Introduction
Vascular Health Group offers a wide range of treatments for vascular conditions.
Endoluminal procedures
Angioplasty
Angioplasty involves widening of a vessel by inflating a tiny balloon via a catheter usually placed in the groin. This treatment is most often used to treat a narrowing or blockage in the aorta, aortic branches and arteries of the lower limb.
Stenting / stent grafting
Stenting / stent grafting involves inserting a small mesh tube (stent graft is covered in graft material) to hold a vessel open via a catheter usually placed in the groin. This treatment is most often used to treat a narrowing or blockage in the aorta, aortic branches and arteries of the lower limb.
Embolisation and Sclerotherapy
Embolisation and Sclerotherapy of vascular malformations involves the use of sclerosants, special glues, coils and tiny particles to close or shrink a vascular abnormality. This technique can be used to treat anomalies of the veins, arteries and lymph vessels. This therapy can also be used to treat Pelvic Congestion Syndrome.
Arteriography and venography
Arteriography and venography are diagnostic procedures used to produce an image of your arteries or veins. The procedure is performed via a small catheter and involves the use of contrast material and X-Ray.
Thrombolytic Therapy
Thrombolytic Therapy involves the administration of clot dissolving drugs via a catheter to dissolve blood clots that have suddenly blocked major arteries or veins.
Open Surgical procedures
Endarterectomy
Endarterectomy is the surgical removal of the inner layer of the artery along with any obstructive plaque deposits. Most commonly it is carried out on the carotid arteries and those of the lower limb. Sometimes a patch may be sewn onto the artery during closure to widen any residual narrowing.
Vascular bypass grafting
Vascular bypass grafting is a surgical procedure in which a diseased artery is bypassed by directing blood flow from an area of normal blood supply, past the blockage to another area of relatively normal blood flow beyond. A tube is used which may be a synthetic graft or the patient’s own vein. It is commonly used to treat blockages in the legs, but can also be used to treat abdominal and thoracic arteries.
Repair by direct suturing
Repair by direct suturing is an open surgical treatment for abnormalities of the artery wall. Examples include aneurysms where the artery wall is enlarged, and dissections where there is a tear of the inner wall of the artery. Direct repair usually involves suturing a graft in place of the affected artery.
