Artery Treatments Overview
Arteriograms
An arteriogram is an x-ray image of the blood vessels that helps to evaluate various vascular conditions, such as an aneurysm, which is ballooning of a blood vessel, stenosis, the narrowing of a blood vessel, or blockages.
Contrast dye is injected into the body's circulatory system. This contrast dye causes the blood vessels to appear opaque on the x-ray image. This allows the physician to better visualize the structure of the vessel(s) under examination.
Many arteries of the blood can be examined by an arteriogram, including: aorta of the legs, kidneys, brain, and heart.
Angioplasty and Stenting
During an angioplasty, a small balloon is inflated inside a narrowed blood vessel. The balloon helps to widen the blood vessel and improve blood flow. After widening the vessel with angioplasty, a stent is sometimes inserted. These are tiny mesh tubes that support artery walls to keep vessels wide open. Angioplasty and stenting are usually done through a small incision or puncture in the skin. A long, thin tube called a catheter is inserted. Using X-ray guidance, the catheter is guided through your blood vessels to the blocked area. The tip of the catheter carries the angioplasty balloon or stent.
Angioplasty most often is used to treat hardening of the arteries supplying blood to your limbs or to organs in your body other than your heart.
Minimally Invasive Endografts
For some patients with abdominal aortic disease and other vascular disease, minimally invasive endovascular techniques may be used. Using advanced radiology and imaging systems, a catheter is inserted through a small incision in your groin or your arm. Next, a tube-shaped, fabric-covered stent is compressed and guided through the catheter up to the damaged portion of the aorta or other blood vessel needing treatment.
Once the graft is in place, it is expanded to fit tightly and seal against the wall of the aorta which creates a new path through which blood can flow. The catheter is removed and the incision site is closed.
Endarterectomy
Endarterectomy is the general term for the surgical removal of plaque from an artery that has become narrowed or blocked. Your arteries are normally smooth and unobstructed on the inside but they can become blocked through a process called atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. As you age, a sticky substance called plaque can build up in the walls of your arteries. As more plaque builds up, your arteries narrow and stiffen. Eventually your blood vessels can no longer supply the oxygen demands of your organs or muscles and symptoms may develop.
To perform an endarterectomy, an incision is made in the affected artery and the plaque contained in the artery's inner lining is removed. This procedure leaves a wide-open artery and restores blood flow. Occasionally, endarterectomy is used in conjunction with other procedures, such as bypass or patching (widening), to open the artery and keep it open.
Physicians use endarterectomy to treat many arteries; Your physician may recommend endarterectomy to treat one or more of the following:
- Carotid artery disease
- Peripheral arterial disease, such as leg or arm artery disease
- Renal (kidney) artery disease
Bypass Grafts
When blood vessels are blocked with plaque surgeons can create a viaduct or bypass around the blocked areas. Through an open incision a real or synthetic new blood vessel is used to go around the blocked are allowing blood to flow.
Only vascular surgeons can offer both angioplasty with stenting and bypass grafts. At Horizon Surgical Group, we are pleased to offer a variety of artery treatments for all types of vascular conditions. For more information about Arteriograms, Angioplasty and Stenting, Endografts, Endarterectomy or Bypass Grafts, contact us.
