interventional Radiology

Arterial Interventions

Arterial interventions are minimally invasive procedures performed to improve blood flow throughout the body’s arteries in patients with narrowed arteries that develop as a result of peripheral artery disease, renal vascular hypertension, carotid artery disease, and other related conditions. These procedures offer a less invasive alternative to surgery.

Extremity Arterial Occlusive Disease

Extremity arterial occlusive disease involves atherosclerosis, or a hardening and narrowing of the arteries. This condition most often occurs in the lower extremities, and may lead to decreased blood flow to the surrounding muscles and tissues. This condition often exists with other conditions such as carotid artery disease and coronary artery disease. Patients may experience pain in the calves or thighs while walking, pain in the feet at rest, or even skin ulcers.

Aneurysm

An aneurysm occurs when an artery becomes enlarged due to a weakness in the wall, and may lead to rupture. Aneurysms can occur in many areas of the body, but are most common in the aorta, which carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body. As the artery wall continues to weaken, an aneurysm may continue to increase in size until it eventually ruptures, which often leads to extreme hemorrhage and other complications. Some patients with an aneurysm may experience no symptoms at all, while others may experience pain, headache, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms.

How can these conditions be treated?

In order to correct the abnormalities caused by this condition, blood flow must be restored to the legs and the narrowed arteries must be relieved. This can often be done through minimally invasive procedures such as angioplasty and stenting, which improve blood flow to the extremities.

How is angioplasty performed?

Angioplasty uses imaging techniques to guide a balloon catheter into the affected artery and move it to the blocked or narrowed location. The balloon is then inflated to clear the artery and allow blood to easily pass through, before deflating and being slowly removed from the body. Contrast material is injected into the artery during this procedure to help locate the blockage in the artery.

What does angioplasty feel like during and after the procedure?

During the angioplasty procedure, patients may experience slight pressure and discomfort when the catheter is inserted and the balloon is inflated. The contrast material can create a warm sensation throughout the body.

After the procedure, patients will be monitored for bleeding or swelling at the catheter site, and should drink plenty of fluids. Heavy lifting and other strenuous activities should be avoided for the first day after the procedure.

How is vascular stenting performed?

During the angioplasty procedure, your doctor may use a tube called a stent to help the narrowed artery remain open after the catheter has been removed. A stent is a small wire mesh tube that is placed in an opened blood vessel that has just been cleared of a blockage or other abnormality. The stent supports the walls of the artery and helps them remain open after the procedure.

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Venous Interventions

Venous interventions are minimally invasive treatment options for patients with blocked or narrowed veins as a result of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, varicose veins, slowed circulation or other related vein conditions. These conditions may require treatment to either open up or seal off the diseased vein in order to prevent permanent damage and serious complications, while avoiding the need for surgery.

Treatment of Varicose Veins and Spider Veins

Spider and varicose veins are often caused by heredity, pregnancy and hormones, and appear on the skin of the legs as raised, discolored webs that can cause pain and swelling for many patients. These conditions may indicate more serious health problems such as phlebitis, thrombosis or venous stasis ulcers.

There are several minimally invasive procedures available to relieve the painful symptoms and unsightly appearance of spider and varicose veins. Some of these treatments include:

Phlebectomy – This procedure removes varicose veins on the surface of the skin by making tiny incisions to remove the collapsible vein and divert blood flow to healthy veins instead. No sutures are needed for this procedure since the incisions are so small.

Sclerotherapy – Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution into affected veins that causes them to shrink and eventually disappear, while blood flow is diverted to healthier veins instead. Most patients experience successful results from this procedure.

Endovenous Treatment – Endovenous ablation for varicose veins uses radiofrequency or laser energy to heat and burn affected veins, eventually causing them to close. This procedure uses imaging guidance to seal off blood flow to faulty veins, diverting it to healthier veins instead.

Treatment of Venous Thrombosis

Venous thrombosis involves the formation of a blood clot within the large veins of the leg. This serious condition can cause permanent damage to the leg by blocking blood flow back to the heart. Patients with this condition may experience swelling, leg fatigue, leg pain or tenderness and discoloration of the leg. If left untreated, venous thrombosis can lead to post-thrombotic syndrome or a pulmonary embolism.

Treating venous thrombosis can often be done through a minimally invasive procedure called catheter-directed thrombolysis, which is performed with imaging guidance and sedation or general anesthesia. During the procedure, a small incision is made at the site of the blood clot to insert a catheter and feed it into the affected vein. Special clot-dissolving devices or medication will be administered through the catheter.

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