Vascular Disease Care

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Vascular disease care in Manchester, New Hampshire

When detected early, we can often treat vascular disease and the conditions it causes.

At Catholic Medical Center, our surgeons are specially trained to diagnose and treat a variety of vascular diseases. We work with you to build the best possible care plan, personalized to meet your cardiovascular needs.

Conditions our vascular surgeons treat

Our physicians specialize in caring for blood vessel disorders throughout the body. Using the latest technology and research, we can treat health conditions, such as:

Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Carotid artery disease
Peripheral artery disease
Vein disease

Vascular services we provide

Vascular disease can severely impact your venous and arterial systems, potentially leading to complications, including heart attack, stroke, ruptured blood vessels, blood clots or kidney failure. Our goal is to help you to manage and overcome these conditions with a comprehensive treatment plan.

Diagnostic imaging we offer

If your physician suspects you are experiencing vascular disease, they may order noninvasive testing that measures blood flow in your arteries and veins. Our registered vascular technologists (RVTs) typically use high-frequency ultrasound to determine the presence, location and severity of vascular disease.

Our range of testing options for vascular conditions includes:

Ankle-brachial index (ABI), all types
Aortoiliac duplex, all types
Arterial duplex-lower extremity scan
Arterial duplex-upper extremity scan
Arteriovenous (AV) fistula duplex
Bypass graft duplex
Carotid duplex
Pulse volume recordings (PVRs)
Venous mapping

To locate a tear in the aorta, your physician may use more extensive diagnostic tests, such as:

Aortic angiogram — Uses a special dye and X-rays to see how blood flows through the aorta.
Computerized tomography (CT) scan — Combines a series of multi-angled X-ray images to create a cross-sectional picture of the bones, blood vessels and soft tissues
Magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) — A type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that looks specifically at blood vessels
Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) — Uses an ultrasound probe inserted through the esophagus to get detailed images of the heart and aorta

Treatments we offer

We’re honored to be accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) for our commitment to quality peripheral arterial testing, peripheral venous testing and extracranial cerebrovascular testing. It's this commitment that drives collaboration amongst our dedicated team of board-certified physicians, cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, nephrologists, thoracic surgeons and interventional radiologists.

Working together, we use the advanced technologies and techniques at our disposal to diagnose potential issues, perform medical and surgical treatments, as well as guide you through lifestyle changes. Once a diagnosis has been reached, we can determine whether medication through dialysis is appropriate, or if surgery is more beneficial. Ultimately, the type of vascular condition you are experiencing will determine your course of treatment.

Aortic disease care

The aorta is the largest artery in the body, carrying oxygen-rich blood throughout. When affected by disease, the aorta can either dilate or split. We specialize in the early detection, monitoring and treatment of complex aortic conditions, using innovative imaging, surgical and endovascular techniques to help your aorta function as it should.

Our team provides medical and surgical care for a broad spectrum of aortic diseases, such as aneurysms and dissections.

Dissections

An aortic dissection is a tear that develops along the inner layer of the aorta. When this occurs, blood rushes through the tear, causing the aorta's inner and middle layers to separate, or dissect. If the blood breaks through the aorta's outer layer, an aortic dissection can be fatal. As such, they typically require emergency surgery. Less severe dissections may initially be treated with medications. We prioritize minimally invasive endovascular treatments for more serious aortic dissections, and were the first in New England to make these options available.

Risk factors to be aware of for aortic dissection include:

Aneurysm
Certain genetic diseases, such as:
- Connective tissue disorders
- Infectious conditions
- Inflammatory conditions
- Marfan syndrome
- Turner’s syndrome
Chronic high blood pressure
Family history of aortic dissection
Hardening of the arteries
Traumatic chest injury

Sudden, and often severe, symptoms of aortic dissection include:

Abdominal pain
Back pain
Chest pain
Difficulty speaking
Loss of consciousness
Loss of vision
Pain in the arms or legs
Paralysis of one side of your body
Rapid, weak pulse
Shortness of breath
Weakness

If you believe that you or someone near you may be experiencing an aortic dissection, please call 911 immediately. An initial physician review will include taking your medical history and performing a physical exam, before ordering diagnostic tests.

Dialysis access

We are able to treat many vascular conditions by administering medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, blood products, antibiotics and intravenous (IV) fluids, into your larger veins. To make this process easier, you may need a medical device called a catheter, or port. We offer convenient port or catheter placement for central lines, as well as evaluation and treatment for dialysis access.

If you require dialysis for kidney failure, and need venous access to receive treatment, we can provide fistula assessment, maintenance and repair. If necessary, our physicians can also place a dialysis catheter, a long, hollow tube inserted in a large vein through the neck. Dialysis catheters contain openings to both filter the blood and return it to circulation.

Venous condition care

Veins play a vital role in the circulatory system, transporting blood back to your heart. Common vein disorders, such as varicose veins or venous ulcers, can bring about pain, swelling, redness and bulging veins. When detected early, many venous conditions can be addressed with minimally invasive treatments, such as:

Ablation
Angioplasty
Catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy
Embolization
Embolectomy
Inferior vena cava (IVC) insertion
Noninvasive ultrasound
Phlebectomy
Sclerotherapy
Thrombectomy
Ultrasound

Our experienced vascular surgeons are specially trained to provide comprehensive care for venous disease, including diagnostic, cosmetic and therapeutic treatments.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

A DVT is a potentially life-threatening blood clot in the leg. Most symptoms, if any, include swelling, pain, warmth and redness. A pulmonary embolism (PE) can occur when a piece of a DVT blood clot travels to the lungs. Symptoms of PE may include trouble breathing, sharp chest pain with breathing, coughing up blood and a rapid heartbeat.

Risk factors for DVT, PE and other blood clots include:

Family history of clotting disorders
Hormonal birth control
Obesity
Pregnancy hormones
Previous DVT
Prolonged periods of sitting
Smoking
Surgery

DVT is most often treated with blood thinners, in order to keep the clot from growing, while preventing any new ones. Lifestyle adjustments, including exercise, weight loss and addressing coexisting medical issues, can help manage and reduce the risk of DVT. If you are deemed at risk, or are showing symptoms, you may undergo diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound, MRI or blood test. Our expert providers can help determine which screening and treatment is right for you.

Phlebitis and thrombosis

Phlebitis and thrombosis, sometimes referred to as superficial vein phlebitis and superficial vein thrombosis, are conditions that affect the veins close to the skin, primarily in the leg. Phlebitis is inflammation of the veins and thrombosis is a blood clot in the vein. The combination of both inflammation and a blood clot is called thrombophlebitis.

If your doctor suspects you have phlebitis or thrombosis, you may be referred to our vascular specialists for further evaluation and treatment. Phlebitis and thrombosis can indicate more serious venous problems, including life-threatening DVT. For this reason, it is important to diagnose and treat these conditions as early as possible.

Risk factors for phlebitis and thrombosis include:

Age
Gender
Hormones
Previous history of phlebitis
Prolonged periods of sitting
Smoking
Varicose veins

Ultrasound is most commonly used to screen for phlebitis and thrombosis. Ultimately, treatment aims to alleviate symptoms using heat or cold on the affected area, elevating the affected limb and taking over-the-counter pain medications. Special socks, called compression stockings, can also help. Clots that are detected closer to deep veins may be treated with a blood thinner. The best way to prevent phlebitis and thrombosis is to stay active and avoid prolonged periods of inactivity.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins happen when the vessels that manage blood flow through your veins don’t work properly. As a result, blood collects in the veins, causing them to become swollen and twisted. Varicose veins appear large and bulge if left untreated along the surface of the skin. They can be painful and lead to venous insufficiency. If left untreated, varicose veins can cause swelling, increased pain, skin discoloration and ulcerations of the lower legs that may turn into slow healing wounds.

Spider veins, a mild form of varicose veins, are a network of red or blue veins on the skin’s surface, and can appear on the legs or face. They usually do not indicate a more serious problem, but can be a cosmetic concern.

Risk factors for varicose veins include:

Age
Family history
Gender
Obesity
Pregnancy
Previous blood clots
Prolonged periods of standing
Vein surgery

If you are experiencing varicose veins, our team of compassionate physicians, technicians and support staff can assess the best treatment options for you. A visual exam of your legs is the most common way to diagnose varicose veins, while an ultrasound can also help determine how well the valves in your leg are working.

While many noninvasive and minimally invasive treatments exist, lifestyle adjustments, such as moving more frequently, regularly elevating your legs and wearing compression stockings, can typically help alleviate swelling. Spider veins can be cosmetically treated in various ways, including sclerotherapy, where a physician injects the vein with a solution that causes it to collapse and seal itself off.

We also provide a number of surgical procedures to eliminate or reduce the appearance of varicose veins. To help the blood in your leg move through healthy veins to the heart, our physicians can perform a combination of treatments, which may include laser and injection therapy.

Venous ulcer

A venous ulcer is a sore on your skin that is slow to heal because of venous insufficiency. Usually on the foot, they can be painful, ooze and become infected if left untreated.

Risk factors for venous ulcers include:

Age
Blood clots
Diabetes
Gender
Phlebitis
Obesity
Previous leg injury
Smoking
Varicose veins

Your provider will likely confirm a venous ulcer by visually examining the wound. Further diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound, can help determine if poor vein health in your legs is causing the ulcer. However, the underlying cause of your venous ulcer should also be addressed. Untreated varicose veins can lead to venous ulcers. Venous ulcers are usually treated with targeted wound care, compression socks or lifestyle adjustments, such as moving more frequently and regularly elevating your legs.

Vein and vascular surgery resources

If you and your physician determine you need surgery, our team has provided instructions for before and after the following procedures:

About our vascular care facility

Learn about how you will interact with our team and facility when you come to us for care.

Hear about the features of our facility.

Aneurysm risk factors

Let us explain the risk factors associated with an aneurysm and when to begin screening for common risk factors.

Watch us detail the risk factors.

Fistula assessment, maintenance and repair

If you already have fistulas established, they can be treated by our vascular specialists.

Learn how we assess and repair fistulas.

Getting a vascular consult

One of our doctors explains how easy it is to visit us for a vascular consult.

Preview your appointment.

Leaving varicose veins untreated

Learn from our experienced nurse practitioner about what happens if varicose veins are left untreated.

See untreated varicose veins.

Preventing varicose veins

If you are experiencing symptoms of varicose veins, or know you have a family history with them, it is important you know what steps to take to identify and treat them.

Discover tips on how to prevent varicose veins.