Surgeons of the Hickory Surgical Clinic provide comprehensive care to persons with vascular diseases – conditions that are the result of injury or disease to the blood vessels. Our doctors are thoroughly trained and experienced in the diagnosis of vascular disease, and provide a full range of treatment options – including surgical and non-operative measures.

We treat the person, not just the disease. This involves a detailed discussion of your symptoms, consideration of other medical problems, and accurate diagnostic tests, to create a treatment plan tailored to the individual. It is crucial that the patient have a good understanding of the disease process, natural course of the disease, and have realistic expectations of the outcomes likely from the recommended treatment. Vascular diseases are often monitored for an extended period of time, making the doctor-patient relationship a crucial issue.

Artery Disease

Symptoms from arterial disease are often due to progressive narrowing of the arterial channel, a process commonly referred to as atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. While almost any artery can be affected by atherosclerosis, the common vessels include the carotid arteries in the neck, the coronary arteries in the heart, the abdominal aorta and its branches, and the arteries of the legs.

Disease of the carotid arteries in the neck are responsible for about one-third of all strokes, while disease of the leg arteries can cause pain and cramping with walking. More severe degrees of disease can lead to ulcers or even limb loss. Finally, diseases of the vessels supplying blood to the internal organs can cause problems with blood pressure control, kidney failure, or severe digestive problems. Treatment for these problems ranges from observation alone to medication or major reconstructive surgery.

Another process treated by our surgeons is arterial aneurysms. An aneurysm is an abnormal enlargement of an artery, most commonly involving the aorta (major blood vessel from the heart) and vessels of the legs. Aortic aneurysms are treated to prevent disastrous rupture, while those in the legs are treated to prevent limb loss. In fact, rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is the thirteenth leading cause of death among men. When indicated, surgery can effectively treat an aneurysm and can prevent the catastrophe of rupture or limb loss. Surgeons of the Hickory Surgical Clinic are fellowship trained in treating aneurysms, and have also received extensive training and experience in minimally invasive treatment of aneurysms. This latter approach has significantly reduced the recovery time and discomfort following surgery. Consultation with your surgeon can show if this is an option for you. Aneurysms do not typically cause symptoms and therefore diagnosis is largely dependent on a thorough physical exam and clinical suspicion.

Vein Disease

Diseases of the veins almost exclusively involve the legs. These problems include spider veins (or telangiectasia), varicose veins, leg swelling, and leg ulcers. Symptoms may develop after childbirth, after a blood clot in the veins (thrombophlebitis) or develop slowly over many years. Symptoms range from stinging, aching and heaviness, swelling to ulceration. Venous diseases can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from arterial diseases and experience is important in arriving at an accurate diagnosis, a key feature in proper treatment.

Vascular Diagnostic Lab

The Hickory Surgical Clinic is equipped with a full-service vascular diagnostic lab. Our technologist has twenty years experience in the field and holds the title of Registered Vascular Technologist, signifying advanced training and capabilities in the diagnosis of vascular disease. Ultrasound is a painless way to examine the arteries and veins. Our clinic will often use ultrasound as an initial diagnostic tool. Ultrasound studies are also used to follow the status of arterial disease or aneurysms over time.

Following your evaluation, the doctor may recommend an arteriogram. This employs x-rays and contrast dye to image the arteries. Some disease processes can also be treated in this manner with balloon angioplasty and stenting. Our doctors have a close relationship with the interventional radiologists (x-ray doctors who do the test) and all treatments are thoroughly discussed before being offered.