Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is when large and medium-sized peripheral arteries — which supply blood to the head, organs and limbs — become narrow or clogged and restrict blood flow. PAD is dangerous and potentially deadly. Most often found in the legs, PAD is caused by the buildup of plaque (atherosclerosis). It can cause pain, disability, organ failure and other serious consequences to lifestyle and health — even death. Also, atherosclerosis in the peripheral arteries is often accompanied by the same problem in the coronary arteries, which is heart disease. If you’re at risk, get screened for PAD! PAD on
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Heart Disease Is Treatable and Preventable
Heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease, is a term used to define several types of diseases that affect the cardiovascular system in your body. In Baton Rouge, Louisiana heart disease can include cardiac disease, vascular diseases affecting the brain and kidneys and peripheral artery disease. According to the American Heart Association heart disease can be attributed to atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque builds along the arterial walls constricting blood flow in the body. A clot can form when the arteries narrow, causing any number of life threatening issues such as heart attacks and strokes. Symptoms of heart disease can
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How Do You Know If You Have Peripheral Artery Disease?
Peripheral artery disease affects numerous individuals in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana area. 1 in 20 Americans over 50 has P.A.D. and you may not even know you have it. This disease occurs when arteries become constricted, causing reduced blood flow to your extremities, especially the legs. Losing blood flow to these areas can cause pain and slowed movement. It can also indicate a large problem in which fatty deposits are blocking your arteries, which can affect other areas besides the extremities. Your heart and brain can be damaged if this disease goes untreated. Fortunately, there are steps you can take
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Vascular Specialty Center Physician to Report Experience with Minimally-Invasive Laparoscopic Aortic Reconstruction
Dr. Andrew J. Olinde will discuss Vascular Specialty Center results of laparoscopic aortic repair at the 31st annual Northwestern Vascular Symposium on December 14th, 2006 in Chicago, IL. This meeting represents a major international forum for the specialty of vascular surgery and endovascular therapy. In conjunction with addressing the attendants, Vascular Specialty Center physicians will contribute a chapter for the accompanying textbook for the meeting – Trends in Vascular Surgery. Vascular Specialty Center is the leading center for laparoscopic aortic surgery in the United States having performed over 50 cases. “We are honored to have been invited to present our
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Vascular Specialty Center and Neuromedical Center Collaborate For Stroke-Prevention Clinical Trial
Baton Rouge, LA – Vascular Specialty Center is pleased to announce their collaboration with the Neuromedical Center for enrollment into the CREST trial for stroke prevention. The only carotid stenting stroke prevention trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, Vascular Specialty Center ranks as a leading enrolling site for this landmark, multicenter clinical trial. “We wish to sincerely thank the neurologists and staff of the fine Neuromedical Center for joining with us in delivering the latest vascular technologies to the people of South Louisiana”, says Dr. Andrew Olinde, Vascular Specialty Center physician.
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Vascular Specialty Center Selected to Assess Effectiveness of New Vascular Graft
Baton Rouge, LA – Vascular Specialty Center physicians in conjunction with Vascular Specialty Center Clinical Research division has been selected as one of a few national sites to assess the efficacy of a new vascular graft. The GORE PROPATEN Vascular Graft is the first ePTFE vascular graft that reduces clotting and is designed to address the clinical problem of thrombotic vascular graft failure. The GORE PROPATEN Vascular Graft is the first and only ePTFE-heparin combination in an emerging class of medical products that combine mechanical and biological elements. It is designed to address the gap in clinical performance between synthetic
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Vascular Specialty Center Physician Co-authors Results of Leading Vascular Clinical Trial Results Zymo trial
Baton Rouge, LA – A Vascular Specialty Center physician has recently co-authored results of a Phase 3 multiple site, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial designed to evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of rhThrombin and bovine thrombin in patients undergoing spinal surgery, hepatic resection, peripheral arterial bypass surgery, or arteriovenous graft formation for hemodialysis access (Journal of the American College of Surgeons 2007 Aug; 205(2):256-65.). Results of this trial suggest that rhThrombin has comparable efficacy, a similar safety profile, and is considerably less immunogenic than bovine thrombin when used for surgical hemostasis. “As a principle investigator and leading enroller for the
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Vascular Specialty Center physician first in region to use novel device for treatment of peripheral vascular disease
Baton Rouge LA – Vascular Specialty Center (VSC) physician Dr. Joseph M. Griffin recently became the first physician in the greater Baton Rouge/Gulf South region to use the Bard Crosser Catheter in the treatment of vascular disease. Dr. Griffin used the FDA approved Bard Crosser Catheter to restore blood flow in a long segment of blocked artery in order to prevent amputation. “This new technology is increasing our success rates of crossing arterial occlusions as compared to prior technology. In some circumstances of arterial occlusions the only option is to perform conventional bypass surgery; but now we are able treat
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Carotid Artery Disease and Stroke
Every 45 seconds, someone suffers a stroke in the United States. It is the third leading cause of death behind heart disease and cancer. As our population ages, more individuals will be at risk for suffering a stroke. 2/3 of stokes are due to complications of hypertension, which is an elevation in blood pressure. 1/3 is due to peripheral vascular disease (arterial blockages) that forms in the main blood vessels that carry blood to the brain. These blood vessels are known as the carotid arteries. For this reason, control of blood pressure and surveillance for carotid artery blockage are the
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