Vascular Services
Here are some of the advanced vascular surgeries and procedures performed at The
Heart & Vascular Center:
Endarterectomy – This is a procedure in which a fatty plaque buildup is removed from the artery. The vascular surgeon makes an incision over the affected artery and removes the plaque in the artery’s lining. This procedure leaves an open artery to restore blood flow.
Leg bypass surgery – Performed when an endovascular approach is not feasible, this bypass is done when you have a blockage in the main artery in your leg. The surgeon either uses one of your veins or an artificial vein to bypass the blockage and provide blood flow to the lower leg again.
Abdominal aneurysm – Aneurysms of the aorta are thoracic, abdominal or both. The abdominal aneurysm below the renal arteries is the most common and poses the least risk with surgery. High risk patients may be a candidate for a stent graft, done with endovascular technique. Thoracic aneurysms pose a much higher risk of death and complications. We use newer techniques to do the thoracic aneurysm to lessen morbidity.
Dialysis access – Dialysis access is an entrance into your bloodstream that is beneath your skin and easy to use. The access is usually in your arm or leg and allows the blood to be safely removed and returned quickly. This is the most common treatment for kidney failure. A dialysis machine, like an artificial kidney, circulates blood through a machine to remove impurities, regulate fluid and improve chemical balances.
Renal artery stents – Renal artery stent placement has been demonstrated to improve blood pressure control and stabilize patients with atherosclerotic renal artery disease. This procedure is not without risks; however, interventional cardiologists at St. Helena have a high level of experience in this area, which can help reduce those risks.
Percutaneous Endovascular Procedures – Non-invasive approaches can be used to detect symptoms of blockages in the arms and legs. The patient can then be treated with a same day procedure using atherectomy devices, specialized balloons or stents in the major arteries of the extremities. These procedures are very low risk in comparison to surgical revascularization.
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