More than 80 million people in the United States have problems with their veins, the vessels that return blood to the heart once it has circulated through the body. The Western Vascular Institute & Vein Center is one of Arizona's largest vein centers with over 40 years combined experience. We treat all vascular disorders including the following:

Carotid Disease

The carotid arteries in the neck carry blood from the heart to the brain. Carotid artery disease results from a build-up of plaque that hardens the artery, a condition called atherosclerosis. This blockage can narrow the artery and restrict blood flow, increasing a person's risk of having a stroke. A piece of the blockage can also break off and lodge in the artery or in a smaller vessel.

Carotid artery disease often does not cause symptoms, but there are tests that can tell your doctor if you have it. Carotid surgery is performed to clear a blockage in the carotid artery and restore blood flow to the brain. Carotid procedures may take the form of an endarterectomy or an angioplasty with stent placement.

Medline Plus:    http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/carotidarterydisease.html
*Has policy on how to link to website

Web MD:  http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/carotid-artery-disease-causes-symptoms-tests-and-treatment
*Has policy on how to link to website

Aneurysms

An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge in the wall of an artery. They can occur in the brain, intestine, neck, spleen, legs, or heart. Usually aneurysms develop wherever pressure is strongest, i.e., in areas where blood vessels divide and branch off to other parts of the body. Aneurysms are extremely risky: if the aneurysm bursts, it can cause life-threatening internal hemorrhaging.

Aneurysms can be caused by illness or injury, but some people are genetically predisposed to aneurysms due to the poor elasticity of their arteries. Other factors include: plaque buildup, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, and blood infections.

There are two common approaches to aneurysm repair: traditional "open" or surgical repair, and "stent graft" or endovascular repair. During open aneurysm repair, the weakened part of your artery will be replaced with a tube-like replacement which will allow the blood to pass easily through it. Endovascular stent graft is performed within the artery using thin tubes called catheters which are threaded through incisions in the groin area and through your blood vessels. This procedure is considered less invasive. Surgery time depends on several factors including area of aneurysm, size, and type.

Medline Plus:    http://www.nlm..nih.gov/medlineplus/aneurysms.html
*Has policy on how to link to website 

Web MD:  http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/tc/aortic-aneurysm-overview
*Has policy on how to link to website

Zenith Cook Medical Site:   http://www.cookmedical.com/ai/home.do

Aneurx Medtronic Site:     http://www.medtronic.com/physician/aneurx/

Gore Excluder  Site:    http://www.goremedical..com/excluder/index

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Peripheral Vascular Disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) or peripheral vascular disease (PVD) occur when peripheral blood vessels are blocked, hardened and narrowed, a condition known as atherosclerosis. Risk factors for developing vascular disease include:

Signs that you may have peripheral vascular disease are leg pain that often occurs when exercising and ceases during rest; numbness, coldness, change of color or loss of hair in the legs or feet; muscle pain in the thighs or lower; paleness, blueness or weak or absent pulse in a limb; and an abnormal change in the way you walk. Treatment options for PAD/PVD range from life changes and medications (sclerosing agents or blood thinners) to catheter-based treatments and traditional or endoscopic surgery. Surgery promotes clear blood flow by bypassing a vessel using a graft made of tissue from another undamaged vessel.

Medline Plus:    http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/peripheralarterialdisease.html

Web MD:   http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/peripheral-vascular-disease 

Venous Insufficiency

Also called venous insufficiency, venous disease can result in a number of cosmetic disfigurements and health problems, from spider veins and varicose veins to blood clots and skin ulcers. Common symptoms include swelling and discomfort as well as skin discoloration, skin thickening, spider veins at the ankles, and leg ulcers.

Blood tests, ultrasound, CT, MRI and venograms (X-ray exam with contrast dye) may be used to examine the veins for signs of disease. Conservative treatment typically involves a combination of leg elevation and compression stockings to improve blood flow. Blood thinners may be given to treat or prevent blood clots, although these drugs may themselves damage the valves and raise blood pressure. Surgical options include varicose vein removal for superficial veins; subfacial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) for perforating veins; and valve repair, valve transplant from the arm veins, and vein bypasses for deep veins.

Medline Plus:    http://www..nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/varicoseveins.html

Web MD: (Venous Ulcer)    http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/venous-skin-ulcer-topic-overview

Web MD: (Varicose Veins)    http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/varicose-veins-topic-overview

VNUS Website:  http://www.vnus.com/

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End Stage Renal Disease

End stage renal disease is the fifth and final stage of chronic kidney disease in which the kidneys are functioning at less than 15 percent of their normal capabilities. The kidneys experience complete or near complete failure and are unable to function on their own. It is most often caused by diabetes, but may also be a result of high blood pressure, vascular disease, an autoimmune disease or a genetic disorder.

At this stage, dialysis or a kidney transplant is usually needed. End stage renal disease causes weight loss, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, difficulty breathing and seizures. If left untreated, end stage renal disease is a fatal condition. Patients will have to undergo dialysis treatments several times a week and may become very weak and fragile. Transplants can often help restore patients’ health, but have long waiting lists and require daily supplemental medications as well.

Medline Plus:     http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dialysis.html

National Kidney Foundation:  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dialysis.html

 

Klippel- Trenaunay Syndrome (KTS)

Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome is a rare congenital malformation of the skin, blood vessles, and underlying soft tissue.  It may present itself as abnormal benign growths on the skin, consisting of masses of blood vessels, venous malformations of the capillaries, veins and lymphatics and limb hypertrophy.

The cause of KTS is unknown, and there is no cure.  However, laser surgery , embolization, sclerotheraphy, radiofrequency ablation and as a last resort, surgical resection may be used to diminish or erase some of the skin and vein abnormalities, though the re-occurrence rate extremely high.

Because the vascular abnormalities in KTS are not arterial in nature, the flow in the malformation remains slow, therefore causing the skin lesions to appear purple or blue (port wine stain), unlike Parkes Weber Syndrome (PWS) which is more arterial in nature and the malformations remain pink.

Both syndromes are rare and have no racial or geographic predisposition.

Western Vascular Institute has a vast knowledge in treatments for KTS and PWS.

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