Treatments

Vascular Repair / Grafting

Vascular Repair and Grafting are surgical procedures performed to restore blood flow in damaged or diseased blood vessels. These procedures are typically conducted to address conditions such as aneurysms, arterial blockages, trauma to blood vessels, or other vascular diseases. Surgery is perform to repair, reconstruct, or replace sections of blood vessels to ensure proper blood circulation.

Vascular Repair

Vascular repair involves fixing a damaged or diseased blood vessel to restore its function and ensure proper blood flow.
It can include:

• Repair of Aneurysms: Aneurysms are bulges in the blood vessel walls caused by weakening. Vascular repair involves removing or reinforcing the weakened section to prevent rupture.
• Trauma Repair: Injuries to arteries or veins, such as lacerations or ruptures, can be repaired surgically by suturing the vessel or using patches to close the defect.
• Endarterectomy: This is a procedure to remove plaque buildup from the inner lining of arteries (often performed in the carotid arteries), helping to restore blood flow and prevent strokes.

Vascular Grafting:

Vascular grafting is a surgical procedure that involves replacing or bypassing a damaged or blocked section of a blood vessel using a graft. The graft may be a synthetic material or a vein/artery from another part of the patient’s body (autograft).
The two primary types of grafting are:

• Bypass Grafting: Used when an artery is blocked due to atherosclerosis (buildup of plaque), the surgeon creates a new pathway (bypass) for blood to flow around the blockage.
• Aneurysm Grafting: In conditions such as an aortic aneurysm, where part of the artery wall weakens and bulges, a graft is placed inside the artery to reinforce it and prevent rupture.

When is Vascular Repair or Grafting Needed?

• Aneurysms: If an aneurysm is at risk of rupture (especially in the aorta), repair or grafting is needed to prevent life-threatening bleeding.
• Atherosclerosis: Severe plaque buildup in arteries that restricts blood flow may require bypass grafting to restore circulation, especially in coronary arteries, carotid arteries, or peripheral arteries.
• Trauma or Injury: In cases where blood vessels are injured from accidents, wounds, or fractures, vascular repair is needed to restore normal blood flow and prevent tissue damage.
• Blood Clots: Large blood clots in arteries may damage the vessel walls or block blood flow, requiring surgical intervention.

Advantages of Vascular Repair and Grafting:

• Restoration of Blood Flow: These procedures can significantly improve blood circulation, relieving symptoms like pain and preventing tissue damage due to poor blood supply.
• Life-Saving in Emergencies: Repairing aneurysms or injuries to major arteries can prevent fatal complications, such as a ruptured aneurysm or uncontrolled bleeding.
• Improvement of Quality of Life: Patients with vascular diseases, such as those needing coronary or peripheral artery bypass, often experience improved exercise tolerance and reduced symptoms like chest pain.