Vascular Surgery

At Northern Heart Hospital, our vascular surgeons specialise in treating a wide array of conditions related to vascular disease, which becomes increasingly prevalent with age. Individuals with a family history of vascular or heart disease, pregnant women, and those with cardiac-related conditions such as high cholesterol or hypertension are at heightened risk. Moreover, an unhealthy lifestyle characterised by smoking, obesity, sedentary behaviour, or prolonged periods of standing or sitting can exacerbate vascular issues.

Our vascular surgeons are extensively trained to diagnose and manage various conditions affecting the blood vessels. There are various reasons why someone might need to consult a vascular surgeon:

• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Individuals with PAD may experience leg pain or cramping during physical activity. A vascular surgeon can assess the severity of the condition and offer treatment options like angioplasty or bypass surgery to enhance blood flow to the legs.
• Carotid Artery Disease: Blockages in the carotid arteries heighten the risk of stroke. Vascular surgeons specialise in diagnosing and managing carotid artery disease, utilising procedures such as carotid endarterectomy or stenting.
• Varicose Veins: Enlarged and twisted veins causing discomfort and swelling can be treated by vascular surgeons. Treatment options like endovenous laser treatment or sclerotherapy are available to alleviate symptoms and improve appearance.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): DVT, a blood clot in a deep vein (often in the leg), requires diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications like pulmonary embolism. Vascular surgeons offer treatments such as thrombectomy or placement of filters.
• Vascular Trauma: Trauma to blood vessels can lead to severe complications. Vascular surgeons provide emergency care for vascular trauma, including repair of ruptured arteries.
• Chronic Venous Insufficiency: This condition, marked by leg swelling, pain, and skin changes, necessitates intervention to improve symptoms. Vascular surgeons may recommend compression therapy or vein surgery.

If experiencing symptoms like pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, or unhealed wounds, seeking evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment from a vascular surgeon is crucial. Left untreated, these conditions can lead to severe complications such as heart attacks, strokes, or limb loss.

Conditions such as aortic aneurysms, blood clots, carotid artery disease, chronic venous insufficiency, DVT, Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD), May-Thurner syndrome, mesenteric artery ischemia, PAD, Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome (PAES), renal artery stenosis, thoracic outlet syndrome, varicose veins, and visceral and peripheral arterial aneurysms are among those evaluated and treated by our vascular surgeons.

Following a thorough evaluation of each patient’s unique situation, our vascular surgeons recommend the most appropriate treatment plan, which may include surgery, procedures, medications, or a combination thereof, tailored to optimise outcomes and improve overall vascular health.

At Northern Heart Hospital, our team of highly skilled vascular surgeons specialises in a diverse range of surgical interventions tailored to address a myriad of vascular conditions. Among the procedures routinely performed are:

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm (TAAA)

• Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR)
• Thoracic Andovascular Aneurysm Repair (TEVAR)
• Branched EVAR and TEVAR
• Fenestrated EVRA and TEVAR
• Illiac Branch EVAR
• Open Aneurysm repair
• Mycotic Aneurysm Open Repair

Peripheral Interventions (PI)

• Leg Angioplasty/Stent/Atherectomy
• Leg Open Bypass Procedure
• Leg Artery Thrombolysis
• Leg Artery Embolectomy
• Leg Artery Endarterectomy Procedure
• Popliteal Artery Aneurysm Repair
• Aortobifemoral bypass
• Axillobifemoral bypass
• Aortoiliac Stent
• Percutaneous Deep Vein Arterialization

Vein

• Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation
• Endovenous Laser Therapy
• Endovenous Venaseal Ablation
• High Tie and Strip Vein
• Deep Vein Stenting
• Thrombolysis for Deep Vein
• Thrombosis
• IVC Filter Insertion and removal

Dialysis Access

• AVF-Arteriovenous Fistulas Creation
• AVG-Arteriovenous Graft Creation
• AVF Angioplasty
• AVF Thrombolysis
• AVF Thrombectomy
• AVG Angioplasty
• AVG Thrombolysis
• AVG Thrombectomy
• HeRO Graft Insertion
• AVF Excision
• AVG Excision
• AVF Aneurysm excision
• AVF Revision

Carotid

• Carotid Endarterectomy
• Carotid Angiogram & Stenting

Others

• Visceral Artery (SMA, Coelic and Renal artery)
• Angiogram/Angioplasty/Bypass
• Visceral Artery Aneurysm Repair/Stenting/Coiling
• First Rib Resection
• SMA Thrombolysis/Embolectomy
• Renal Vein Stenting

During vascular surgery at Northern Heart Hospital, the specific procedures undertaken are tailored to address your unique condition. Your surgeon will provide detailed information regarding what to expect during your surgery. To begin with, it’s essential to understand whether your surgery will involve an open or minimally invasive approach, each with distinct methods of accessing the blood vessels:

Open Surgery:
In this approach, your surgeon makes a long incision to directly access the blood vessel requiring treatment. This allows for a clear view of the problem area and direct intervention. The incision is carefully made to provide optimal access for the surgical procedure.

Endovascular Surgery:
This technique is minimally invasive, involving smaller incisions or skin punctures instead of a long incision. Your surgeon inserts a catheter (a thin tube) through a small opening and guides it to the site requiring treatment. This approach typically results in easier recovery compared to open surgery. The catheter may deliver medications or tiny instruments directly to the affected blood vessel, providing targeted treatment.

Discussing the type of surgery needed and the rationale behind it with your surgeon is crucial. They will explain the specific approach chosen for your case and address any questions or concerns you may have. This open dialogue ensures that you are well-informed and prepared for your vascular surgery at Northern Heart Hospital.