|
Vascular surgery teams at Memorial University Medical Center specialize in the following procedures.
Arteriovenous (AV) Shunt Insertion
Arteriovenous (AV) shunt insertion is necessary for people who must have hemodialysis treatments due to kidney failure. Vascular surgeons implant two rubber tubes made of Teflon and silicon, usually in the lower leg or wrist. One tube is attached to an artery and the other is attached to a vein. The tubes protrude from the skin and are connected together. During hemodialysis, the tubes are disconnected and attached to the dialysis machine.
Carotid Endarterectomy
In this procedure, vascular surgeons remove plaque that has built up in the carotid artery in the neck. After the plaque is removed, the artery is stitched shut, restoring normal blood flow to the brain. Learn more about carotid endarterectomy.
Femoral Popliteal Bypass Graft
The purpose of this procedure is to remove plaque that has built up in the femoral artery (in the upper part of the leg) and popliteal artery (around the knee). Surgeons open the leg and remove a piece of vein from another part of the limb. They attach one part of the good vein above the blocked artery, and another part below it. This allows blood to be re-routed around the blocked area. In some cases, surgeons use a graft or artificial vein instead of a natural vein to create the bypass. Learn more about femoral popliteal bypass.
|