An Arteriovenous fistula or AV Fistula creation is a surgical connection made by a Vascular Surgeon between an artery and a vein for a patient diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease or ESRD. Typically they are located in the arm and are created to allow for long-term Hemo-Dialysis access. AV Fistula connections are the preferred access method for patients needing long-term dialysis because of their long-term functionality.
Hospitals are required to be joint commission accredited in order to provide the safest and appropriate care for their patients. But Accreditation is not required for outpatient centers such as Western Vascular Institute. Western Vascular requests these audits and subjects themselves to intense scrutiny to show our patients our continued commitment to quality care & outcomes in vein and artery treatments.
Are All Vein and Vascular centers accredited?
No, in fact, Western Vascular Institute is the only Vein and Vascular group in Arizona providing in-office care, dedicated to peripheral vascular disease accredited by The Joint Commission.
We believe that quality is the result of excellent work without compromise.
can occur without warning signs Also felt as discomfort in the affected area including Swelling and pain the affected leg. Additionally, redness and warmth along the vein where the clot is found.
Causes
Coagulation of blood is an important process that helps to prevent excessive bleeding during injury. However, in the absence of Injury, when the blood is not flowing properly or if it pools in the veins the platelets in the blood that help with coagulation can stick together and cause it to clot.
a. Inactivity- During a long flight or drive b. Damage to a vein c. Cancer or other diseases that cause your blood to clot more easily d. Medications e. Hormones
Risk Factors
a. Age b. Obesity c. Pregnancy d. Family History of DVT e. Having a catheter placed in a vein f. Deep vein injury g. Smoking
Diagnosis
Your vascular surgeon will ask questions about your symptoms and medical history as well as performing a thorough physical examination.
a. Duplex ultrasound to check the flow of blood in the area of the perceived clot. A Venograph can also be done by injecting a contrast dye into the vein under x-ray to see where the dye is allowed to pass through. The X-ray will show a mapping of your veins and show the area where the contrast dye was unable to pass through. Although DVT’s can generally be diagnosed by duplex ultrasound, venography is another option Western Vascular Institute has available to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatments
Most often a Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT can be treated by a medication known as blood thinners or anticoagulants. These medications help prevent the blood from clotting and over time reduce the size and consistency of the clot.
Staying Healthy
Maintain good overall health including a healthy diet and staying physically active will help reduce the risk of a DVT. It is likewise important to maintain a healthy weight and make sure to follow up with your vascular surgeon to discuss the possibility of long-term blood thinner medications.
A Vascular Ultrasound or Duplex study is a non-invasive test performed to evaluate a patient’s blood flow through the arteries and veins. The test provides Vascular Surgeons with the information they need to provide a diagnosis and set a course of treatment for each patient. All the ultrasound technicians at Western Vascular Institute are trained specifically in Vascular sonography, and the IAC Intersocietal Accreditation Commission accredits our facilities for vascular sonography.
Patients can rely on accreditation to indicate that the facility that performs their examination has proven a commitment to providing quality testing for the diagnosis of vascular disease. Patients can rest assured that accredited facilities have been carefully critiqued on all aspects of their operations considered relevant by medical experts in the field of vascular technology.
Health care organizations are held to very high levels of accountability by peers and the general public. In numerous states, reimbursement directives that require accreditation of the facility have been instituted by Medicare carriers and private, third-party insurers. Similar draft payment policies are pending throughout the United States. Facilities attaining accreditation before it is required for reimbursement demonstrate a willingness to surpass current expectations.
The general public and the vascular testing community members will recognize an unmatched commitment to providing quality health care by facilities that achieve IAC Vascular Testing accreditation.
Atherosclerosis – is a disease process that leads to the hardening or clogging of arteries. The build-up over time of substances such as fat, cholesterol, & calcium, collectively called plaque, narrows the artery and restricts the amount of blood able to pass through the arteries, and provides oxygen-rich blood to the body. This stenosis or narrowing of the artery can lead to serious problems such as stroke, amputation, heart attack, and death.
Dr. David J. Paolini Vascular Surgeon with Western Vascular Institute. Board Certified Vascular Surgeon
Dr. David Paolini is a Vascular Surgeon with over 15 years of Vascular Surgery experience. Dr. Paolini recently joined Western Vascular Institute as one of our acclaimed vascular surgeons from the Jobst vascular center in Toledo, Ohio. Dr. Paolini has had a passion for medicine and physics from a young age, feeling that Vascular Surgery is the perfect combination of the two scientific areas. Dr. Paolini completed his medical school training from Temple University (One of the best Medical Schools in the united states) in 1999 and after that moved to New Mexico to begin his residency at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Department of Surgery. After completing a 5-year surgical residency Dr. Paolini then moved to Toledo, Ohio to complete a Vascular Surgery specific fellowship at the prestigious Jobst Vascular Center. Dr. Paolini quickly gained accolades as one of the most innovative and competent vascular surgeons in the area as well as being heavily invested in Vascular Surgery research and publications. Dr. Paolini’s care philosophy is “ to take care of patients like you would want your kids’ taken care of ”. As a father of two wonderful children and supported by his beautiful wife Dr. Paolini is poised to join the ranks of the great caring vascular surgeons here at Western Vascular Institute. Dr. Paolini’s previous patients have described dr. Paolini as being kind, compassionate, & honest. We are excited to have Dr. Paolini as part Western Vascular Institute. Dr. Paolini is now accepting new patients in the Mesa and Payson office locations. For an appointment with Dr. Paolini please contact one of our new patient coordinators at (480) 668-5000 ext. 332
