Vascular Surgery: Saving limbs, saving lives

Vascular disease can affect you in many ways.

Blockage of the carotid artery can lead to an increased risk of stroke. Our surgeons can diagnose and treat this condition to prevent the risk of a future stroke. Not all cases require surgery, and we will tailor a plan just for you. Your may be able to be offered carotid artery stenting, a minimally invasive procedure.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body, weakens and balloons outward. If this ballooning ruptures, it is often fatal. Your surgeons at Precision Surgery can discuss this disease process with you, and decide when surgery is appropriate. We will also discuss if you are a candidate for a minimally invasive procedure: abdominal aortic stenting.

Peripheral arterial occlusive disease occurs when blood vessels to the legs develop blockage. This can lead to leg pains and cramping, and if severe can lead to gangrene and amputation. At Precision Surgery, we believe in aggressive limb salvage and preservation. There are several ways blockages can be treated to prevent the need for amputation and to improve a patient's quality of life. Sometimes bypass surgery will be needed but many times newer techniques such as balloon angioplasty, stenting and atherectomy can be performed . These newer techniques restore blood flow with minimal discomfort and short hospital stays. For more information please contact us.

Vascular Surgery News Update:

There will be a live webcast featuring a vascular surgeon performing carotid artery stenting on December 6, 2005. While this procedure is happening in Wisconsin, carotid artery stenting is available in Texarkana. At this time, Dr. Jeffrey DeCaprio, a vascular and endovascular surgeon, is the only surgeon in Texarkana offering this treatment option for stroke prevention in people with blockage in the carotid artery.
Complete story on carotid artery stenting.

March 17, 2005
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced it is expanding coverage of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) of the carotid artery concurrent with stent placement to patients who are at high risk for carotid surgery—also known as carotid endarterectomy or CEA. The coverage expansion reflects the latest evidence on the effective use of stenting, and includes support for development of better evidence in additional uses.

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