Vascular Disease

Cardiac Specialists offers an integrated approach to the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease, both coronary and peripheral. The diagnosis of PVD may be made through simple history and physical examination, noninvasive studies (ankle-brachial index, pulse volume recordings, ultrasound, CAT scan, MRI), or invasive studies (angiography). The treatment of PVD focuses on the relief of symptoms and preservation of organs and tissues. Aggressive medical therapy is the keystone of patient management. The most obvious is to change the risk factors that affect disease progression. Drug treatment includes platelet inhibitors (aspirin, Plavix), cholesterol lowering medications, and blood pressures medications. Non-surgical options are available to expand the lumen of the artery, thereby increasing blood flow and decreasing symptoms. These include balloon angioplasty and stenting. These procedures are performed in the catheterization laboratory, usually through the leg artery using a local anesthetic. Some patients are best served by a surgical procedure. Most surgical procedures involve bypassing or removing the blockage from the artery.

Drs. Robert Fishman and Edward Tuohy are available for consultation regarding problems associated with peripheral vascular disease. They are both certified in the use of angioplasty and stenting in the peripheral circulation and well as in the coronary arteries.