Most interventions are performed using intravascular endoscopy, which minimizes operative trauma and ensures fast, trouble-free recovery. These operations are not always performed directly at GMS Hospital; we frequently involve our partner medical institutions such as the Bakulev Center for Cardiovascular Surgery.
What symptoms indicate that you should contact a cardiovascular surgeon
A consultation with a cardiovascular surgeon is necessary if any of the following symptoms occur:
The vascular system is subject to pathologies of different types and origins. The doctor will make a quick and accurate diagnosis and proceed to administer the necessary treatment. Appointments with a cardiovascular surgeon at GMS Hospital can be made through the website or by phone.
What does a vascular surgeon treat
The list of pathological conditions that are diagnosed and treated by vascular surgeons is quite extensive:
- heart defects of various causes;
- ischemic heart disease (CHD);
- myocarditis;
- atrial fibrillation;
- stroke;
- hypertonic disease;
- atherosclerosis;
- myocardial infarction;
- arterial and venous embolism;
- thrombosis, thrombophlebitis;
- arteriovenous malformations;
- stroke;
- thromboangiitis obliterans;
- stenosis of carotid, visceral, coronary, renal arteries;
- aortic aneurysm;
- arteriovenous fistula, etc.
The decision to perform a surgical intervention is made by the doctor, in line with very specific criteria identifying a particular disease. Thanks to modern methods of endovascular surgery, today’s doctors can successfully treat almost any pathology of the heart and blood vessels.
Preparation, diagnosis
To diagnose lesions of the heart and large blood vessels, the cardiovascular specialist orders a comprehensive series of tests, including a wide range of laboratory analyses and instrumental exams:
- ultrasound exam of the heart;
- ultrasound duplex scanning;
- vascular sonography;
- angiography, including coronary and cerebral;
- Doppler ultrasound (USDG);
- CT, MRI, MSCT with contrast;
- ECG, echocardiogram, including Holter monitoring.
All exams are performed using high-tech diagnostic systems, which allow the specialist to see the slightest deviations in the functioning of the vascular system. Sometimes, to obtain the most complete picture of the disease, the doctor may prescribe additional examinations (ultrasound of the thyroid gland, kidneys, adrenal glands) and may enlist the help of related specialists.
What operations are performed
Cardiovascular surgeons perform operations to treat coronary heart disease, various arrhythmias, and heart failure. These specialists are able to correct all types of heart defects, and remove neoplasms of the pulmonary trunk and cardiovascular tumors. GMS Hospital surgeons perform the following operations:
- installation of pacemakesr;
- sclerotherapy;
- coronary artery bypass surgery;
- glue obliteration of varicose veins;
- vascular stenting;
- balloon angioplasty of vessels;
- pericardiocentesis;
- laser coagulation of blood vessels;
- phlebectomy;
- removal of aortic aneurysms.
Many procedures are performed using endovascular techniques, which don’t require large, traumatic surgical incisions; in fact they are performed without any incisions, and therefore involve no postoperative stitches or scarring. The vascular surgeon makes only one small puncture in the area of the large vessel being operated on, and endovasally (through the vein system) performs all the necessary steps without injury to the surrounding tissues.
What to expect after your appointment with the cardiovascular surgeon
The treatment plan is designed by the doctor on the basis of the diagnosis and the results obtained during the examination. Treatment always involves a combination of surgical intervention, medicinal therapy, sclerotherapy, and other approaches. The surgical plan is created individually for each patient, ensuring the best possible clinical outcome, minimizing risks, significantly reducing the rehabilitation period.
For patients who are candidates for surgery, the doctor will describe each stage of the procedure in detail, conduct all necessary preoperative exams and procedures, and set the date for hospitalization. Thanks to the use of minimally invasive microsurgical techniques, many operations do not require more than a 24-hour hospital stay following the procedure.
