Vascular Surgery
Vascular surgery is the field of medicine pertaining to conditions of the circulatory system outside of the heart and the way that oxygen-rich blood is pumped around the body, including the arteries and veins (blood vessels). The body needs this oxygen to function properly, and when blood vessels or their valves are blocked, weakened or damaged, vascular disease may result.
Vascular disease can occur at any age, affecting men and women equally, but is more common among older patients. Lifestyle conditions, including smoking, diet, sedentary lifestyle and stress, as well as hereditary conditions, diabetes and hypertension are just a few of the risk factors that can lead to vascular disease.
Our vascular surgeons diagnose, treat and help patients manage a wide range of peripheral vascular conditions and venous diseases, utilizing both non-invasive as well as traditional surgical methods.
Common Vascular Diseases We Treat:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysms
- Aneurysms
- Atherosclerosis
- Blood clots
- Carotid artery disease
- Leg and foot ulcers
- Mesenteric Artery Disease / Mesenteric Insufficiency
- Occlusion
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Renal artery disease
- Strokes
- Venous diseases
Aneurysms
An aneurysm is when an artery wall weakens, causing it to abnormally widen and bulge. An aneurysm can form in any blood vessel but occurs most often in the aorta. The aorta is the largest of arteries, and it carries blood from the heart to the circulatory system.
One of the most common types of aneurysms is an abdominal aortic aneurysm. In fact, more than 200,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed each year with an abdominal aortic aneurysm.* Abdominal aortic aneurysms occur in the part of the aorta that’s in the abdomen (belly area).
If left untreated, the aneurysm will grow and increases a person’s risk for atherosclerotic plaque, a clot (thrombus), or even rupture. So, it’s important to seek the help of a vascular specialist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Carotid Arteries
Carotid arteries are located on each side of the neck and are essential to carrying blood supply to the front of the brain. Over time, these arteries may become blocked from a buildup of plaque. High blood pressure, diabetes, tobacco use and high blood pressure are common causes of this plaque buildup in the carotid arteries.
When the carotid arteries are blocked, it can affect brain function and may even lead to stroke. Symptoms for carotid arteries include slurred speech, weakness of arm and/or leg and blindness in one eye. Often there are no advanced warning signs. A diagnosis can typically be made through ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries or an angiogram.
One surgical procedure our vascular surgeons offer is carotid artery stenting to treat carotid artery stenosis (a narrowing of the blood vessels). With this procedure, a stent (a thin flexible tube) is surgically inserted into the artery to remove plague and open it up. For patients with more severe blockage, a surgical procedure to open the artery may be necessary.
A diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis is made with an ultrasound. Sometimes CT or MRI testing may also be necessary. Your vascular specialist will work with you to discuss your options and the best course of treatment for your diagnosis.
Leg & Foot Ulcers
Our vascular specialists also treat leg and foot ulcers. Leg and foot ulcers are wounds, or open sores, that do not heal properly and often reoccur. The ulcers are commonly caused by poor circulation in the lower extremities (veins or arteries not working properly), varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency or sustained venous hypertension.
Common side effects of leg and foot ulcers include swelling, burning or itching, and/or skin discoloration. Since they do not always cause pain, some people may overlook leg and foot ulcers as a concern. However, to prevent infection and the wound from spreading, proper treatment is necessary.
Common conservative treatments for leg and foot ulcers include elevating the leg to relieve swelling and wearing compression bandages or stockings to lessen the pressure of veins around the ankle. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to increase blood flow to the lower extremities.
Patients with diabetes can often be prone to foot ulcers. If you suffer from foot or leg ulcers that are chronic and do not heal properly, it may be time to consult with one of our vascular specialists.
How to Diagnose Vascular Disease
Symptoms for vascular disease are varied and are dependent on the severity of the condition as well as where in the body the condition is present.
If you have been referred to a vascular doctor, our highly trained specialists are here to help. We’ll begin with a consultation, physical examination and discuss your symptoms. Then diagnostic tests may be necessary for a complete diagnosis. We provide a wide range of advanced diagnostic and screening techniques such as vascular ultrasound, non-invasive flow studies, blood tests, CT scans and angiographies.
Your vascular physician will help you understand your diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for your specific needs.
Treatment for Vascular Disease
Conservative methods, including lifestyle changes and medication, may be used to help treat vascular disease as well as manage symptoms.
For some patients, surgery may be necessary to treat the disease as well as manage complications. Our vascular surgeons can perform a variety of surgical procedures, including less invasive endovascular procedures as well as complex vascular treatments, including endovascular repair, carotid artery surgery for stroke prevention, arterial bypass, angioplasty and stenting for peripheral vascular disease. Your surgeon will discuss with you the best treatment for your individual needs.
Our vascular surgeons are committed to the highest quality and most comprehensive care for patients suffering from vascular disease. Vascular surgeons are the only specialty that can provide the entire spectrum of vascular care including balloon angioplasty, stents, removal of plaque directly and open bypass on any artery or vein. In addition, as surgeons, they are experts in managing complications that may occasionally occur, including managing complications that are created by other specialists, such as clotting or bleeding vessels.
For questions or to schedule an appointment with one of our vascular physicians, please call 316-858-5000, or toll-free 866-858-5001.
*Source: Society for Vascular Surgery.
Our Physicians
-
Steven A. Hutchinson, MD, FACS
- Restoration of Leg Circulation
- Carotid Surgery & Stenting
- Endovascular Aneurysm Repair
- Limb Salvage
- Endovascular Stents / Stent Grafts
- Renal Artery Stenosis
-
Jason D. Woolard, MD, FACS
- Carotid Surgery & Stenting
- Aneurysms & Endovascular Stent Grafts
- Limb Salvage
- Endovascular Stents
- Renal Artery Stenosis
- Dialysis Access
- Venous Disorders
- Endovenous Laser Ablation for Varicose Veins
- Surgery for Varicose Veins
- Vascular Medicine
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
-
Chad P. Ammar, MD, FACS
- Vascular Surgery
- Carotid Surgery & Stenting
- Abdominal & Thoracic Aneurysms
- Endovascular Aortic Stent Grafts
- Limb Salvage
- Balloon Angioplasty & Stenting
- Dialysis Access
-
Amin Ahmed, MD
- Vascular Surgery
- Peripheral Arterial Disease
- Limb Preservation
- Dialysis Access
- Thoracic & Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
- Carotid Artery Disease
- Renal & Mesenteric Arterial Disease
- DVT & Venous Disease