Vascular disease affects the blood vessels and veins and is most often caused by atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). When arteries become blocked, blood flow can be limited to the heart, brain, kidneys, stomach and legs.
Vascular Services at Missouri Baptist Medical Center include a wide array of programs, from non-invasive diagnostic services through minimally invasive therapies to vascular surgery. Rapidly developing technologies in the area of vascular care have allowed more services to be provided using less invasive techniques. The vascular surgeons, radiologists and cardiologists at Missouri Baptist are dedicated to providing the latest technologies, and treating patients with vascular disease using minimally invasive techniques when appropriate.
Types of Vascular Disease
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Various types of aneurysms, including renal, thoracic and abdominal aneurysms (Read more - Aneurysms)
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Carotid Artery Disease -- occurs when the large carotid arteries on each side of the neck that deliver blood to the brain become blocked, restricting blood flow to the brain. This disease can cause the formation of blood clots, which can cause stroke.
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Venous Disease -- occurs when veins become inflamed and blocked, especially veins in the legs.
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Peripheral Artery Disease –- occurs when atherosclerosis on the arterial walls limit blood to the legs and arms, which can cause leg pain.
Risk Factors for Vascular Disease
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Smoking
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Diabetes
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High cholesterol
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Heart disease
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Obesity
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Older than age 60
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High blood pressure
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Aneurysm
Diagnosing Vascular Disease
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Vascular Ultrasound -- an ultrasound examination of the peripheral veins and arteries to determine blood flow.
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Peripheral Angiography -- a dye test of the veins or arteries to identify blockage of blood supply.
Treatment of Vascular Disease
Non-Surgical Therapies
Standard vascular surgical techniques are being replaced by an expanding set of non-surgical, endovascular procedures, made possible by rapidly advancing technology. Endovascular therapies are the most rapidly growing segment of vascular services at Missouri Baptist. These services consist primarily of minimally invasive, catheter-based, percutaneous procedures, including:
The greatest benefits for patients related to these non-surgical therapies are a dramatic reduction in hospital length of stay, high success rates, low complication rates and less scarring due to smaller incisions.
Surgery
Should surgery be required, our vascular specialists have extensive experience, performing hundreds of vascular procedures annually. They are skilled in the latest techniques and procedures, and strive to achieve the best possible practice available for our patients.
A dedicated group of staff works closely with the vascular surgeons to ensure the best possible expertise throughout the patient care team, including experienced vascular surgery nurses and vascular technologists.