What are endovascular treatments?
Endovascular treatment, or endovascular surgery, is a minimally invasive procedure in which Dr. Al Kaddoumi repairs problems with blood vessels using a thin, long, lighted tube. The vessels might be too narrow, blocked, or weak. He completes endovascular treatments inside blood vessels to widen them, strengthen them, or prevent complications.
Why might I need endovascular treatment?
You might require endovascular treatment because of peripheral artery disease (PAD), coronary artery disease (CAD), an aneurysm, or other vascular diseases that cause blood vessel damage. Symptoms of PAD include:
- Painful leg cramping
- Leg numbness or weakness
- Coldness in the legs
- Non-healing sores
- Pain in the arms
To determine if you’re a good candidate for endovascular treatment, Dr. Al Kaddoumi reviews your medical history and symptoms, completes a physical examination, and might recommend you undergo an ultrasound or other diagnostic procedures.
How should I prepare for endovascular treatment?
Follow Dr. Al Kaddoumi’s instructions to get ready for endovascular treatment at Sam Houston Heart and Vascular. Avoid eating or drinking anything the morning of the procedure if he asks you to, stop taking certain medications as directed, and arrange for someone to drive you home afterward. Right before endovascular treatment, you receive anesthesia, so you don’t feel pain.
What are different types of endovascular treatment?
Common types of endovascular surgery include:
Angioplasty
During angioplasty, Dr. Al Kaddoumi threads a catheter into a blood vessel. He inflates a small balloon to widen the vessel. He might insert a mesh tube, called a stent, into the artery to hold it open.
Bypass surgery
During bypass surgery, Dr. Al Kaddoumi creates a path around a blocked artery using a synthetic blood vessel or a blood vessel from another part of your body.
Thrombolytic therapy
Dr. Al Kaddoumi can inject a clot-dissolving medication into arteries to break up clots and prevent blockages.
What should I expect after the procedure?
Endovascular treatments are less invasive than traditional open surgery, which means a faster recovery. Follow Dr. Al Kaddoumi’s instructions after endovascular treatment. Get plenty of rest and take medications as directed. Attend follow-up appointments as needed and call Sam Houston Heart and Vascular if you experience new or worsening symptoms.
If you’re at risk of vascular disease or experience symptoms of a heart or blood vessel problem, call Sam Houston Heart and Vascular, or book an appointment online today.
