Vascular disease, or atherosclerosis, is a condition in which the arteries that carry blood become narrowed or clogged, interfering with the normal flow of blood.  Cholesterol and scar tissue build up, forming a substance called "plaque" that narrows or blocks the arteries.  Atherosclerosis can involve the arteries of the legs, kidneys, neck and brain.

Symptoms

Symptoms of atherosclerosis of the legs, also called peripheral vascular disease (PVD), may consist of pain or weakness in the legs when walking. Symptoms of atherosclerosis of the kidneys may include high blood pressure or kidney failure.  Symptoms of atherosclerosis of the neck and brain may include change in vision, imbalance, or stroke.

Who is at risk of vascular disease?

As many as 10 million people in the United States may have atherosclerosis.  It is estimated that 4 million of those suffer from leg pain symptoms.  Patients over the age of 50 may be at risk if any of the following factors are present:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Inactivity
• High blood pressure and/or high cholesterol
• Family history of heart or vascular disease

Treatment for vascular disease depends on a number of factors, including your overall health and the severity of the disease.  In some cases, lifestyle changes are enough to halt the progression of vascular disease.  Your healthcare provider may prescribe medication when lifestyle changes are not enough.

There are a number of ways that physicians can open blood vessels at the site of blockages and restore normal blood flow.  In many cases, these procedures can be performed without surgery, using modern interventional radiology techniques.

Interventional radiology treatments are generally easier for patients than surgery because they involve no surgical incision, are less painful, and have shorter hospital stays.  In most cases, the patient is released the same day.

Outpatient Diagnostic Imaging

Your pre-procedure evaluation may involve the following diagnostic testing.

Arterial Doppler – Uses ultrasound doppler probe and special blood pressure cuffs to measure amount of flow getting down your leg to your feet. 

Vascular Ultrasound (US) – Ultrasound uses low energy sound waves to view the flow of blood in surgical grafts or blood vessels.

Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) – MRA is a specialized type of MRI study, which can detect, diagnose and aid in the treatment of a variety of vascular disorders.  MRA can not be used if you have a pacemaker or other type of implanted metal.

Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) – CTA is a specialized type of CT study used to look specifically at arteries for treatment planning or to better visualize an area that has had a metal stent or stent graft placed.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

Depending on the results of your diagnostic studies, an interventional radiology procedure may be recommended.  These minimally invasive procedures will be done by our interventional radiologists at Fairview Southdale Hospital. 

Angiography

Angiography allows for a detailed, clear and accurate picture of the blood vessels and is used in patients who may undergo angioplasty or stenting.  After passing a catheter through an artery leading to the body area of interest, contrast material is injected to highlight the vessels, which are seen using x-ray.

Angioplasty

A catheter with a tiny balloon at the tip is inserted into the vessel, the balloon is then inflated and then deflated and removed.  Expanding the balloon stretches the arterial wall and opens the fatty plaques (atherosclerosis), helping to restore blood flow.

Stenting

A stent is a small wire mesh tube, which is placed across vessel narrowings using a balloon.  With the stent in place and the balloon removed, blood flow is restored to the narrowed vessel.

After Your Exam

Follow-up visits facilitated by our nurse clinician ensure that the treatment goal was met and can help prevent recurrent problems.  We monitor your outcomes through clinic visits and follow-up diagnostic exams as indicated.  The length of follow-up needed varies by treatment provided.

Contact Us

For more information, please call our nurse clinician at the Minnesota Vascular Clinic at 952-345-4179.