Dr. Ronald Colapinto
Dr. Ronald Colapinto FRCP(C), DMR(D), is the founder and director of the Toronto Vascular Institute (TVI). A graduate of the University of Toronto he is a vascular radiologist who was in charge of the peripheral angiography department at the Toronto General Hospital from 1964 to 1985. He was appointed a full professor at the University of Toronto in 1984. He was elected a Fellow of the Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology in 1986.
In 1978 Dr. Colapinto was one of the first physicians in Canada to perform balloon angioplasty to open blocked arteries in the legs. Since that time he has personally performed over 6000 angioplasties which is one of the largest experiences with this procedure in the world.
Dr.Colapinto has published over 50 articles in peer reviewed journals addressing all aspects of angiography and angioplasty. He has presented his work at meetings throughout North America and Europe.
In 1981 at the Toronto General Hospital he performed the first TIPS procedure (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portocaval Shunt). This procedure has been widely adapted world- wide and has been responsible for saving the lives of many patients suffering from advanced liver disease.
Dr. Colapinto pioneered out-patient angiography with the opening of TVI in 1985. Founded on three basic principles (read "Our Mission" to learn more about these principles), TVI was created from his belief that most angiographic procedures do not require hospitalization. Until it was proven at TVI that angioplasty could be performed safely on an out-patient basis, patients requiring this procedure were routinely admitted to hospital for periods of one to two days. Most hospitals have now accepted the safety of this procedure and also perform angioplasty on an out-patient basis which benefits the patient and has resulted in large savings to Canada's health care system.
In 1978 Dr. Colapinto was one of the first physicians in Canada to perform balloon angioplasty to open blocked arteries in the legs. Since that time he has personally performed over 6000 angioplasties which is one of the largest experiences with this procedure in the world.
Dr.Colapinto has published over 50 articles in peer reviewed journals addressing all aspects of angiography and angioplasty. He has presented his work at meetings throughout North America and Europe.
In 1981 at the Toronto General Hospital he performed the first TIPS procedure (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portocaval Shunt). This procedure has been widely adapted world- wide and has been responsible for saving the lives of many patients suffering from advanced liver disease.
Dr. Colapinto pioneered out-patient angiography with the opening of TVI in 1985. Founded on three basic principles (read "Our Mission" to learn more about these principles), TVI was created from his belief that most angiographic procedures do not require hospitalization. Until it was proven at TVI that angioplasty could be performed safely on an out-patient basis, patients requiring this procedure were routinely admitted to hospital for periods of one to two days. Most hospitals have now accepted the safety of this procedure and also perform angioplasty on an out-patient basis which benefits the patient and has resulted in large savings to Canada's health care system.