Britt Tonnessen, MD
Associate Professor of Surgery (Vascular)Cards
About
Research
Publications
2025
Association of 5-Factor Modified Frailty Index With Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation Outcomes
Li J, Kumi M, Loh S, Aboian E, Chaar C, Tonnessen B. Association of 5-Factor Modified Frailty Index With Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation Outcomes. Journal Of Vascular Surgery 2025, 82: e110-e111. DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2025.06.105.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPreoperative smoking cessation impacts presentation and neurologic outcomes of carotid endarterectomy
Schwartz A, Carter W, Tonnessen B, Arhuidese I, Cardella J, Dardik A, Ochoa Chaar C. Preoperative smoking cessation impacts presentation and neurologic outcomes of carotid endarterectomy. Journal Of Vascular Surgery 2025 PMID: 40992521, DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2025.09.032.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchVascular Quality InitiativeTransient ischemic attackSmoking cessation durationLong-term outcomesChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCessation durationCarotid endarterectomyNeurological outcomeNeurological eventsFollow-upFormer smokersCurrent smokersGroup of former smokersStatistically significant risk reductionDuration of smoking cessationSmoking cessationKaplan-Meier analysisOutcomes of carotid endarterectomyIpsilateral neurologic eventsSignificant risk reductionChronic kidney diseaseDuration of quittingAssociated with outcomeObstructive pulmonary diseasePerioperative mortalitySmoking Cessation Duration is associated with the risk of amputation after Revascularization for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia
Carter W, Schwartz A, Sumpio B, Strosberg D, Tonnessen B, Cardella J, Guzman R, Ochoa Chaar C. Smoking Cessation Duration is associated with the risk of amputation after Revascularization for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia. Journal Of Vascular Surgery 2025 PMID: 40912340, DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2025.08.037.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchChronic limb-threatening ischemiaCurrent smokersFormer smokersSmoking cessationMajor amputationLower extremity revascularizationCessation durationLimb-threatening ischemiaDuration of smoking cessationQuality InitiativeStandardized follow-up periodsRisk of amputationSmoking cessation durationVascular Quality InitiativeFormer smokingCurrent smokingPerioperative outcomesBlack racePeripheral vascular interventionsAmputationSmokingEnd-stage renal diseaseMonths of surgeryKaplan-Meier analysisFollow-up periodTiming of outpatient stenting is associated with stent size in nonthrombotic iliac vein lesions
Schultz K, Rodriguez P, Ali S, Attaran R, Lozada J, Huber S, Tonnessen B, Aboian E, Guzman R, Chaar C. Timing of outpatient stenting is associated with stent size in nonthrombotic iliac vein lesions. Journal Of Vascular Surgery Venous And Lymphatic Disorders 2025, 14: 102303. PMID: 40850563, PMCID: PMC12495162, DOI: 10.1016/j.jvsv.2025.102303.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNonthrombotic iliac vein lesionsIliac vein lesionsVein lesionsLate cohortStent sizeStent placementRetrospective studyRetrospective study of patientsMultivariate logistic regression analysisTime of stentingIliac vein stentingDay of surgeryStudy of patientsFirst-time treatmentEarly cohortMultivariate logistic regressionLogistic regression analysisIntravascular ultrasound examinationVein stentingVenous stentingStenting timeBaseline characteristicsUltrasound examinationVolume deficitsSmall stentsFrailty and Functional Decline after Elective Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair in Octogenarians
Li J, Slade M, Gill T, Bader J, Guzman R, Tonnessen B, Kuwayama D, Dardik A, Cardella J, Ochoa Chaar C. Frailty and Functional Decline after Elective Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair in Octogenarians. Journal Of Vascular Surgery 2025 PMID: 40835162, DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2025.08.011.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchElective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repairEndovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repairAbdominal aortic aneurysm repairAortic aneurysm repairModified Frailty IndexFollow-upRisk Analysis IndexRisk factorsAneurysm repairValidation cohortDevelopment cohortEastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance statusAsymptomatic infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysmFunctional declineInfrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysmVascular Quality Initiative (VQI) databaseFrailty assessmentCongestive heart failureAbdominal aortic aneurysmLong-term mortality riskChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseFrailty indexObstructive pulmonary diseasePreoperative factorsPreoperative comorbiditiesDeconstructing the Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of intermittent claudication
Tonnessen B, Schermerhorn M. Deconstructing the Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of intermittent claudication. Journal Of Vascular Surgery 2025, 82: 301-302. PMID: 40685188, DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2025.05.029.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOutcomes of mechanical thrombectomy for acute limb ischemia at a tertiary referral center Presented at the Fifty-first Annual Meeting of the New England Society for Vascular Surgery, Portland, Maine, October 25-27, 2024.
Loh S, Nasir A, Strosberg D, Chaar C, Guzman R, Tonnessen B. Outcomes of mechanical thrombectomy for acute limb ischemia at a tertiary referral center Presented at the Fifty-first Annual Meeting of the New England Society for Vascular Surgery, Portland, Maine, October 25-27, 2024. European Journal Of Vascular And Endovascular Surgery 2025, 70: e15. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2025.06.015.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchA Delphi-consensus of US vascular surgeons on “OPioid prescripTION in VASCular surgery”
Schaper N, D’Oria M, Drudi L, Paul A, Smeds M, Group C, Ahmed A, Aulivola B, Aziz F, Bath J, Bose S, Brooke B, Calligaro K, Charlton-Ouw K, Coleman D, Dalman R, DeMartino R, DiMusto P, Eidt J, Escobar G, Humphries M, Logan M, Longo G, McDevitt D, Mitchell E, Moursi M, O'Banion L, Qato K, Roche-Nagle G, Shalhub S, Shaw P, Sheahan M, Shutze W, Simons J, Singh N, Stoner M, Tonnessen B, Velazquez G, Vavra A, Vemuri C. A Delphi-consensus of US vascular surgeons on “OPioid prescripTION in VASCular surgery”. Journal Of Vascular Surgery 2025 PMID: 40582428, DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2025.06.032.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid prescriptionsVascular surgeonsDelphi consensusLevel IIOpioid prescribing habitsPostoperative opioid prescriptionsVascular surgery patientsCohen's kappaLevel IIntraclass correlation coefficientSenior vascular surgeonOpioid usageOpioid medicationsSurgery patientsGrade BOpioidPatient managementConsensus recommendationsLevel IIIVascular surgeryMedical managementPrescribing habitsPractice patternsGrade AFleiss' kappaChallenging inferior vena cava filter removal complicated by strut penetration and prolonged dwell
Kostiuk V, Rodriguez P, Tonnessen B, Lozada J, Guzman R, Chaar C. Challenging inferior vena cava filter removal complicated by strut penetration and prolonged dwell. Journal Of Vascular Surgery Cases And Innovative Techniques 2025, 11: 101894. PMID: 40778295, PMCID: PMC12329293, DOI: 10.1016/j.jvscit.2025.101894.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchInferior vena cavaInferior vena cava filter removalFilter removalAnticoagulant therapyStrut penetrationProximal right common iliac arteryPlacement of inferior vena cavaRight common iliac arteryFilter strut penetrationPulmonary embolism preventionInferior vena cava wallCommon iliac arteryL4 vertebral bodyEmbolism preventionFrequent complicationVena cavaFilter retrievalIliac arteryPatient's symptomsSurrounding organsVertebral bodyTemporary placementPatientsAnticoagulationTherapyThe Incremental Risk of Major Amputation With Reinterventions in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease
Carter W, Alameddine D, Said S, Aboian E, Tonnessen B, Cardella J, Guzman R, Chaar C. The Incremental Risk of Major Amputation With Reinterventions in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease. Journal Of Vascular Surgery 2025, 81: e186-e187. DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2025.03.332.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Medtronic Product Surveillance Registry
HIC ID2000033773RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date12/31/2023Recruiting ParticipantsDouble blind randomized autologous stem cell trial treatment for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with critical limb threatening ischemia
HIC ID2000032326RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date12/31/2023Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18+ yearsDrug-Eluting Registry: Real-World Treatment of Lesions in the Peripheral Vasculature (ELEGANCE)
HIC ID2000031921REGRoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date01/01/2028Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18+ years
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Clinical Care
Overview
Britt H. Tonnessen, MD, FACS is a vascular surgeon who treats patients with a variety of conditions that affect the arteries and veins, including carotid disease, peripheral vascular disease, venous disease, and thoracic outlet syndrome. As a vascular expert, she cares for older patients with hardening of the arteries, as well as younger patients who may develop different types of problems, such as varicose veins or chronic wounds on the legs.
Dr. Tonnessen says the decision to become a doctor came naturally to her. “I wanted to help people. It's as simple as that.” She was inspired by excellent mentorship and early exposure to vascular surgery as a medical student at the Mayo Clinic in the 1990s.
She ultimately became a vascular surgeon for three reasons. “One, you have continuity of patient care over time—these are patients you follow for many years. Two, the science behind the work I do is logical and interesting. Three, minimally invasive “endovascular” techniques have really revolutionized the field," she says. "When I was an intern, all of the patients had large incisions on their abdomens. Traditional surgery is still appropriate for some, but now we can do many procedures through a small puncture in the groin or even in the foot.”
Vascular surgery can be demanding, but there are many rewards, Dr. Tonnessen says. “It's so gratifying for me to get a cold foot back to a warm foot (because circulation has improved), to relieve pain for someone whose leg has been swollen for years, or to repair someone's potentially life-threatening aneurysm through a couple of small groin punctures," she says. "In medicine, we're never looking for a thank you, but the satisfaction from patients whose lives were transformed has made it all worthwhile.”
Clinical Specialties
Vascular & Endovascular Surgery
Fact Sheets
Vascular Surgery
Learn More on Yale MedicineThoracic Outlet Syndrome
Learn More on Yale MedicinePeripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
Learn More on Yale MedicinePreparing for Dialysis (AV Fistula)
Learn More on Yale Medicine
Board Certifications
Vascular Surgery
- Certification Organization
- AB of Surgery
- Original Certification Date
- 2008
Surgery General
- Certification Organization
- AB of Surgery
- Original Certification Date
- 2005
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Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy
330 Cedar Street, Boardman 204
New Haven, CT 06510
United States
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