Vascular Access Centers was featured on CNN - view video
VAC Featured on the Local News in Philadelphia for CCSVI treatment - 6ABC News
Understanding that angioplasty – a medical treatment used by Interventional Radiologists to widen the veins in the neck and chest to improve blood flow – is safe may encourage additional studies for its use as a treatment option for individuals with multiple sclerosis, say researchers at the Society of Interventional Radiology's 36th Annual Sciengific Meeting in Chicago, Ill.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a general term used to describe obstructive atherosclerosis of the lower extremities. PAD occurs when cholesterol or plaque builds up in the arteries outside the heart—typically in the legs or pelvis—limiting normal blood fl ow and increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. PAD is more common in patients with chronic kidney disease than in the general population. Patients with impaired renal function have a greater than twofold risk of developing PAD, and in the dialysis population, the incidence of clinical PAD is 15%. We discuss the importance of early screening and diagnosis of this serious circulatory problem, and include a checklist that any member of the renal team can use to discuss symptoms with patients.
Central venous occlusions (CVOs) are a common complication that may be observed subsequent to the placement of central venous catheters. Previous studies have reported the incidence of venous thrombosis, the formation of which may result in CVOs, to be between approximately 3% and 38% after the placement of peripherally inserted central venous catheters and venous ports.1 The most common etiology of symptomatic lesions results from the long-term catheterization of patients for hemodialysis to treat endstage renal disease (ESRD). The presence of an ipsilateral vascular access greatly increases the blood flow in an upper extremity such that 70% of patients who have an ipsilateral hemodialysis access will become symptomatic with a CVO as compared to the 10% of nondialysis patients that become symptomatic. Ipsilateral hemodialysis access with a pacemaker are compounding risk variables. Symptoms that may develop due to a CVO include an acutely swollen arm, neck pain, facial swelling, and chest wall varicosities. Percutaneous treatment is a more common choice than thoracic surgery for alleviating these symptoms due to the high morbidity and mortality rates in ESRD patients with high upper extremity blood flow.
Failed central venous occlusion (CVO) recanalization leads to several unpalatable treatment options: surgical banding or take down of the ipsilateral dialysis access, surgical reconstruction with possible rip resection/thoracotomy, or the need for the patient to tolerate underlying symptoms secondary to the obstruction and possibly poor quality of hemodialysis related to recirculation.
A new device provides relief to patients with swollen arms and legs as a result of their medical conditions, such as those who are on dialysis for kidney failure, or who have pacemakers. These patients have permanent devices in their veins, which can causes scarring and reduce blood flow, leading to swollen extremities. Doctors use a variety of techniques to open up the completely blocked veins (called a central venous occlusion, or CVO), but efforts fail 10 to 12 percent of the time, and those patients are miserable because their extremities are very swollen. The new device, the Baylis PowerWire™ Radiofrequency (RF) Guidewire, is advanced to the site of the scarring using minimally invasive techniques. RF energy is used to burn through the blockage.
Lower-limb chronic venous insufficiency is a common clinical condition that affects 25% of women and 15% of men in the United States. If left untreated, approcimately 50% of patients with significant superficial venous insufficiency will develop chronic symptoms of lower-limb edema, eczema, pigmentation, hemorrhage, and ulceration. Valvular incompetence at the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) with great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux is the most common cause of chronic venous insufficiency. Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) is an alternative that is minimally invasive compared with surgery for the treatment of (GSV) reflux, especially in patients who are poor surgical candidates.
Vascular Access Centers has locations in 9 states and the District of Comumbia. The Vascular Access Center of Durham offers hemodialysis fistula and graft interventions, complete catheter services, and peripheral arterial disease screening and treatment. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (919) 251-6605
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Taking Strides ~ The Peripheral Vascular Institute of Philadelphia helps people with PAD retain their independence.
Led by Dr. James F. McGuckin Jr., founder and chief executive officer of Vascular Access Centers, thePeripheral Vascular Institute of Philadelphia (PVIP) is on the forefront in treating PAD—a debilitating condition that can be successfully treated. According to Dr. McGuckin, “Over the past five years, we have seen a great number of technological advances that have changed the dynamics of treatment. No longer do patients require major surgery in order to resume regular activity.”
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Dr. Daniel Simon of Vascular Access Centers in West Orange, NJ is profiled as The New York Times reports on the CCSVI movement for Multiple Sclerosis patients. This article gives a high level overview of the Zamboni theory, the demand for treatment, and features one of VAC's very own physicians and his journey to become one of the leading interventionalists treating CCSVI for symptomatic MS patients.