VASILAKOPOULOS I. THEODOROS

The professor of pulmonology VASILAKOPOULOS I THEODOROS operates his practice in Athens. He is the Director of the 2nd Pulmonology Clinic of ‘Errikos Dunan’ hospital & Coordinator Director of Intensive Care Units of the same hospital.

At the practice of Professor Theodoros I. Vassilakopoulos all the respiratory diseases are treated, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Moreover, the doctor treats respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, sleep apnea syndrome, interstitial lung disease.

Furthermore, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis are treated, while the diagnosis of lung cancer and smoking cessation are performed.

At the same time, functional respiratory control, nocturnal oximetry are performed, as well as initial sleep study, which is performed at home. When there are indications, Professor Vassilakopoulos performs bronchoscopy at a safe hospital environment.

In more detail, the services the doctor provides are the following:

Functional respiration control: It is a series of examinations / tests that give a picture of the functionality of the lungs.

Spirometry: The most common and known examination, which is a fundamental examination for the diagnosis, as well as the monitoring of a series of lung diseases. The patient takes a deep breath and exhales with all of his/her force inside an apparatus called spirometer. It is a simple and painless examination.

Nocturnal oximetry: It is the measurement of oxygen saturation, during the night. It is now performed bloodlessly and with very high precision, with the use of the method of pulse oximetry (SpO2). The change of the oxygen saturation value in the blood during sleep is considered the most important parameter for the detection of sleep apnea. However, it is also used for other conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in order to clarify whether the patient requires the administration of oxygen during the night.

Initial sleep study: It is performed at home, with the use of ResMedApneaLink, the diagnostic apparatus for the control of obstructive sleep apnea and the oximetry of the patient, which has the capacity to detect Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR). It is practical and easy-to-use apparatus with precise measurements and assessment of the results.

Bronchoscopy: Bronchoscopy is the procedure, by which the doctor examines the large airways of the patient (trachea, bronchi), which are the principal tracts that carry air into the lungs. The fiber optic bronchoscope is the device that is used and consists of a thin, flexible endoscope, which has the thickness of a pencil. The examination is performed when there are certain indications, at a safe hospital environment with the administration of sedation and local anesthesia to the patient.

Smoking cessation: Smoking is a psychological and physical dependence, which is very difficult to stop, without specialized medical help. Many of our fellow citizens cannot stop or limit their smoking habits, while the rate of relapse in the people who have stopped smoking by themselves is very high. Smoking cessation is an integrated medical intervention, with psychological and pharmacological support, if it is necessary, in order to break the addiction of smoking.

The doctor makes visits at home, after telephone consultation.