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Leg pain? New less- invasive vascular procedures available to put you back on your feet.
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Vascular Specialists
There are several types of specialists in the multidisciplinary Vascular Center at the Christ Hospital. They include: cardiothoracic surgeons, interventional cardiologists, interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons. Often, your primary care physician or referring physicians will tell you which type of specialist you will need to see. However, if you are self-referral, our vascular specialists will work together to determine the best plan of care for you.
Cardiothoracic Surgeons
Cardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of diseases affecting the heart and lungs and arteries leading to them. The vascular procedures the cardiothoracic surgeons at Christ Hospital perform include carotid artery disease treatment for stroke prevention. Cardiothoracic procedures are performed in the operating room and use general anesthesia.
Interventional Cardiologists
Interventional cardiology is a branch of the medical specialty of cardiology that deals specifically with the catheter-based treatment of heart diseases. Interventional cardiologists may perform treatments for peripheral vascular disease, carotid artery disease and abdominal aortic aneurysms in the cardiac catheterization lab. This is considered a type of endovascular procedure. See endovascular treatment below.
Interventional Radiologists
Interventional radiology is the practice of medicine in which physicians treat disease with image-guided, minimally invasive techniques. These procedures are usually performed under local anesthesia and conscious sedation using some form of guided imaging in the cardiac catheterization lab. They are also considered endovascular procedures.
Vascular Surgeons
Vascular surgery is a specialty of surgery that treats diseases of the vascular system by medical therapy, minimally-invasive catheter procedures and surgical reconstruction. Vascular procedures are performed in the operating room and use general anesthesia. They may be minimally-invasive, using a smaller incision, or may be an open surgery with a larger incision.
What is an endovascular procedure?
Endovascular procedures are less invasive procedures than regular surgery and are designed to access many regions of the body via major blood vessels. Basic techniques involve the introduction of a catheter percutaneously (through the skin), into a large blood vessel. Typically the blood vessel entered is femoral artery or vein found near the groin. A balloon, stent (mesh tube) or coil may be inserted through the catheter to maintain the shape of an artery that was previously losing shape or blocked. Additionally, new devices are being used that may grind through blockages in the arteries, restoring blood flow. These procedures are usually performed by an interventional cardiologist or radiologist in the cardiac catheterization lab. Good candidates for endovascular procedures may be older and have multiple health concerns.
What is an open or minimally invasive vascular surgical procedure?
In contrast, vascular surgery may be performed as a minimally invasive surgery or an open surgery. The type of surgery is decided by the physician, a cardiothoracic or vascular surgeon, and the patient to meet the patient’s individual needs. Candidates are often younger and therefore better able to recuperate from surgery.
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