Vascular Disease

The vascular system refers to the system of arteries and veins that carry blood through the body. Vascular disease includes all conditions that affect that system. Recent advances in catheter-based, minimally invasive treatment options have expanded the role of Interventional Radiology in managing vascular disease.

If left untreated, vascular issues can have severe consequences, leading to clotting, aneurysms, and even death. During interventional procedures, vascular disease specialists rely on catheter and needle-based treatments to open blocked vessels and close enlarged ones. These image-guided techniques, also known as endovascular therapy, are minimally invasive and help relieve symptoms while treating vascular disease.

Common conditions and treatments include:

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) occurs when blood in the limbs (most often the legs) become narrow or obstructed, leading to poor circulation. Narrowing or blockage can occur in large or small vessels. Symptoms include weakness, numbness, and pain, especially when walking. Though PVD is a serious health condition, thanks to Interventional Radiology there are multiple minimally-invasive treatment options available.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Any enlarged area of the artery wall that is weakened or bulging is called an aneurysm. Aneurysms, if left untreated long enough, can eventually rupture. A ruptured aneurysm leads to internal bleeding and is potentially life threatening. They most commonly occur in the brain and the aorta, the body’s largest blood vessel. To repair a ruptured aorta, interventional radiologists place aortic stent grafts using image-guided catheters threaded through the leg arteries.

DVT

DVT refers to a blood clot (thrombus) that forms in the veins. A common type of thrombosis is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which occurs in the deep veins of the leg. While clots frequently have no symptoms, you may experience swelling or pain in the leg. These clots are dangerous because if they become dislodged they can travel to the lungs, where they become lodged. Clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) are life-threatening. However, if diagnosed early clots in the leg veins can be dissolved with medicine and cleared with additional VIR techniques and devices.

Arteriovenous Malformations

Arteriovenous malformations are abnormal tangles of blood vessels connecting arteries and veins. This malformation disrupts the normal flow of blood and oxygen, causing symptoms such as pain, swelling and skin discoloration. They are also at a high risk for rupture. Diagnosis and treatment includes the use of angiography, embolization, and stent grafting techniques.