What Does Endovascular Mean?
Endovascular procedures uses a minimally invasive approach to re-opening blocked vessels and restoring blood flow to a threatened extremity. These procedures were originally designed for patients who are poor candidates for open surgery. Over the years, results have continued to improve and indications have been expanded to all patients. At Core Vascular Services, over 80 % of our patients have been treated successfully with this method reserving open surgical bypass for patients who can not be treated endovascularly. Our primary focus is limb salvage reserving amputation of the limb as a last resort. The endovascular procedures performed include but are not limited to the following:
Diagnostic peripheral arteriograms
Percutaneous peripheral balloon angioplasty and stent placement
Percutaneous peripheral atherectomy
Mechanical and chemical thrombolysis
Coil embolization of arterial venous malformation
Endovascular aortic reconstruction of abdominal aortic aneurysms
Diagnostic and therapeutic shuntograms / fistulograms / venograms
Before and After Images
Case Studies
“Popliteal artery “occlusion
Popliteal artery occlusion is associated with chronic history of diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, tobacco abuse and end-stage renal disease as seen in this picture. It also can be caused acutely if there is history of an irregular heart beat. When it occurs there is acute compromise of blood flow to the extremity and potential limb loss. If diagnosed in a timely fashion, endovascular procedures can be used to open the vessel and restore blood flow. In this case the CSI Diamond Back cutter was used to perform percutaneous atherectomy of the popliteal artery and posterior tibial artery followed by balloon angioplasty. A cartoon video of this procedure is posted below along with the before and after pictures.
“Percutaneous Atherectomy and Balloon Angioplasty to treat Claudication in the right leg”.
Claudication occurs when arteries become occluded with Atherosclerotic plaque. Atherosclerotic plaque builds up in vessels because of uncontrolled cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking. When it blocks arteries it causes pain in the legs with walking and in some cases it blocks multiple arteries which causes pain at rest which can lead to limb loss.
This intervention shows atherosclerotic plaque removed from the right leg superficial femoral artery using the techniques above to improve blood flow to the right foot. This is an outpatient procedure which allows you to go home the same day and experience immediate Improvement in symptoms.
Claudication secondary to “Mid Aortic Occlusion” .
Claudication is pain in your legs that occurs when your arterial vessels are block with atherosclerotic plaque disease associated with high cholesterol, diabetes, Hypertension and smoking. With endovascular techniques this can be treated percutaneously through a needle stick preventing the need for open surgical bypass. Patients experience immediate relief of symptoms and they are discharged home the same day as oppose to prolonged hospital stay and months of recovery associated with open surgical procedures. ( see pictures below)
