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Vascular Surgery
Minimally Invasive Treatments for Blood Flow Issues
There are many reasons a patient and their doctor may opt for vascular surgery. The good news is, at Wooster Community Hospital, we make sure you get the specialty care and treatment you need, no matter your vascular condition or concern.
Conditions Treated With Vascular Surgery
Vascular surgery is used to treat a great many circulatory issues, including:
An aneurysm is a bulge in a weakened artery, which makes it more likely to burst. A common location for aneurysm to occur is in the abdomen, a condition called an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA (“Triple A”).
When a mass of blood forms within a blood vessel in your body, it is called a blood clot, or thrombus. Blood clots can be life-threatening if it blocks blood flow to the heart or brain.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common type of blood clot that forms in the deep veins, typically in the legs. It can cause swelling in the legs and, if the blood clot gets loose and travels back to the heart and lungs, it can cause a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism.
The carotid arteries are the two main arteries transporting oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to the brain. If these arteries, located on either side of your neck, become blocked, it can lead to stroke. Carotid artery disease describes the narrowing of these arteries, typically due to plaque build-up (atherosclerosis).
Peripheral artery disease refers to when the arteries that carry blood to your limbs become clogged. It typically affects the legs, and the predominant symptom of PAD is painful cramping with movement that is relieved with rest.
Varicose veins are noticeably swollen and twisted veins that most often develop in the legs, due to the pooling of blood in damaged veins. The condition can cause swelling in the feet and legs and a painful or heavy sensation in the legs.
Types of Vascular Surgery
Vascular surgery may be conducted in the traditional “open” surgical manner, as well as in a much less invasive manner that involves accessing the target site through existing blood vessels using miniature surgical tools and technology. It’s the latter endovascular approach that is most often chosen – although which is right for you will depend on the condition being treated as well as other factors unique to your situation.
During an endovascular approach, your WCH physician may require only a needle puncture through the skin in order to thread a tiny catheter through blood vessels to the target site. Different therapies can be provided via the catheter. When the procedure is complete, the catheter is removed, and you are often left with just a bandage over the point of entry – no stiches needed!
Treatments commonly provided using vascular surgery include:
- Angioplasty & stenting – creates a larger opening within clogged arteries and keeps it open
- Radiofrequency ablation & cryoablation – uses applied heat or cold, respectively, to close problematic veins
- Sclerotherapy – introduces an irritant to close off a malfunctioning blood vessel
- Dialysis access – creates an arteriovenous fistula or other access point through which patients with kidney disease can receive dialysis
Benefits of an Endovascular Approach
These minimally invasive vascular treatments offer numerous benefits to patients, especially compared to conventional open surgery. These benefits include:
- Same-day, outpatient procedure
- Minimal to no scarring
- Speedy recovery period
- Significant reduction in post-op pain
- Lowered risk of infection
Interested in Vascular Surgery? WCH Can Help
If you need vascular surgery, ask your doctor if you’re a good candidate for an endovascular approach by one of the vascular specialists at Wooster Community Hospital. For more information, call (330) 263-8282.
