ENDOVASCULAR SURGERY

Vascular surgery involves treatment of veins and arteries. In endovascular surgery, procedures are performed from within the blood vessel itself, as opposed to more invasive open surgery. Minimally invasive endovascular procedures are particularly useful for two major vascular problems: a weakening of the blood vessel, called an aneurysm, and a narrowing or blockage, called a stenosis or occlusion.

Whenever possible, the cardiovascular surgeons at UC Irvine Medical Center use endovascular techniques to treat vascular disease.

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Advantages

Endovascular techniques, where appropriate, offer many advantages, including:

• Smaller incision
• Less discomfort
• Local/regional anesthetics needed, not general anesthesia
• Reduced stress on the heart
• Less need for blood products
• Reduced risks for patients with other diseases
• Faster recovery

Procedures

Our physicians provide individualized treatment plans for patients that maximize safety and efficacy. Treatments and therapies are always case-specific, with significant consideration given to a patient’s condition before opting for surgery. 

Endovascular procedures include, among others:

• Angioplasty (improving blood flow by inserting a balloon-tipped catheter)
• Stenting (inserting a short mesh tube to keep arteries open)
• Endovascular grafting (inserting a mesh tube to reinforce weakened blood vessels)
• Ablation (destruction) of venous tissues to alleviate circulatory problems
• Placement and removal of filters to trap clots and plaque particles
• Thorascopic sympathectomy (destroying nerves to alleviate certain symptoms)
• Transaxillary first rib resection to relieve pressure on nerves

Many conditions can now be treated with endovascular surgery, such as:

• Aneurysms, including abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Carotid artery disease
• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
• Visceral and renal artery disease
• Extracranial cerebrovascular disease
• Venous and lymphatic disorders
• Vascular access disorders
• Vascular injuries from trauma
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Hyperhidrosis

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