Vascular Conditions And Interventions

The Vascular Specialists at Aurora BayCare are recognized leaders in vascular health. As leading experts in our field, we offer complete care for your vascular condition. Vascular services include diagnostic testing, minimally-invasive endovascular procedures such as stenting and angioplasty, open surgical treatments, and monitoring of vascular diseases.

Learn more about our services:

Endovascular Surgery (Minimally Invasive)

Minimally invasive vascular surgery provides an alternative to traditional, open surgery. It is also referred to as endovascular surgery. With this approach, we can repair aneurysms and place stents in narrowed arteries.

With minimally invasive procedures, we can treat your vascular problem using a very small incision, or no incision at all. We do this using catheters and tiny implantable devices such as stents or stent grafts.

At Aurora BayCare, we place a priority on using minimally invasive procedures whenever possible. Our physicians have extensive experience in performing these leading-edge procedures to treat vascular disease.

Vascular Testing

Aurora BayCare’s vascular laboratory holds accreditation in Vascular Ultrasound by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

Vascular testing is useful in early detection of vascular diseases. The use of ultrasound is also helpful in monitoring disease progression. Accreditation by the ACR means that Aurora BayCare Medical Center Vascular Laboratory is providing the highest quality care that meets or exceeds national standards.

Aurora BayCare is equipped with state-of-the-art imaging suites in both the operating room and interventional radiology. A hybrid operating room allows us to perform both open procedures and endovascular approaches in one location.

We have the latest technology using the lowest radiation dose possible to provide high-resolution images. We provide the most progressive diagnostic testing available in the region. Specialty diagnostic services include the use of conventional iodinated contrast and carbon dioxide angiography for patients with kidney disease.

Carotid Angioplasty and Endarterectomy

Your carotid arteries are the two large blood vessels in your neck that supply your brain with blood. If you have carotid artery disease, it means these arteries have become narrowed or blocked.

Carotid artery disease is one of the primary causes of a stroke, blocking critical blood flow to your brain. Our vascular specialists are experts in identifying and treating carotid artery disease.

If the blockage is severe, your doctor may recommend surgery. The surgical approach for this is called carotid endarterectomy, in which the surgeon opens the affected artery and removes the plaque. We also perform carotid angioplasty, in which a balloon and stent are used to widen the artery.

Endarterectomy

An endarterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove fatty deposits in a narrowed or blocked artery. Endarterectomies are performed in the major arteries that supply blood flow to the brain (carotid arteries) and in major arteries supplying blood to the legs (femoral arteries).

Depending on the location of your blockage, an endarterectomy is used to prevent stroke or to preserve mobility and reduce pain. In this procedure, the surgeon makes an incision to expose the affected artery. The surgeon removes the fatty plaque and then sews the artery back together. Learn more about plaque buildup and carotid artery disease.

Lower Extremity Bypass (Revascularization)

If you have peripheral artery disease, you may need treatment to improve blood flow in your legs. Our first approach is usually minimally invasive treatments like angioplasty or stenting. But if you’re not a good candidate (or these approaches have already been tried), lower extremity bypass surgery is a proven, highly effective alternative.

In this procedure, your surgeon creates an alternate path for blood flow around the blocked area. There are several options available for these bypasses including your own veins, processed veins and other synthetic options. Your surgeon will determine which option is best fit for you. You may stay in the hospital for a few days after surgery.

Dialysis Access

If you have kidney failure, you need a way to replace your lost kidney function. Dialysis does what your kidneys normally do: filter your blood of toxins and excess fluid.

We perform surgical procedures that create access for both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. It’s through this access site that that you are able to be connected to a dialysis machine. Your blood is filtered through the dialysis machine and then returned to your body through a different access point.

Peritoneal dialysis is another kind of dialysis. It can be performed in the comfort of your own home. To provide an access point, we insert a catheter into your abdomen. Your surgeon will evaluate you to determine if you are a candidate for this type of dialysis.

Vein Disease

Vein disease will affect an estimated 80 million Americans, roughly 25% of the U.S. population. Vein diseases include varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, venous leg ulcers, bleeding, deep vein thrombosis, and thrombophlebitis.

Small vein disease such as spider veins or certain varicose veins may be unsightly or bleed. These can be treated with a simple procedure called sclerotherapy. Patients with signs of vein disease should be screened to ensure their condition doesn’t progress to a more dangerous, life-threatening form of the disease. While compression stockings can be helpful, minimally invasive treatments like endovenous ablation and microphlebectomy can correct venous insufficiency, with good long-term results.

EVAR for Aneurysms

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a bulge or weak spot in the aorta. The aorta is the major blood vessel that supplies blood to the body.

If your doctor is not worried that your aneurysm will rupture, we can monitor its growth and use medication in an attempt to lower pressure in the area. However, if the aneurysm is large, we may recommend surgical or endovascular repair.

An aortic aneurysm may be repaired with open surgery or a minimally invasive procedure called an endovascular aneurysm repair or EVAR. EVAR involves placing an expandable stent graft in the aorta. The stent graft is positioned to take pressure off the aneurysm wall and prevent it from rupturing.

Today, EVAR is considered the gold standard approach for treating aortic aneurysms. Compared to open AAA repair, this minimally invasive approach reduces recovery time and post-surgical complications.

EVAR may also be used to treat other aneurysms, including those in the renal, mesenteric, iliac, femoral, and popliteal arteries to name a few.

Open Abdominal Aneurysm Repair

Sometimes people with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) are not good candidates for minimally invasive surgery. In those situations, open abdominal aneurysm repair remains a proven, effective treatment option.

AAA repairs are done to prevent the risk of rupture, relieve symptoms, and restore healthy blood flow. AAA repairs are generally not recommended for small aneurysms or those at low risk for causing problems.

Thrombolytic Therapy

Thrombolytic therapy, also called thrombolysis, involves the use of clot dissolving medications to break up or dissolve blood clots. Some blood clots can cause serious disability or life-threatening consequences if they are not removed.

Freedom from Vascular Disease

The Vascular Specialists at Aurora BayCare are committed to providing compassionate, personalized and innovative care to people with vascular disease. Our vascular proceduralists and surgeons collaborate to offer comprehensive program that treats some of the most complicated vascular conditions. Our hope is to provide our patients with freedom from vascular disease.