Vascular Surgery

The vascular system is the system of blood vessels that carries blood to and from the heart. It includes arteries, veins and lymph vessels. Greenwich Hospital’s vascular care team includes top physicians in specialties such as vascular medicine, cardiology, vascular surgery, interventional radiology and diagnostic and interventional cardiology.

The team's diagnostic and surgical expertise, combined with state-of-the-art facilities and technology, offers patients the best possible outcome from diagnosis through treatment. Greenwich Hospital surgeons specialize in minimally invasive vascular procedures, which typically result in shorter hospital stays, less pain and faster recoveries.

Diagnosis and treatment are available for a full range of vascular conditions including:

• Blocked or narrowed arteries
• Aneurysms
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Aortic and peripheral arterial aneurysms
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Renal artery stenosis

Diagnostic Procedures

• Duplex Ultrasound. This test combines traditional ultrasound with Doppler ultrasonography to show blood flow to various parts of the body and reveal any blockages. A duplex ultrasound can help diagnose the following conditions:
  
  • Abdominal aneurysm
  • Arterial blockage (occlusion)
  • Blood clot
  • Carotid occlusive disease
  • Renal vascular disease
  • Varicose veins
  • Venous insufficiency
• Venography. This X-ray test uses dye injected into a vein to show how well the blood is flowing. A venogram is commonly used to find blood clots or guide treatment of diseased veins.
• Angiography. This minimally invasive test helps physicians diagnose and treat conditions of the blood vessels in key areas of the body. Angiography uses X-rays with catheters, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Treatment Options

• Minimally invasive endovascular repair. The abdominal aorta is the main artery that supplies blood to the stomach and legs. An aneurysm in this artery is a potentially life-threatening enlargement or bulge that can cause the vessel to burst. This new minimally invasive approach uses a device called an endograft to facilitate smaller incisions in the groin. This results in faster healing time and fewer complications compared to traditional “open” surgery.
• Angioplasty with or without vascular stenting. A minimally invasive procedure performed to improve blood flow in the body's arteries and veins. Imaging techniques are used to guide a balloon-tipped catheter into an artery or vein and advance it to where the vessel is narrow or blocked. The balloon is then inflated to open the vessel, deflated and removed. During angioplasty a stent may be permanently placed in the newly opened artery or vein to help it remain open.
• Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid angioplasty. These specialized surgical treatments are used to reduce blockages in the carotid arteries. These are the two large arteries on each side of the neck that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Carotid artery disease occurs when plaque builds up in the carotid arteries.
  
  • Carotid endarterectomy. Through a small incision in the neck, the carotid artery is opened and the blockage is removed. A vein from the leg may be sewn (grafted) on the carotid artery to widen or repair the vessel.
  • Carotid angioplasty. A thin balloon-tipped tube is threaded to the narrowed or blocked artery. Once in place, the balloon is inflated to push the plaque outward against the wall of the artery. The doctor typically places a small metal stent in the artery to reduce the risk that it will become blocked again.

Personal Guidance

The Greenwich Hospital staff provides individualized attention to all surgical patients. Patient support services include organizing preoperative tests and admission procedures, making discharge arrangements and helping patients understand insurance benefits.

Learn more about Personal Guidance