10/28/2020
Endo-Vascular specialists is a cardiovascular subspecialty that focuses on diseases of the circulatory system, the arteries and veins. In order to be qualified to perform endo-vascular procedures, there is 6 years of medical school, followed by a 3 year general internal medicine residency, followed by 3 years cardiovascular fellowship and then followed finally a 1 to 2 year fellowship in Interventional cardiovascular fellowship, to learn more hands on percutaneous skills regarding the arteries and veins.
Endovascular Procedures can be performed in both a hospital setting and in an office based setting. New technology over the last 20 years have shifted a lot of procedures from being performed in the hospital to being performed in the office. Procedures may also range from being complex to very simple procedures. Most of the minimally invasive procedures are typically performed in an office setting, but based on the complexity or severity of the condition, some must still be performed in a hospital setting.
Perhaps one of the most well known types of endovascular procedures involves treatment of varicose veins. This is a common diagnosis, therefore many people may have looked into having endovascular procedures to correct their varicose veins or have already had procedures done to correct their varicose veins. Besides varicose veins, there are a multitude of other procedures that are performed through endovascular techniques, as there are a lot of veins and arteries that course through the body.
Some of the other common vessels that may be affected by differing diseases are the carotid arteries (found in the neck), abdominal aorta (found in the stomach), and femoral arteries (found in the legs). Of course, many other vessels in the body can be affected, but these are some of the more commonly affected vessels. Many arteries become clogged with cholesterol or there is a narrowing of the artery by some other cause. Other arteries develop a weakness in their wall, which causes an outpouching, known as an aneurysm. These types of defects and diseases are what vascular surgery addresses.
How does endovascular procedures repair these vessels? For arteries that may be clogged, such as arteries of the heart (coronaries) of the neck (Carotids) of the legs (Iliac, femoral and popliteal arteries), an angioplasty or stents may be performed. Stenting or balloon angioplasty may be performed on arteries in the leg if there are blockages or narrowing due to peripheral vascular disease. Aneurysms can be repaired by endovascular treatment or open procedures to fix the defect in the vessel wall to prevent rupture. If there is an occlusion within the veins, such as a large clot, this can be removed through a minimally invasive technique called an endovascular procedure.
Many catheter base or percutaneous options are available to repair veins and arteries. If you have specific concerns or have been diagnosed with varicose veins, abdominal aneurysm, or peripheral vascular disease, an endovascular specialists may be what you need in order to treat your symptoms.
