DEFINITION:

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) involves the obstruction of arteries in limbs, hindering proper blood flow in the arms and, especially, in the legs, causing pain or numbness. It is a condition that does not usually produce symptoms until the obstruction is considerable. There are several risk factors such as smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, hypertension or high cholesterol.  

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS:

Peripheral arterial disease can be treated endovascularly by performing angioplasty in the affected artery and, if necessary, placing a stent.

For angioplasty a catheter is inserted into the artery with a small balloon, which is inflated to correct the hardening and facilitate blood circulation. In many cases it is necessary to place a stent, a small cylindrical wire mesh structure that prevents the artery hardening again.

BEFORE TREATMENT:

The patient must undergo a preliminary assessment to evaluate their case and the specific features of the treatment.

In addition, patients must undergo a pre-operative study including blood tests, electrocardiogram, etc.

Moreover, if you have a chronic illness or take medication regularly, especially blood thinners, you should inform the surgeon before the operation.

AFTER TREATMENT:

Any treatment must be accompanied by the abandonment of the aforementioned risk factors to prevent recurrence of the problem in another area.

After treatment, patients should rest with their legs stretched for at least 12 hours. Antiplatelet therapy will also be required after treatment. Average hospitalization time is 1 or 2 days and, once at home, sudden movements and intense exercise should be avoided for the first few weeks.  

DEFINITION:

A vascular bypass is a surgical technique to repair an obstruction or arterial injury. The femoro popliteal bypass focuses on repairing occlusions of the arteries of the lower extremities

DESCRIPTION:

The femoro popliteal bypass consists of creating a jumper to avoid the blocked area and restore circulation. Deviation can be done by a prosthesis or pieces of other veins or arteries.

The procedure can be done under local or general anesthesia and requires the patient to stay in the hospital for four or five days.

BEFORE THE PROCEDURE

Patients should undergo a preliminary test to evaluate the specific characteristics of their intervention.
Furthermore, they must undergo a standard preoperative study that includes blood tests, electrocardiogram, etc.
Also, if they have any chronic illness or regularly take medications, especially anticoagulants, they should inform the surgeon before surgery.

 AFTER THE PROCEDURE:

After the procedure there is a risk of wound infection or bypass thrombosis. It is very important have periodic reviews and control risk factors such as smoking, cholesterol, etc.

DEFINITION:

An aortic aneurysm is a localized dilatation of the artery that causes its wall to weaken. This problem may be due to different causes such as smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, hypertension or high cholesterol. Currently, the most common solution for the problem is surgery.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS:

There are two surgical techniques to treat an aortic aneurysm.

Firstly, the damaged part of the artery can be removed and replaced with a synthetic graft. To do this, an abdominal incision is made and the neck of the aneurysm and the iliac arteries are dissected, the tissue removed being replaced by a synthetic prosthesis. This surgery is performed under general anaesthesia.

As an alternative to surgery, endovascular aneurysm repair can be performed in many patients. In this case, a stent is placed in a damaged area through the femoral artery to reinforce the arterial wall. This technique requires a shorter operating time and reduces the recovery process. It is usually performed under local anaesthesia.

BEFORE TREATMENT:

The patient must undergo a preliminary assessment and a standard preoperative process.

Also, if you have a chronic illness or take medication regularly, you must inform the staff before treatment.

AFTER TREATMENT:

In both cases the patient will remain in hospital at least 48 hours, and this period can be up to 6 or 7 days in the case of open surgery. Antiplatelet therapy will also be required after treatment. Once out of hospital, efforts and intense activity should be avoided for at least a week until the scar is healed.

These operations do not eliminate the causes of the aneurysm, so we recommend a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle to prevent arteries dilating again. 

DEFINITION:

This condition involves the obstruction of the carotid arteries, the main suppliers of blood to the brain, which are located on either side of the neck. There are several risk factors such as smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, hypertension or high cholesterol.

Atherosclerosis hardens and progressively blocks the artery until a clot blocks it completely, causing a stroke.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS:

Besides pharmacological treatments and changes in the patient's habits, carotid stenosis can be treated with surgery, performing a carotid endarterectomy or angioplasty. Carotid endarterectomy involves opening the carotid artery and manually removing the plaque it contains.

For angioplasty a catheter is inserted into the artery with a small balloon, which is inflated to correct the hardening and facilitate blood circulation. In many cases it is necessary to place a stent, a small cylindrical wire mesh structure that prevents the artery hardening again.

BEFORE TREATMENT:

The patient must undergo a preliminary assessment to evaluate their case and the specific features of the treatment.

In addition, patients must undergo a pre-operative study including blood tests, electrocardiogram, etc.

Moreover, if you have a chronic illness or take medication regularly, especially blood thinners, you should inform the surgeon before the operation.

AFTER TREATMENT:

Any treatment must be accompanied by the abandonment of the aforementioned risk factors to prevent recurrence of the problem in another area.

Depending on the procedure performed recovery will be more or less rapid and antiplatelet therapy may be required after treatment. However, it is recommended to limit activity for the first few days and avoid sudden movements and efforts.

DEFINITION:

Varicose veins are veins that have become dilated by blood accumulates when venous valves that push blood toward the heart stop working properly. Varicose veins can be treated in different ways: surgically, with endolaser, etc.

DESCRIPTION:

Surgical removal of varicose veins can be done using different techniques depending on patient characteristics.

For very big varicose veins is usually used Stripping or varicectomy, which involves the removal of the affected veins. It can be performed under general or local anesthesia and requires a hospital stay of one or two days.

The CHIVA method  involves making a ligature of the veins to move blood into the deep veins. It is usually performed under local anesthesia and takes only 15 minutes. Patients don’t need to stay in hospital.

There are other techniques such as laser treatment or sclerotherapy treatments, but you should consult with your doctor the best one for you.

BEFORE THE PROCEDURE

Patients must undergo a preliminary assessment and specific tests such as ultrasound to evaluate their case and the most appropriate technique for treating varicose veins.

Furthermore, they must undergo a standard preoperative study that includes blood tests, electrocardiogram, etc.
Also, if they have any chronic illness or regularly take medications, especially anticoagulants, they should inform the surgeon before surgery.

AFTER THE PROCEDURE:

Patients can walk again from the first day after surgery. They must wear a compression stocking and keep moderate rest for about three weeks.

Patients may experience pain or excessive sensitivity in the area that will disappear after a few days.