By Jonas Wilson, Ing. Med. Vascular Surgery The surgical branch dealing with disorders of the circulatory system, which includes arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels, is called vascular surgery. These specialists treat varying conditions, such as aneurysms and atherosclerosis. These are abnormal dilations in vessel walls and narrowing/ hardening of the arteries, respectively. Vascular surgeons are focused on fixing vessels in nearly all parts of the body with the exception of the brain and heart. They also deal with peripheral vascular disorders like ulcers on the lower extremities and poor circulation. Surgical approaches to vascular repair may be endovascular (i.e. closed) or open surgery. Endovascular surgery Procedures that fall …show more content…
This allows for the vessel to remain open. Angioplasty is done for conditions, such as atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease, narrowing of the kidney arteries, coronary artery disease and carotid artery stenosis, among others. Major complications associated with angioplasty are fairly rare. However, risks include infection, stroke, and heavy bleeding. If contrast material is used to conduct the procedure, then there is a risk for this to affect renal …show more content…
Vena cava filters are small mechanical devices that are positioned in the vena cava with the sole purpose of preventing large blood clots from travelling from the legs to the pulmonary arteries. Clots reaching the arteries of the lungs may cause pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening condition. Aneurysms of the aorta as well as dissections may be treated with the use of endoluminal stent grafts. This requires the placement of a reinforcing tube within the affected parts of the