In the human body, blood vessels play the most significant role, ensuring nutrients and oxygen reach every part of the body. But have you ever imagined what would happen if those blood vessels weakened? This is when endovascular surgery comes into the frame, a minimally invasive procedure that helps strengthen individuals’ blood vessels to restore proper blood flow. Further, let’s dive into this blog to know how endovascular surgery works and why it remains a game changer in modern medicine.
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What are weak blood vessels?
Typically the human circulatory system consists of three main types of blood vessels, and each serves a unique function.
- Arteries: As all we know, these carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the remaining parts of the body.
- Veins: These return back the oxygen-depleted blood to the heart.
- Capillaries: Small blood vessels that link arteries and veins, helping with nutrient and gas exchange with tissues.
Weakened blood vessels can be a result of a range of conditions like aneurysms, atherosclerosis, and vascular-related issues. These conditions can result in complex health conditions like strokes, organ damage, or even life-threatening hemorrhages. Further, the common symptoms include:
- Bulging or inflammation in veins
- Reduced circulation resulting in pain or numbness
- High risk of clot formation
Whenever experiencing the above-mentioned signs, reach out to the interventional radiology doctor in Coimbatore to get the desired outcomes. Before, traditional open surgery remained a primary treatment for these conditions, a large incision will be made and typically it takes a long time to recover. However, endovascular surgery completely changed the way of managing vascular issues.
What is endovascular surgery?
As we mentioned above, endovascular surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that treats and strengthens weak blood vessels from within. Typically surgeons will use catheters a thin and flexible tubes, these catheters will be inserted in the groin or arm through small incisions, to navigate through the blood vessels and treat the affected area.
How does endovascular surgery strengthen blood vessels?
– Stent placement:
A stent is a tiny mesh tube placed inside a blood vessel to keep it open and support weakened walls. The surgeon inserts a catheter with a collapsed stent into the affected area. Once it is placed carefully, when the stent expands, it helps reinforce the vessel and prevent collapse or rupture. This method is commonly used in coronary artery disease, aneurysm repair, and peripheral artery disease.
– Angioplasty:
In this procedure, a balloon will be used to widen the narrowed or blocked arteries. During the procedure, a catheter is inserted with a small balloon into the narrowed area. The balloon will get inflated, and it will push the plaque against the artery walls and restore the blood flow. This method will be used in cases of atherosclerosis to prevent strokes and heart attacks.
– Aneurysm repair with grafts:
In this procedure, a synthetic tube will be inserted into the weakened artery to reinforce its structure. During the procedure, the graft will be guided through a catheter and positioned inside the aneurysm, which prevents rupture while allowing blood to flow safely. This method is commonly used in treating abdominal aortic aneurysm and thoracic aortic aneurysm.
– Embolization therapy:
Embolization therapy is a technique in which abnormal blood vessels will be blocked to prevent bleeding or excess blood flow. Tiny coils, glue, and other agents will be inserted through the catheter to block the vessels that create the problem. This method is commonly used in treating tumors, vascular malformations, and bleeding conditions.
When to reach out to a doctor for weak blood vessels?
Individuals should consider reaching out to the doctor when experiencing signs like:
- Chronic leg pain, swelling, or cramping
- Sudden weakness or numbness in the limbs
- Visible bulging veins or abnormal pulsations in the abdomen
- Frequent fainting or dizziness
- When the wounds in the leg or feet take longer to heal
- Discoloration or coldness in the extremities
- Unexplained intense headaches or vision changes
Timely diagnosis and intervention can assist in preventing complications such as strokes, aneurysm rupture, or intense circulation issues. Simply, when experiencing any of these signs, consider consulting a vascular specialist immediately.
What are the benefits of endovascular surgery?
- Minimally invasive: Typically any surgery that makes a small incision means the pain experienced will be less and you can recover quickly when compared with traditional open surgery.
- Reduced complications: The chances of risk are low, so you do not need to experience infection, bleeding, or scarring.
- Faster recovery: Most of the patients return to their homes on the same day or within a few days.
- Highly effective: Individuals at high risk can undergo this endovascular procedure like those who cannot bear the pain of open surgery due to their age or medical conditions.
Who requires endovascular surgery?
Endovascular interventions or endovascular brain surgery in Coimbatore can benefit individuals with aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease, deep vein thrombosis, and other vascular conditions. In case you are experiencing signs like leg pain, swelling, or dizziness, consider reaching out to the vascular specialist for an evaluation.
Final thoughts:
In conclusion, we can say that endovascular surgery has made a significant transformation in the treatment of weak blood vessels, providing a safer, faster, and highly effective alternative to traditional surgery. By treating blood vessel walls and restoring normal circulation, this method protects you from life-threatening issues and enhances your overall vascular health. When you or your loved one is affected by a vascular condition, discussing endovascular treatment options with a doctor will be the best decision.
