Vascular Surgery
Are you over the age of 70? Are you over 50 with a history of smoking or diabetes? Are you under 50 with a history of diabetes and other vascular disease risk factors, including obesity, hypertension and heart disease?
If so, you could be at risk for vascular disease, a condition that affects one in 20 Americans over the age of 50, according to the National Institutes of Health. Oftentimes, individuals with vascular disease/peripheral artery disease (PAD) do not experience symptoms, which is just one reason why regular wellness exams and screenings are so important.
The vascular surgeons with MountainView Medical Group Heart and Vascular Center – Vascular Surgery offer a range of diagnostic and treatment services for PAD and conditions of the body’s vascular (blood vessel) and lymphatic systems, such as:
- Abdominal aortic & Iliac artery aneurysm repair (open and endovascular techniques)
- Abdominal aortic & iliac artery stenosis
- Access graft angiography and intervention
- Carotid stents
- Lower and upper extremity revascularization
- Lower extremity angiogram and intervention
- Surgical dialysis access
- Surgical treatment of carotid artery disease
- Upper extremity angiogram and intervention
- Visceral artery angiogram and intervention
- Vascular trauma
Conditions Treated
Vascular specialists may provide treatment for the following conditions, including but not limited to:
- Aortic aneurysm: An aneurysm is a bulge in the artery. An aortic aneurysm is a bulge that occurs in the body’s biggest blood vessel, the aorta, which transports blood from the heart to the rest of the body. This condition is also known as abdominal aortic aneurysm or AAA. AAAs can be life-threatening if they rupture, which is why many vascular surgeons recommend quick treatment. This condition primarily affects older males and smokers.
- Aortic dissection: This is a medical emergency that occurs when the inner layer of the aorta tears. Such an event can cause severe and sudden pain in the chest or upper back, shortness of breath and loss of consciousness. This event is most common in older males.
- Carotid artery disease for stroke prevention: Patients with high cholesterol may experience plaque build-up within the carotid arteries (major blood vessels in the neck that carry blood from the heart to the brain). Other risk factors for carotid artery disease (CAD) include smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes. Vascular specialists may be able to maximize blood flow to the brain through surgical and/or medical techniques. This can help reduce the risk of stroke.