Vascular Disorders Large and Small

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Vascular Disorders Large and Small

Vascular Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center

James McKinsey, MD
Site Chief, Division of Vascular Surgery
Columbia University Medical Center
In Affiliation with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
Phone: 212.342.3255

Disorders of the major arteries of the vascular system are common and can cause problems ranging from life-threatening to cosmetic.

Vascular Disorders: Types

Aortic Aneurysm—A "ballooning" of the main arteries carrying blood throughout the body, that if untreated a rupture could be fatal.
Atherosclerosis—Also known as "hardening" or "narrowing" of the arteries, this accumulation of plaques on the walls of the arteries results in limitation of blood flow to critical organs.
Carotid Stenosis— The carotid arteries are responsible for most of the blood supply to the brain and are located one on either side of the windpipe. Narrowing of these major arteries can mean an increased risk for stroke.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)—inflammation and blood clots occurring in the deep veins, usually in the legs. The most significant danger of DVT is that part of a blood clot will break off and travel to the lung, where it can be fatal.
Lower Extremity Arterial Occlusive Disease—This narrowing of the arteries in the lower extremities often presents with claudication (exercise induced pain), severe pain with elevation, gangrene or severe infection.
Varicose Veins—While not life-threatening, these protruding veins resulting from faulty valves within the surface vessels of the legs can be unsightly. Treatments include use of laser or radiofrequency technology to seal off the veins and cause them to collapse and disappear or surgically removing the troublesome vein from the leg.

Vascular Disorders: Treatments

Treatments for vascular disorders include lifestyle modification, , and a variety of procedures, most being minimally invasive, although some require surgery.

For the major, life-threatening vascular disorders, vascular surgeons frequently employ sophisticated minimally invasive catheterization procedures in which a long hollow tube is inserted into the large blood vessels in the groin. The catheter is used to treat the vascular disorder through insertion of a reinforcing structure (stent) or inflation of a small balloon to open up a blocked vessel. These procedures have less instance of death and complication rates compared to open surgery.

Whether a patient is a candidate for a minimally invasive procedure depends on the extent and location of the the disease and should be discussed with the vascular surgeon.

Vascular Disorders: Risk and Avoidance

While it is difficult to prevent some kinds of vascular disease, which may occur due to advanced age or complications of specific health conditions, there are measures you can take to significantly lower your risk. These include eating a diet low in cholesterol, avoiding excessive alcohol use, stopping smoking, and staying active.

For more information, please visit http://www.columbiasurgery.org/vascular/.

Quality of Life Interventions from the Columbia University Department of Surgery