Desert Cardiothoracic Surgeons



	Vascular Surgery

	Carotid Endarterectomy

	Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

	Lower Extremity Bypass Surgery

	Acute and Chronic Venous Disease

Home > Vascular Surgery

Vascular Surgery

Disease of the coronary (heart) arteries has received an extraordinary amount of attention by patients and physicians. The ability of coronary blockages to cause sudden death helps justify this response. This has led many physicians to place vascular problems outside of the heart “on the back burner.” Vascular surgery (a.k.a. peripheral vascular surgery) is the subspecialty that treats patients who have disease of the blood vessels outside of the heart.

We at Desert Cardiothoracic Surgeons have interest and experience in the entire spectrum of peripheral vascular surgery. We commonly perform carotid endarterectomy, open and closed repair of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm, femoral popliteal bypass, and saphenous vein ablation for chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins (see below for description of these operations). Untreated, these problems cause significant suffering for many of our patients. Surgery has proven over time to provide the best long-term relief for many vascular problems. If you feel you might have any of these problems, feel free to call our office for an evaluation.

Carotid Endarterectomy - Blockage from cholesterol buildup in the carotid artery (neck artery that feeds the brain) can result in stroke (paralysis due to loss of brain function). The blockage in this artery can be surgically removed to restore normal blood flow to the brain. This operation reduces the risk of future stroke for patients whose carotid artery is narrowed more than 60%. The operation takes one hour and patients will typically spend one or two nights in the hospital.

Aortic Aneurysm - The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body. It carries blood from the heart to all vital organs. It is a long blood vessel that starts in the chest cavity and runs down to the abdominal cavity. Occasionally, the aorta will bulge and stretch the wall of the blood vessel. Eventually, the wall will become so thin that it ruptures and blood will leak out of the aorta into the chest or abdomen. This condition results in immediate death. Prevention is the only hope.

For years we have used open surgery to replace the aorta with an artificial blood vessel made from Dacron. This operation works quite well to replace either the thoracic (chest) aorta or the abdominal (belly) aorta when either has developed into an aneurysm. This operation does require a large abdominal or thoracic incision that prolongs recovery and adds risk to the operation. In the last several years, new technology has allowed us to repair many aneurysms with a closed technique. Two small incisions in the groin allow access to the arterial tree. We then use this access to replace the aorta internally with a graft that prevents the aneurysm from rupturing. Patients require only two days (instead of the seven days for an open operation) in the hospital and can typically resume work in one week or less. This technique works well for many, but not all aneurysms. It provides a useful technique to help patients avoid the fatal complication of aneurysmal rupture.

Femoral Popliteal Bypass - Hardening of the arteries commonly affects the circulation to the legs resulting in poor blood flow to the thighs, calves, and feet. Patients may notice cramping, numbness, thinning of the skin, blue toes, or ulceration (cuts that will not heal). The disease progresses slowly but persistently. If untreated, gangrene will result and amputation will be required.

Femoral popliteal bypass is an operation that restores normal blood flow to the legs and avoids the complications mentioned above. The surgeon uses an artificial blood vessel to bypass the blocked artery in the leg. Commonly, the bypass will originate in the femoral artery (groin) and end at the popliteal (knee) artery. This operation takes one to two hours and patients will usually stay one to two days in the hospital.

Saphenous vein ablation - Arteries carry blood from the heart to the body’s organs, muscles, and skin. Veins carry the blood back. Problems with veins (usually in the leg) result in swelling and varicose veins. Until recently, patients with vein problems had only one recourse- saphenous vein stripping. This operation removes the saphenous vein (superficial vein on the inside of the thigh) from the leg and reduces swelling. Patients often experience pain and the operation usually requires a night in the hospital.

Technology has now given patients another option, vein ablation. Patients have a 30-minute operation that “burns” the vein internally to obliterate it. This stops the swelling in the leg. Patients go home the same day and may resume full activity in 24 hours.

These are some of the tools that we have to treat patients who suffer from peripheral vascular disease. The surgeons at Desert Cardiothoracic Surgeons would be happy to answer any questions that you may have regarding vascular surgery procedures. Feel free to call us any time at (480) 844-2020.

The content on this website is intended to provide you with a better understanding of coronary artery disease, beating heart bypass surgery and endoscopic vessel harvesting. The procedures described in this website and related links may not be appropriate for all patients. The information on this website and maintain an open dialogue with you and your an informed discussion with a physician, and is not an endorsement or recommendation of any particular physician.