Vascular surgery involves either an artery or a vein. When the surgery is done from within the blood vessel, it is called endovascular surgery.
Endovascular surgery is a relatively new, less-invasive procedure for treating the two major problems that can develop in blood vessels: an aneurysm and a narrowing (also called an occlusion or stenosis).
An aneurysm is a weakness in a major blood vessel that causes a portion of the vessel wall to balloon out. For years, the problem was repaired by exposing the vessel through an incision and replacing the weakened portion of the vessel with a synthetic graft sewn into healthy ends of the vessel. This type of surgery required general anesthesia.
Narrowing, or occlusion, is another condition that can occur inside an artery or a vein. In the past, when narrowing occurred in the carotid arteries (the arteries that supply blood to the brain), an incision was made in the neck to place a synthetic graft, which also required general anesthesia.
Endovascular surgery, on the other hand, uses an easily accessible smaller artery to reach the problem and does not require general anesthesia. During most endovascular procedures, a long plastic tube called a catheter is placed into the femoral artery in the groin. Using X-ray imaging, a physician then gradually moves the catheter to the aneurysm or narrowing.
To repair an aneurysm, a hollow, manufactured tube (a graft with metal attachments) is pushed through the catheter to the aneurysm and anchored in place.
To open a narrowing, an angioplasty with stenting is done. An angioplasty is a procedure in which a balloon is inserted and advanced to the narrowing. The balloon is then inflated, and a stent (a small, mesh-like stainless steel tube) is moved to the narrowing. The balloon is then deflated and removed, and the stent expands and presses against the inner walls of the artery, keeping it open.
Advantages of endovascular surgery include:
- Less discomfort
- Local or regional anesthesia instead of general anesthesia
- Reduced need for blood tranfusions
- Less invasive, making it safer
- Smaller incision
- Less stress on the heart
- Fewer risks for patients with other diseases, such as coronary artery disease, kidney or lung problems
- Shorter recovery time
Epworth HealthCare utilizes the services of some of the most modern equipment in Australia in our various Endo-Vascular suites, working with some of the finest doctors and specialists in Melbourne.
For further information please click through to Epworth Richmond or Epworth Eastern.