Vascular Disease Treatments Constantly Evolving “The most important thing patients can do when it comes to vascular disease is to regularly follow up with their physician. Vascular conditions can deteriorate into serious problems very quickly, but with proper follow up care, they can be caught and treated before larger issues develop.” Waheed Ahmad, MD Board Certified Surgeon Comprehensive Vein Treatment Center of Kentuckiana
Carotid Artery
Thoracic Aorta
Heart
Vascular disease refers to conditions of the blood vessels. The blood vessels are arteries or veins, and can be located anywhere in the body. Vascular surgery is performed to open up diseased arteries or to bypass them with new blood vessels. It is also performed to access arteries or blood vessels for procedures such as dialysis. Waheed Ahmad, MD, a board certified surgeon with over 40 years of vascular surgery experience, explained that there are a wide variety of vascular conditions with many treatment options available. Some of the more common conditions include: Venous Disease is a catch-all term for a collection of conditions associated with the veins. Veins are flexible, hollow tubes with flaps inside called valves that open and shut to keep blood flowing in one direction through the veins. If these valves become damaged as a result of venous disease, they may not close completely, allowing blood to leak backward or flow in both directions. Peripheral Artery Disease, also known as PAD, becomes more common as we age. It is classified by a narrowing of the peripheral arteries, usually of the pelvis and legs, and is caused primarily by a build up of plaque in the walls of the arteries.
Peripheral Arterial Aneurysms affect the arteries in the body other than the aorta. Most peripheral aneurysms occur in the popliteal artery, which runs down the back of the lower thigh and knee. Less commonly, peripheral aneurysms also develop in the femoral artery in the groin, carotid artery in the neck or sometimes the arteries of the arms. Another type of peripheral aneurysm that forms in the arteries feeding the kidneys or the bowel is called a visceral aneurysm. Thoracic & Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm is a condition that occurs when a weakened area of the thoracic or abdominal aorta expands or bulges. The aorta is the largest artery in the circulatory system, carrying blood away from the heart to all parts of the body. The portion of the aorta that runs through the chest cavity is called the thoracic aorta, while the portion running through the abdomen is known as the abdominal aorta. Carotid Artery Disease is a deteriorating of the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. Known as the carotid arteries, these vessels are located on each side of the neck under the jawline. Carotid artery disease is a condition in which these arteries become narrowed or blocked.
Minimally Invasive “Endovascular” Procedures Are on the Rise The care of patients with vascular disease is evolving rapidly, and minimally invasive “endovascular” options are on the rise. Dean Wickel, MD, a board certified vascular surgeon who recently joined Floyd Memorial Medical Group-Vascular Surgery, explained what endovascular procedures entail. “Endovascular means that the treatment is performed inside the blood vessels using long, thin tubes called catheters,” said Dr. Wickel. “The catheters are inserted through the skin into arteries in the groin or arms, and are guided through the blood vessels to the location of the blockage. During the procedure, the surgeon utilizes live X-ray pictures viewed on a video screen to guide their way. These procedures are performed in a catheterization lab rather than an operating room, and have lower complication rates, faster recovery times and less pain than traditional open procedures. While not all vascular surgeries can be performed using endovascular techniques, they are an excellent option for the right patient.” The Importance of Prevention “While vascular disease carries a high genetic component, it also responds well
to proper prevention and management strategies,” said Dr. Ahmad. Below, he shares some helpful tips to keep your vascular health in check: • Don’t smoke or use tobacco. Smoking is probably the most important risk factor for peripheral artery disease (PAD). • Eat a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat to reduce your risk of atherosclerosis. This is the process of plaque buildup in your arteries. The plaque slows or stops blood flow to and from your blood vessels. • Start a walking program to improve circulation to your legs and promote growth of new blood vessels. • Lose weight if you are overweight. For every pound of fat, your heart needs to pump blood through an extra mile’s worth of blood vessels. • Watch your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure (hypertension), you are at an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, heart failure or kidney damage. • If you have diabetes, work to keep your blood glucose in good control. People with diabetes are at greater risk because of the damage that diabetes can do to blood vessels.
“I’m excited to bring minimally invasive endovascular procedures to Southern Indiana patients here at Floyd Memorial. Endovascular techniques allow us to access many regions of the body via major blood vessels, rather than open surgery. They tend to be less painful, with lower risk of complication and quicker recovery than traditional open vascular surgery procedures.” Dean J. Wickel, MD Board Certified Vascular Surgeon Floyd Memorial Medical GroupVascular Surgery Floyd Memorial Wound Healing Center Stroke & Aneurysm Vascular Screenings Every Tuesday & Thursday by appointment Stroke & Aneurysm Vascular Screenings are offered by the Floyd Memorial Heart & Vascular Center. They include noninvasive screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Peripheral Artery Disease and Carotid Artery Disease. The cost is $49 for all three. Call 1-800-4-SOURCE (1-800-476-8723) for an appointment.
Abdominal Aorta
Renal Artery
Free Peripheral Artery Disease Screening Saturday, August 17 • 8 - 10:30 am Floyd Memorial Heart & Vascular Center
Femoral Artery
Popliteal Artery
Tibial Artery
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Are you at risk for stroke, heart attack or limb loss due to Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)? This free screening includes a comparison of blood pressure levels in the arms and legs to determine your Ankle Brachial Index (ABI), as well as a written questionnaire and physician consultation for those found to be at high risk. Registration required. Call 1-800-4-SOURCE (1-800-476-8723) for an appointment.
Healthy artery with blood flowing freely
Wound Center Puts the Focus on Healing Are You at Risk of Vascular Disease? If you are 50 or older and have one of the following conditions, you may have poor circulation and be at risk for vascular disease: • High blood pressure • High cholesterol • Diabetes • Smoker • Known cardiovascular disease • Family history of aneurysms
Unhealthy artery with plaque formation beginning to restrict blood flow
Artery that is rupturing, clotting and has blocked blood flow
Vascular disease causes poor circulation and oxygenation of tissues, particularly in the legs and feet. This can often lead to wounds that are difficult to heal and can even lead to amputation. Knowing when to seek medical attention for a wound is key to treatment. Floyd Memorial’s Wound Healing Center is dedicated to the treatment and prevention of wounds, both acute and chronic, using the latest techniques for healing and preservation of limbs while minimizing reoccurrence. “The important thing about a wound healing center is that it allows the doctor to dedicate 100 percent of their energy to healing wounds,” said Dr. Wickel. “In a traditional medical office setting, there are so many other things that the doctor needs to focus on, and wounds don’t get the attention they need in order to be healed promptly and properly. But in a wound center environment, we have the time, expertise and proper
equipment to really make a big difference in how wounds are treated.” The Center offers a dedicated, multidisciplinary team of physicians and wound care specialists, including: • General surgery • Plastic surgery • Vascular surgery • Primary care Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) helps • Physical medicine wounds heal faster. • Rehabilitation • Podiatry Along with more traditional treatment options, the Center offers adjunctive therapies including bio engineered skin substitutes, wound vacuum systems and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). HBOT is a simple but effective treatment in which the patient breathes 100 percent oxygen inside a pressurized chamber.
Indications that a wound needs medical attention: • Worsening redness around the edges • Red streaks • Increase in pain or swelling • Unpleasant odor, drainage or lack of response to topical antibiotics • Any wound that doesn’t heal within a week.
For more information on Floyd Memorial’s Wound Healing Center, call (812) 949-7964 or visit floydmemorial.com/wound.
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