Our physicians cover all areas of arterial and venous disorders, including:

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• Aortic Aneurysm

• Arteriovenous Malformation

• Barotid Artery Disease

• Claudication

• Critical Limb Ischemia

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

• Dialysis Access Management

• Iliac Vein Compression 

• Mesenteric Artery Disease

• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

• Pelvic Congestion Syndrome

• Pulmonary Embolism

• Renal Artery Stenosis

• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)

• Uterine fibroids

• Varicose Veins

• Venous Insufficiency

• Venous Ulcers

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A physical examination may be accompanied by an ultrasound scan to help the physician diagnose the problem. The ultrasound scan is usually done on the the same day and in the same office as your visit with the physician

The Vascular Laboratory uses ultrasound scans to take pictures of your arteries and veins.  Ultrasounds are high frequency sound waves that we cannot hear but that can penetrate through soft tissues.  They don't expose the patient to radiation risks like X-ray and are very safe. 

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After a physical examination, the physician will often order an ultrasound scan to help them with their diagnosis. The ultrasound technologist will hold a device, called a transducer, against the skin.  The transducer produces high frequency sound waves and converts the echoes from the sound waves into images of the arteries and veins to show the blood flow.  The images will help the physician evaluate any abnormality in the blood vessel.  

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An ultrasound scan usually takes about 30-45 minutes and should cause no discomfort or pain to the patient.

Whenever possible our physicians will use minimally invasive endovascular procedures to treat you.  Endovascular procedures have replaced open surgery as the preferred approach in the treatment of many vascular disorders.  

 

With minimally invasive procedures, instead of dissecting through tissues to reach a diseased vessel, a catheter is inserted into an artery or vein, usually in the groin, and guided by fluoroscopy (X-ray) to reach the diseased portion of the vessel.  The physician may inject dye into the vessel  or use intravascular ultrasound to perform a more detailed evaluation of the vessel.  Any occlusion of the vessel may then be treated with a balloon or stent inserted through the catheter.  Plaque may be removed using a laser or a mechanical cutting device using a technique called atherectomy.  Thrombus may also be removed mechanically through the catheter (Thrombectomy).

 

Because the procedure is done under local anesthesia and involves much less trauma to the body, the patient recovers much faster and is often able to return to work in a day or two.  The procedure itself typically takes an hour or less and is done on an outpatient basis.

 

Our endovascular labs are equipped with all the latest technologies for performing endovascular procedures, including:

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Angioplasty

Stent

Atherectomy

Thrombectomy

Embolization

Intravascular Ultrasound

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(Watch video of UVA endovascular lab featured on CHS show.)

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Our physicians have had many years of experience and have performed thousands of these procedures.  In the endovascular laboratory, they will provide you with safe, effective treatment in a friendly, convenient environment with techniques that result in the least amount of trauma and recovery time.