Leading by Example

Our physicians are not only excellent clinicians, but are continuously leading efforts to better understand and treat a variety of gastrointestinal afflictions.

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Currently enrolling research studies:

Centocor Ulcerative Colitis Study

A Phase 2/3 Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Golimumab Induction Therapy, Administered Subcutaneously, in Subjects with Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis.

Millennium Ulcerative Colitis Study

A Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Multicenter Study Of The Induction and Maintenance Of Clinical Response And Remission by Vedolizumab In Patients With Moderate To Severe Ulcerative Colitis

Millennium Crohn's Disease Study

A Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Blinded, Multicenter Study of the Induction and Maintenance of Clinical Response and Remission by Vedolizumab in Patients with Moderate to Severe Crohn's Disease

Millennium Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease Study

A Phase 3, Open-label Study to Determine the Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Vedolizumab  in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease

HALO Patient Registry: Ablation of Barrett’s Esophagus
Design Prospective or Retrospective, Multi-Center Patient Registry

Objective To provide a research tool enabling physicians to monitor their clinical outcomes for patients undergoing ablation of Barrett’s esophagus with the HALO Ablation System(s).

Patient Population For prospective data collection: Adult patients presenting with esophageal intestinal metaplasia (IM), including the pathological subclasses of non-dysplastic IM, low-grade dysplasia (LGD) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD).

For retrospective data collection: Adult patients presenting with esophageal intestinal metaplasia (IM), including the pathological subclasses of non-dysplastic IM, low-grade dysplasia (LGD) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD), who were treated with radiofrequency ablation of Barrett’s esophagus with the HALO Ablation System(s) prior to agreeing to participate in the Registry program and enter those data into the Registry database

Time Course Enrolled patients are treated until visibly and histologically clear of Barrett’s esophagus. All patients have biopsy at 12 months and continue at least yearly surveillance thereafter.

Outcomes • Endoscopic clearance rate for Barrett’s esophagus

·     Histological clearance rate for intestinal metaplasia
·     Histological clearance rate for dysplasia
·     Sub-squamous intestinal metaplasia
·     Patient quality of life (baseline vs. 12 month)
·     Adverse event incidence

Previous research:

Salix Irritable Bowel Syndrome Study

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter Study To Assess The Efficacy And Safety Of Rifaximin 550mg TID In The Treatment Of Subjects With Non-Constipation Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Eisai Moderate to Severe Erosive Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

A Randomized, Double-Blind Parallel Study of Rabeprazole Extended-Release 50mg Versus Esomeprazole 40mg for Healing And Symptomatic Relief Of Moderate to Severe Erosive Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
 

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Advanced Endoscopy Clinic

GANV was first in Northern Virginia to establish an Advanced Endoscopy Clinic that provides a comprehensive array of endoscopic services. The clinic functions in conjunction with INOVA Fairfax Hospital and is led by our interventional gastroentrologists, Dr. Byungki Kim and Dr. Behzad Kalaghchi.

The clinic's primary goal is to provide timely, appropriate and satisfactory care to all patients. We consistently keep referring physicians updated about the care their patients are receiving by arranging follow-up sessions with them. We pledge to provide the highest level of care to all patients and provide them a satisfying experience.

Drs. Kim and Kalaghchi are highly skilled in performing:

Barrett's Esophagus/Esophageal Neoplasia:
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) Staging
Barrx (Halo) Radiofrequency Ablation
Endoscopic Mucosal Resection

Benign Pancreatieo-Biliary Disease:
Sphincter of Oddi Manometry
EUS Guided Pancreatic Pseudocyst Drainage

Pancreatico-Biliary Neoplasia:
EUS-FNA for diagnosis and staging of pancreatic Solid and Cystic lesions
EUS Guided Celiac Plexus Neurolysis
Endoscopic Ampullectomy

Colorectal Neoplasia:
EUS staging of rectal cancers

Thoracic Neoplasia:
EUS-FNA staging of Lung cancer
EUS-FNA diagnosis of Mediastinal masses and lymph nodes

To discuss your cases with our physicians and make arrangements for evaluation, call us at 703-698-8960.

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Liver Disease Clinic

At GANV, our physician specialists offer comprehensive care for the diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases of all types.  We also coordinate care for patients listed for liver transplant at centers outside Northern Virginia.

Through our association with the INOVA Center for Liver Disease, GANV has access to an array of research protocols for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease and other liver disorders.

We look forward to providing care for anyone whose life is touched by liver disease.

Care Provided
Our physicians provide care for many medical conditions including (but not limited to) the following:
Abnormal Liver Function tests
Ascites
Autoimmune liver disease
Cirrhosis
Esophageal Varices
Hepatitis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis due to the use of medications or alcohol.
Hemochromotosis
Jaundice
Preoperative and postoperative management for patients needing liver transplant
Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Portal Hypertension
Portal Vein Thrombosis
Tumors of Liver and Bile Ducts

Providers with particular interests in liver diseases:
Peter Scudera, MD
Byungki Kim, MD
Michael Garone, MD
Jeremias Tan, MD

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) clinic of GANV is a highly specialized patient care and research facility, exclusively focused on providing comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for adults with IBD.

The IBD Clinic provides adult patients with comprehensive medical services, including personalized healthcare and an integrated team of experienced specialists.

The IBD Clinic's team of experts offers broad-based knowledge in every area of IBD treatment, including innovative immune-suppressing drug therapy. The IBD Clinic is designed to provide the greatest of comfort and ease to patients and family members who are dealing with the difficult medical conditions and treatments.

Our Remicade Infusion Suite, in conjunction with IBD Clinic, provides convenient in-office Remicade infusion therapy in our Williams Drive office. This Suite is operated by our experienced nurses, under direct supervision of physicians.

Providers in Practice:
Kenneth Mirkin, MD
Michael Garone ,MD
Tonya Adams, MD
Asma Khapra, MD
Jeremias Tan, MD

Hemmorrhoid Clinic

Our physicians at the Hemorrhoid Clinic have provided hundreds of patients with lasting relief from hemorrhoids without anesthesia, surgery, or lengthy recovery times. Our caring experienced staff of physicians, anesthesiologists and nurses are ready to help you ease your discomfort. Patient comfort is our number one priority when you come to us, and everything we do is strictly confidential.

Providers in Practice:
Ahmed Hegab, MD
Jeremias Tan, MD

Procedures Performed:

Infrared Coagulation (IRC)
Infrared Coagulation is a non-invasive, non-surgical hemorrhoid treatment. A small probe contacts the area above the hemorrhoid, exposing the tissue to a quick pulse of infrared light. This coagulates the vein above the hemorrhoid, causing the hemorrhoid to shrink and recede. The patient may feel a slight sensation of heat but our Infrared Coagulation hemorrhoid treatment is generally not painful. Treatment with IRC is painless, safe, and effective. Before treatment, your physician will conduct a routine external and internal examination to chart your hemorrhoid disease and ensure that there is no other disease responsible for your symptoms. This examination takes only a few minutes.

Rubber Band Ligation
Rubber band ligation is another effective nonoperative (without incision or excision) treatment for internal hemorrhoids that don't respond to self-care. Sometimes referred to as "banding," rubber band ligation is a relatively simple procedure in which the doctor attaches tiny rubber bands to the base of internal hemorrhoids. With their circulation cut off, they painlessly fall away after seven to 10 days and are expelled with stool. Usually only one or more hemorrhoids are treated at a time, so a patient may need to have additional hemorrhoids treated after four to six weeks.

An analgesic is usually prescribed after the surgery. Aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and anticoagulants should not be taken for two weeks afterwards, as they could increase bleeding. Warm baths can help relieve pain from anal sphincter spasms, which some people may experience after the procedure.

If a patient has severe pain immediately or pain which gets progressively worse, it's possible that the rubber band was placed too low near the anal opening and will need to be removed. Rarely, a serious infection can develop after rubber band ligation. Patients should seek immediate treatment if they experience persistent anal pain, inability to urinate or fever. Because of the chance for infection, rubber band ligation is not a good option for people with immunodeficiencies such as AIDS, transplant patients and patients on chemotherapy.