Surgery treatment of diseases of the aorta and peripheral arteries

Please note!

Hospitalization and surgery at the «Oxford Medical» Clinic requires mandatory PCR testing for coronavirus.

Arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the organs, as opposed to the veins, where the blood moves in the direction of the heart. The aorta, the largest artery in the human body, splits approximately at the level of the lower back and passes into the iliac arteries, and they in turn are divided into external and internal. If arteries patency is disrupted, the blood supply to the tissues decreases and gradually leads to serious health problems.

CAUSES AND SIGNS OF ARTERIAL DISEASES

Symptoms of the disease depend on the location of the affected arteries:

• pain or tingling in the limbs;
• cramps, feeling of heaviness, discomfort in the legs;
• numbness in the limbs;
• spots, wounds, or ulcers on the skin;
• violation of hair growth on the shins or their gradual loss
• dry, cracked skin.

At first, the symptoms of arterial diseases often worsen after physical exercise and go away after rest. In the later stages, the symptoms are pronounced even at rest, indicating that the tissues do not receive enough blood even when the patient is having rest.

Arterial pathologies can be caused by:

• obesity;
• diabetes;
• hereditary atherosclerosis;
• smoking;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• cardiac conditions;
• consumption of low-quality food.

DIAGNOSIS OF AORTIC AND PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASES

The choice of diagnostic method depends on the location of the disease. The following studies are usually prescribed:

• CT, angiography;
• x-ray control;
• ultrasound (doppler imaging, echocardiography).

Doppler imaging is used to measure blood flow and confirm the diagnosis of occlusive disease of the peripheral arteries. This procedure can accurately detect a narrowing or blockage of a blood vessel.

Doppler echography for measuring blood flow can also be performed during a physical exercise test, because some disorders show up only during exercise.

Doctors usually prescribe a general blood test, test for blood clotting indicators and determining the level of biomarkers in early stages with the manifestation of first symptoms. All these tests will also help to make a correct diagnosis.

ARTERIAL DISEASES SURGERY

Timely identified artery diseases are treatable. If conservative methods of treatment are not effective, the patient is assigned to surgery.

Thrombendarterectomy is performed for thrombosis of the aorta or other arteries.

Revascularization with the help of synthetic or natural (often another vein) materials is performed to bypass the occluded segments. Performed in a timely manner, this operation prevents amputation of the limb and relieves the symptoms of the disease.

Sympathectomy is performed when serious cardiovascular surgery is contraindicated.

Amputation is an extreme measure, prescribed for severe infections, intractable pain or progressive gangrene, when other treatments are not effective.

To make an appointment with a surgeon at the «Oxford Medical» Clinic, call us or fill in the form on the website.