Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections
Aneurysms are stretched and enlarged arteries. This is commonly seen in the chest or abdomen (thoracic or abdominal aortic aneurysms), and sometimes in other arteries throughout the body.
Dissections are when the internal lining of an artery is damaged and split. Vascular surgeons commonly treat dissections of the thoracic and abdominal aorta.
Peripheral Arterial Disease
When arteries become narrowed or blocked they can reduce the blood supply to downstream organs. This can include muscles which can cause pain on exercise, or skin which results in persistent wounds or ulcers.
Carotid Artery Disease
Cholesterol plaque in the carotid arteries of the neck can lead to stroke due to clot or plaque breaking off (emboli). Vascular surgeons can treat and remove these plaques to reduce the risk of future stroke.
Varicose Veins and Chronic Venous Disease
When veins are placed under high pressure, upstream veins just under the skin can become distended and engorged (varicose veins), limbs can swell, and skin damage can develop including pigmentation and ulceration.
Haemodialysis and Vascular Access
Vascular access involves the placement of catheters, ports or other devices to facilitate the safe and rapid delivery of intravenous fluid or medication, including chemotherapy. Patients requiring haemodialysis often require arteriovenous fistulae to make their life-supporting treatment possible.
Other conditions
A wide range of less common conditions are also managed by vascular surgeons. These include arterial and venous compression syndromes such as thoracic outlet syndrome, median arcuate ligament syndrome, May Thurner syndrome, pelvic congestion syndrome, painful varicocoeles and arteriovenous malformations.
Vascular surgeons are also involved in complex cancer surgery, repeat surgery where blood vessels are at risk of damage or injury, and organ transplantation.
In emergency bleeding or trauma vascular surgeons play a critical role in controlling bleeding and repairing blood vessels.
Non-invasive vascular ultrasound is a key plank in investigating vascular disease. This test involves using a probe applied to the skin to see into the body using sound waves and echoes, similar to sonar.
Ultrasound can be used to diagnose and monitor vascular conditions, and to plan or conduct surgery.
Minimally invasive procedures, such as injection sclerotherapy or endovenous ablation, are often performed with ultrasound guidance.
With modern, minimally-invasive techniques, many parts of the body can be accessed through a small needle in the groin or arm. We can then inject contrast dye which is visible under x-ray to see blood flow in arteries and veins. This is called an angiogram.
Using similar techniques, surgeons can insert balloons, stents, and various devices to re-open blocked arteries and veins, remove or dissolve clots, repair aneurysms, or stop bleeding.
Some vascular conditions cannot be treated with endovascular techniques and require an incision and traditional open surgery. Modern surgical and anaesthetic techniques mean that this surgery can be done much more safely, with lower risk and quicker recovery than before.
Vascular surgeons take great care to prepare and plan all surgery so that it can be done as safely and as successfully as possible.
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At Eastern Vascular we strive to provide a quality service to our patients and our referrers. If you have feedback on how to improve our service then please feel free to let us know either in person, via our suggestion box in our waiting area, or using the online web form above.
