George Vetrovec, MD, furthering evolution of angioplasty for more than 30 years

With important changes unfolding regarding health care and payments to physicians, innovation in cardiology and medicine must not be relegated to a position of less importance, Vetrovec said.

Although dedicated to his patients and contributing to the body of research involving angioplasty, George Vetrovec, MD, brings balance to his life by spending time with his family and pursuing his interest of photography.

Vetrovec, a native of Ohio, has spent most of his life in Virginia, where he received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Virginia. For 35 years, Vetrovec has been on the faculty of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where he achieved the rank of full professor in 1986. He has served as chairman of the division of cardiology for 18 years, associate chairman of medicine for clinical affairs for 24 years and director of the adult cardiac catheterization laboratory, which is ongoing.

George Vetrovec, MD Faculty member of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Chairman of the division of cardiology and Director of the adult cardiac catheterization laboratory at VCU. Best Doctors in the United States list published by Woodward/White Inc., for more than 15 years. Member, Intervention section of Cardiology Today’s Editorial Board.

Currently, Vetrovec also serves as a consultant to the FDA New Cardiovascular Devices Panel and is an immediate past member of the subspecialty board on CVD of the American Board of Internal Medicine. His scholarly interests include improving the management of CAD, particularly related to catheterization and interventional techniques.

Additionally, Vetrovec has written or co-written more than 300 papers, eight book chapters and edited two texts on interventional cardiology. Among his awards and recognitions include the National AHA Award of Merit in 1991 and the first Richmond Golden Heart Award in 1997 and being on the Best Doctors in the United States list published by Woodward/White Inc., for more than 15 years.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not practicing medicine?

I mostly practice medicine, but I do enjoy a couple other things. First, I like to travel. I usually attach it to work travel but take a little extra time to see a place. Second, I like to take pictures, as I’m an amateur photographer, taking photographs mainly of scenes of places where I walk. And the third thing is I enjoy playing with my grandchildren.

If you hadn’t gone into cardiology or medicine, what would you have done?

I would have gone into engineering. Early in life, I was interested in mechanical, electrical things. I had a ham radio license as a kid and built my own radios. I guess, then, it’s not surprising I ended up in interventional cardiology.

What would you consider one of your biggest successes in your specialty?

That would be being a part of the evolution of angioplasty. When I started, we only did caths, and it was early in my career that we started doing angioplasty. Mike Kelly, MD, and I did the first angioplasty at the VCU in 1979, less than 2 years after the first one was done in the world. Seeing that evolution from where it started and where it is today has just been a remarkable trip, and I like to think that just through being involved in studies and publications about the procedure, I’ve in some small way contributed to the advancement.

What is the last book you read or music you purchased? Why, and what did you think of it?

The last book I read was Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell. I don’t tend to read much for fun, and what I do read is usually something that is knowledge-based rather than novelistic. All of Gladwell’s books have been fun, in that they explore why things happen from a different perspective. Outliers is remarkable. It delves into how the little things about when you’re born or when you start school make a big difference about your probability of success.

The last CD I bought was Susan Boyle’s Christmas CD.

Whom do you most admire, and what would you ask that person if you had 5 minutes with him/her?

That would be Larry King, who is retiring from CNN in the next several months. I would like to interview him regarding his most interesting interviews.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

My parents said to me, “Don’t waste time, work hard and people will notice it.” They got that point across. It’s carried me well.

Whom do you consider your mentor?

I’ve had two mentors at VCU, both former chairs of cardiology. One is Dave Richardson, MD, who actually hired me as a student to work in his lab. The other, who ultimately went on to be vice president of health affairs, was Hermes Kontos, MD, PhD, who also worked in research at the time. My first papers were with those two. They have each helped me along the way tremendously.

George Vetrovec, MD, pictured here with his grandchildren. Photo courtesy of: George Vetrovec, MD

What kind of diet and exercise regimen do you have?

I’m not 100% sure we know the right diet, but I tend to eat limited red meat — mostly fish. I try to keep calories controlled. But I do have the following rule: If I’m in Kansas City, I don’t eat fish. I make exceptions for the area that I’m in. One of the things I find amazing is that if my patients find me in a restaurant, they always want to see what I’m eating.

Regarding exercise, I walk regularly on a treadmill.

What do you think will have the biggest influence on cardiology in the next 10 years?

Health care reform and changes of payment being all lumped together will probably have the greatest impact. I hope that we find a way to do it without stifling innovation. That’s my real concern from my standpoint of trying to advance what we have. I hope we don’t at some point say, “Well, it’s as good as it’s going to get because that’s what we can predictably pay for.” That worries me.

To overcome this, academic centers and industry have to work together. There’s some confrontation at times developing, which is bad. We have to work together, along with government agencies, to make this work.

What is your favorite travel destination?

Outside of the United States, I’m going to say Bangkok. The people are so nice there. It’s described as “the country with a thousand smiles,” and it’s true. I’ve had wonderful experiences there. Domestically, I’d pick New York City. It’s just fun, so much to do.

What is your favorite restaurant?

[Before it recently closed] it was Panos and Paul’s in Atlanta. It was in a strip mall but had an old, 1890s sort of look and was a great place to eat. Now, I’d say my favorite restaurant is Tosca, an Italian restaurant in Washington, D.C. – by Brian Ellis