Vascular Procedures

Vascular procedures include any surgery that focuses on arteries and veins.  These procedures include:

• Dialysis Access Creation
• Carotid Endarterectomy
• Peripheral Arterial Disease Treatment
  
• Varicose Vein Stripping
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
  

Dialysis Access is a connection between an artery that provides a high volume of blood flow for hemodialysis.   The three types of vascular access are contrasted in our atricle titled Dialysis Access 101.

Carotid Endarterectomy is a surgical procedure used to prevent stroke, by correcting stenosis or narrowing in the carotid artery.  The material that has built up on the inside of the artery is removed to restore blood flow.  There are several contributing factors putting you at risk for carotid artery disease including:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Family history of coronary artery disease
• Obesity
• Lack of exercise 

Peripheral Arterial Disease is caused by the build up of plaque in the peripheral arteries over time which inhibits blood flow to the legs.  PAD is often treated first with medication.  Patients that do not respond favorably to medications may benefit from the following surgical procedures:

• Angioplasty
• Bypass Surgery
• Thrombolytic Therapy

If left untreated this may cause aching in the legs, difficulty walking, non-healing sores or infections in the feet, and can lead to limb loss in severe cases.  In addion to surgery the physician may recommend a supervised extercise program to improve symptoms of PAD.

Varicose Veins are veins that have become enlarged and tortuous. This occurs most commonly in the veins of the leg, although varicose veins can occur elsewhere. Varicose veins are most common in the superficial veins of the legs, which are subject to high pressure when standing. Besides cosmetic problems, varicose veins are often painful, especially when standing or walking. They often itch, and scratching them can cause ulcers or sores.  There are two types of surgery we can do to remove varicose veins.

• Conventional Varicose Vein Ligation and Stripping is done when an incision is made below the vein.  The vein is then grasped and removed.
• Laser Ablation is a minimally invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency or laser energy to cauterize (burn) and close varicose veins.

Treatments for varicose veins are considered minor surgery and typically do not require a hospital stay.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm is the swelling or ballooning of the abdominal aorta resulting from a weakened section of the artery that cannot support the force from the flow of blood.  Two options for repair are available:

• Open Surgical Repair
• Endovascular Repair (use of a stent)

The type of repair will be largely based on the size of the aneurysm as well as your general health.  If left untreated, this condition could result in a rupture (bursting) of the aorta, this risk of rupture increases with the size of the aneurysm and high blood pressure.