DR RAHUL LAKSHMINARAYANAN

Who is a vascular surgeon?

Vascular surgeons are experts highly trained to treat complications of the vascular system. Our blood vessels are the roadways of our circulatory system. Without smoothly flowing blood, our body cannot function. Conditions such as hardening of the arteries can create clogs in our circulatory system, obstructing the flow of blood to any part of the body. Vascular surgeons fix these roadblocks through surgeries and other methods.

What does a vascular surgeon do?

Vascular surgeon diagnoses, manage and treat conditions in the arteries and veins, also called our blood vessels. These professionals treat a range of health problems, from varicose and spider veins to life-threatening aneurysms, and can help their patients control chronic conditions throughout their lives.

Their responsibilities are:

• Assisting doctors from other specialties with the stopping of vascular bleeding
• Assisting other doctors in the management of the vascular issues of diabetes and renal disease
• Healing venous leg ulceration
• Improving the quality of life in patients with vascular disease
• Preventing death from an abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Preventing leg amputation due to peripheral arterial disease
• Preventing stroke due to carotid artery disease
• Promoting cardiovascular health
• Providing a renal access service for patients requiring hemodialysis
• Symptom relief from peripheral arterial and venous disease

Why would you be referred to a vascular surgeon?

There is still the misunderstanding that vascular surgeons are only involved with cases they are ready to take to the operating room.  This thought can, in fact, delay proper medical care for subjects with vascular disease. Hence, referring physicians might refer you to a vascular surgeon because they understand that vascular surgeons manage both medical and surgical aspects of vascular diseases. Early targeted vascular testing is critical to provide effective care.

What are the surgeries performed by a vascular surgeon?

• Bypass surgery and endovascular therapy for peripheral artery disease and gangrene of the limbs
• Carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting
• Endovascular and open surgical repair for deep vein occlusions
• Endovascular intervention and open bypass surgery for renal arteries and  mesenteric
• Endovascular intervention, such as angioplasty and stenting
• Endovascular reconstruction of abdominal aortic aneurysms
• Endovascular repair of thoracic aortic dissections, thoracic aortic aneurysms, and thoracoabdominal aneurysms
• Endovenous open surgical intervention and laser therapy for varicose veins and venous ulcers
• Hemodialysis access
• Open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms
• Open surgical reconstructions and stenting and balloon angioplasty in all vascular areas
• Treatment for Carotid Body Tumors
• Treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome

What diseases are treated by vascular surgeons?

A vascular surgeon manages many diseases that affect the blood vessels. This can include:

• Aneurysm which is a bulge or weak spot in an artery
• Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries
• Carotid artery disease or peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Compression disorders like thoracic outlet syndrome and nutcracker syndrome
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Spider veins
• Trauma to arteries and veins
• Varicose veins, or large, swollen, twisted veins
• Venous ulcers and arterial and diabetic (neuropathic) wounds

What is the difference between a cardiologist and vascular surgeon?

Cardiologists may concentrate on performing medical examinations on patients to provide them with a diagnosis, although some cardiologists are also qualified to execute procedures to operate heart and cardiovascular issues. Cardiologists are not qualified to do surgeries on a patient. Operating on patients is a primary task for vascular surgeons. Both of these medical specialists will evaluate patients and decide which type of treatment is needed. They may both implement ongoing care to patients and guide them on how to control their condition through lifestyle changes. Both may also be responsible for referring patients to other medical specialists, such as therapists and cardiovascular surgeons.