Endovascular Surgery is the minimal invasive form of vascular Surgery. It opens blocked arteries using catheters introduced in the body through a small puncture hole, reaching all areas of the vascular tree.
What type of Vascular Surgery is Endovascular?
Endovascular surgery can be described as the treatment of vascular disease from inside the blood vessel (endoluminal).
It has become the standard surgical approach to vascular disease. Most of the time it is as effective, if not, more effective, than standard open surgery.
Different types of Catheters are used, depending on the type of blockage and location. (Balloons, Stents, Atherectomy catheters, etc.) See examples below.
Advantages of Endovascular, opposed to open Vascular Surgery are:
- No pain vs significant post-op pain
- Small hole vs long traumatic incisions
- Local anesthesia vs General Anesthesia
- Outpatient (same day) procedure vs few days in patient surgery
- Minimal blood loss vs significant blood loss
- Much less infection rate vs higher infection rate
- Minimal wound complications vs significant wound complication
- Return to normal life immediately vs few weeks recovery period
- Endovascular usually (but not always) has a lower risk than conventional surgical approaches
When do you need Vascular Procedures for PAD?
You should consider the procedure Atherectomy, and / or Balloon Angioplasty (possibly with stent) if:
- Your symptoms are severe enough to limit your lifestyle or your ability to work.
- Simpler treatments, such as exercise and medicine, have not helped.
You have to have the procedure Atherectomy, and / or Balloon Angioplasty possibly with stent procedure urgently, if you have any of these signs:
- Foot pain while you’re resting, especially at night.
- Sores on your toes or feet that do not heal.
- A toe that looks blue or black and may hurt.
When should you see a Vascular Surgeon (Endovascular Doctor, Vascular Doctor)?
- If you feel pain in your legs or feet
- If any cut or sore on your foot does not heal fast
