Some cases of Vascular Surgery One must Know

June 30, 2022

what is vascular surgery?

Vascular surgery is a super-specialty procedure used to treat a wide range of heart and blood flow issues in the large and small vessels of the vascular and lymphatic system. These procedures are performed using minimally invasive techniques to treat vascular diseases. These are not precisely heart or brain procedures.

What is vascular disease?

Vascular disease is a condition of the blood vessels, including arteries, veins and tiny blood capillaries that supply nutrients and oxygen needed by the tissues and organs of the body. It also returns the blood to the lungs to replace carbon dioxide with oxygen. Damage to these blood vessels prohibits the normal flow of blood, which can cause complications varying from minor spider veins or varicose veins to severe internal bleeding or even strokes. Usually, patients with vascular diseases like atherosclerosis might not experience any symptoms until the condition has advanced too much. It is accompanied by intermittent pain like muscle cramps or fatigue.

Vascular diseases can also affect the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is made by the small vessels through which the fluid called lymph carries waste from the blood to the liver and kidneys for filtration. It helps prevent infection and regulate body fluids. Irregularities in the working of the lymphatic system can result in problems like cancer, blockages, and lymphedema (accumulation of fluid within the tissues).

Who is at risk?

Vascular diseases get more common with age. Factors that increase the chances of developing vascular problems include the following:

Family history
Injury
Pregnancy
Prolonged periods of inactivity
Smoking
Obesity
Hypertension
Diabetes

Why is vascular surgery performed?

Vascular surgery is performed to treat these conditions:

Carotid Artery Disease: Vascular surgery is performed to prevent a stroke and treat the affected carotid artery. The plaque build-up inside the carotid arteries restricts the flow of blood to the head and neck area, which may cause a stroke.
Aneurysms: These can occur in various parts of the body, but most commonly, they occur in the brain, legs, and spleen. When the wall of an artery weakens, the blood vessel(s) dilate and form an abnormally large bulb, which can rupture spontaneously and result in death.
Critical Limb Ischemia: Severe blockage of the arteries can lead to reduced blood flow and even no blood flow at all. If not treated on time, it might lead to amputation of the limb.
Venous Insufficiency: This condition arises when veins are not able to send the blood back to the heart and lungs due to their broken valves. It can lead to problems such as listed below:

(1) Varicose veins: In this condition, veins get twisted and swollen and are visible just under the skin, usually on the legs.

(2) Venous ulcers: These open sores or wounds typically occur on the legs, above the ankles.

Lymphoedema: It is the swelling caused by the blockage of lymphatic vessels, leading to the accumulation of fluid in the body tissues.
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD): It is a circulation disorder caused by the blockage in a blood vessel. A bypass graft is formed and replaced with the blocked artery, or a synthetic tube is used to reroute the blood flow.
Renal Vascular Disease: This disease may lead to high blood pressure and kidney damage which can cause kidney failure. It is because this condition impacts the blood flow in and out of the kidneys.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): In deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot is formed in the deep veins of the body, usually in the legs. DVT is considered a serious and dangerous condition because the clot or embolus can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism).

Vascular surgery and its types:

There are two major surgical options for the treatment of vascular diseases:

Open Surgery (traditional): In this procedure, a long incision is made which gives direct access and a better view to treat the problem.
Endovascular Surgery (minimally invasive): This procedure involves the insertion of a catheter while making minimum invasion through the skin.

Angioplasty and Stenting: It is a procedure that requires minimal invasion. In this, a device, like a balloon or a stent, opens a blocked or narrowed artery to restore the blood flow. This procedure is used to treat the narrowing of the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the brain. This narrowing is caused due to artery disease.

Stenting: A stent is a tiny device implanted in the blocked artery, which opens up and holds the artery from collapsing or blocking again. It is used to treat peripheral artery disease in which the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood to the arms and legs get narrowed.

Atherectomy: Atherectomy is another procedure that requires minimal invasion. In this procedure, a specific catheter is introduced into the clogged artery to eliminate plaque from inside it. This technique is used to treat peripheral artery disease.
Arteriovenous (AV) Fistula: In this procedure, a vein from the forearm is directly linked to an artery. It makes the vein tougher and broader to be easily retrieved during a need for dialysis.
Arteriovenous (AV) Graft: Like AV fistula, in this procedure, a direct link is created between an artery and a vein but with the help of a synthetic tube (called the graft).
Open Abdominal Surgery: It involves making a small incision to restore the blockage or aneurysm of the aorta. In many cases, a graft is sutured into the aorta to send blood flow around the tricky area.
Thrombectomy: In this procedure, a blood clot is removed from a vein or artery. It restores proper blood flow and prevents serious complications, like when a blood clot travels to the lungs causing pulmonary embolism or the brain causing a stroke.
Vascular Bypass Surgery: This procedure creates an alternate channel for blood flow by grafting to bypass a damaged blood vessel. It can treat various disorders like Vertebrobasilar disease, Peripheral artery disease, Renal vascular disease, and Mesenteric vascular disease.
Open Carotid and Femoral Endarterectomy: It involves the elimination of plaque from the inner side of the arteries transporting blood to the brain or limbs with the help of surgery. The surgery is performed to remove severe blockages.

Conclusion

Vascular diseases may need professional medical intervention more often. At Apollo Spectra Hospitals, we use top-class technology for treatment and house expert vascular doctors. Apollo Spectra Hospitals are amongst the best vascular surgery hospitals in India.

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Call 18605002244

Why is vascular surgery needed?

Vascular surgery is needed when the vascular disease has progressed. It is done in serious conditions like heart attack and stroke. Vascular surgery improves the quality of life, relieves pain, and enhances blood flow.

What are the risks involved with vascular surgery?

The risk of infection is always high whenever an incision is made. Risk is higher in those vascular surgeries where major blood vessels or organs are involved. Occasional bleeding, blocked grafts, heart attack, and leg or body swelling are the major risks involved with vascular surgery.

What needs to be done before and after a vascular surgery?

A surgeon initially assesses the patient's condition, including their medical history, physical examination, and various diagnostic tests. The surgeon also evaluates the associated risk factors and analyses whether a vascular surgery is required. Aftercare of the surgery depends on the type of surgery and complications involved. Complete bed rest and hospitalisation might be needed for a minimum duration of 24 hours.