Endovascular Surgery

What is endovascular surgery?

Endovascular surgery is a category of minimally invasive procedures that do not involve a large incision. With endovascular surgery, Dr. Morris makes a small incision, usually in the groin, and uses a catheter to travel inside your arteries to the site of the issue. Once he has performed the procedure, the catheter is removed and only a tiny incision remains to heal.

Because the procedure requires only local anesthesia, has a quick recovery time, and a reduced chance of infection or complications, endovascular surgery is a great choice for many patients needing vascular procedures.

What types of endovascular surgery are available?

Atherectomy

Atherectomy is a technique for removing atherosclerosis — a buildup of plaque or fatty deposits — from blood vessels. During the procedure, Dr. Morris inserts a thin catheter and directs it to the narrowed blood vessel. Once at the site, he uses a tiny blade to shave off the plaque buildup, improving blood flow in the artery. Dr. Morris performs multiple types of atherectomies: 

• Rotational atherectomy using Rotablator™
• Orbital atherectomy using CSI Diamondback 360 Coronary Orbital System™
• Jetstream™ atherectomy
• Laser atherectomy using an excimer laser
• Cutting balloon atherectomy
• Directional atherectomy using Turbohawk™

Balloon angioplasty

A balloon angioplasty also travels to the site of a vessel with plaque buildup, frequently in arteries outside of the heart. However, with a balloon angioplasty, the catheter contains a balloon that blows up once it reaches the targeted site, pushing or flattening the buildup against the walls of the artery, restoring blood flow. 

Stent angioplasty

With stent angioplasty, once the targeted vessel is reached with a catheter, Dr. Morris inserts a small metal tube that acts as a scaffold to hold your affected artery open. A small balloon inside the catheter inflates the stent to reach the size of the artery walls, where it will remain in place after the catheter is removed. Stent angioplasty helps prevent your artery from narrowing again over time, which often happens without inserting a stent.

Stent graft angioplasty

Stent graft angioplasty is similar to stent angioplasty. However, regular stents are more like a skeleton of wire mesh, while a stent graft is more like a tube and is entirely covered in a medicated fabric that helps prevent narrowing of the artery.

Dr. Morris frequently uses the GoreⓇ ViabahnⓇ stent graft, which, once in place, expands like a balloon, providing flexibility and strength. Once inflated, this full-surface flexible tube serves as a long-term barrier, preventing the artery from closing again.

Venous ablation

Venous ablations treat varicose veins, which are the result of a buildup of blood in the superficial veins when the valves inside do not work properly to push the blood. During a venous ablation, the vein is closed and destroyed using either radiofrequency or laser. The laser or radiofrequency electrode reaches the targeted vein through a catheter. Once destroyed, the vein becomes invisible over several months.

Thrombectomy

A thrombectomy is a procedure to remove blood clots from a blood vessel. During the procedure, the catheter travels to the site of the clot using X-ray guidance, and a tiny wire grabs and removes the clot.  

What is EVAR?

EVAR stands for endovascular aneurysm repair. If your artery wall becomes weak, it can bulge and possibly rupture, which can become a life-threatening situation. This is called an aneurysm. The placement of a stent graft at the site of an aneurysm reinforces and stabilizes the weakened wall and prevents a rupture.

No matter which endovascular treatment you need, Dr. Morris provides personal, professional, and compassionate care to each patient of Lonestar Surgical Specialists P.A. You can rest assured your veins are in good hands. Call or click to make an appointment today.