Feel They Have Circulatory Problems

28. 26:10 Contact: Advanced Cardiovascular of Las Vegas: (702) 878-8346 | ⁠ACVLV.com⁠

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Quotes & Keywords:

1. CLI

2. FOCUS exam

3. ”Time Is Tissue”

4. “Medical Masqueraders”

5. “The two diagnoses that doctor’s don’t make are the ones they don’t know about and the ones they don’t think about!”

6. Medical Detective

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Podcast Credits:

Conceived & Produced by:B. Elijah Aviv.

Written by:B. Elijah Aviv & Rick Bernstein, M.D., FACS

B. Elijah Aviv is a Multidisciplinary Artist, Musician and Inventor.

Dr. Bernstein is a renowned Cardio-Vascular Surgeon & Thoracic Surgeon with a specialty in Vascular Surgery & Limb Preservation.

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All information in this podcast is based upon interviews, discussions and writings of Dr. Bernstein.