Peripheral Vascular Disease

Peripheral vascular disease is the atherosclerosis of the neck, abdomen and lower extremities. It presents in lower extremities as claudication and leg cramping early in the disease process. Later stage symptoms include pain while resting and non-healing ulcers that can eventually lead to ischemia and gangrene.

Candidates for screening include diabetics and smothers with onset of leg pain clinically suggestive of arterial disease, diabetics with ulcers, and elderly patients experiencing leg pain.

Diagnostic methods include the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) with Doppler ultrasound for early screening. While more advanced screening can be done utilizing MRA or CTA, the gold standard for diagnosis of PVD is angiography.

Treatment for PVD includes

  • Conventional angioplasy in which balloon dilations opens the narrowed arterial segment.
  • Stent placement using metal coils to hold narrowed arterial segments open.
  • Atherectomy which uses a cutting device to excise plaque from an occluded or narrowed artery.
  • Cryoplasty which utilizes angioplasty in conjunction with freezing of the srrounding arterial wall.

Carotid Disease:

Is the build-up of plaque in the carotid arteries, and can result in symptoms of TIA and stroke.

Carotid blood flow is tested using Doppler Ultrasound followd by either CTA or MRA in patients presenting with suspected stenosis. Angiography of the carotid and cerebral vasculature is then performed followed by stenting of the carotid artery in patients with clinically significant narrowing.

The interventional radiologists at Rush-Copley work closely with surgeons and neurologists in a multi-disciplinary fashion to ensure that patients are screened for timely, effective treatment of carotid artery disease.

Interventional Radiology Clinic

Patients are treated and the progress of their disease tracked in Rush-Copley's Interventional Radiology Clinic where comprehensive care and management of patients include pre-procedure consultation and follow-up visits in the office to assess the effectiveness of care and to detect early recurrence of disease.

Other Arterial Procedures

  • Thrombolysis – Lysis is performed on patients who present with acultely cold extremities related to acute emboli.
  • Upper Extremity Angiography is used to demonstrate vasculopathies.
  • Aterial Embolizations are performed to control bleeding due to trauma, malignancy, or in situations of severe postpartum hemorrhage.