What Does Endovascular Mean?
The term “endovascular” refers to medical procedures performed from within a blood vessel. Instead of making large incisions, these techniques access the body’s circulatory system internally. This approach allows for the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions affecting arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels.
Understanding the Endovascular Approach
The endovascular approach addresses issues inside blood vessels. A small incision provides entry. Through this minimal opening, a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into an artery. Using real-time imaging (e.g., X-rays), the catheter navigates through the vascular system to the target area.
Once the catheter reaches the target area, therapeutic devices can be deployed through it. This internal access contrasts with traditional open surgery, which requires larger incisions. Its minimally invasive nature offers advantages. Patients experience less pain, reduced blood loss, and a lower risk of infection.
The recovery period following an endovascular procedure is shorter, allowing patients to return to their daily activities more quickly. Many patients can go home the same day or after a short hospital stay. This contrasts with open surgeries, where hospital stays can range from seven to ten days and full recovery might take several months. The reduced trauma to the body means less stress on the heart and fewer risks for individuals with other medical conditions.
Common Endovascular Procedures
Endovascular techniques are employed to treat various conditions affecting the circulatory system. One common application is the repair of aneurysms, which are weakened, bulging areas in a blood vessel wall. For instance, endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) involves deploying a stent graft inside the weakened vessel to reinforce the wall and prevent rupture. This graft allows blood to flow through it without putting pressure on the aneurysm.
Another common procedure is angioplasty and stenting, used to open narrowed or blocked arteries, often due to plaque buildup (atherosclerosis). During angioplasty, a balloon-tipped catheter is guided to the blockage and inflated to widen the artery. A small wire mesh tube, a stent, is placed to keep the artery open after balloon deflation. These stents are coated with medication to prevent the artery from narrowing again.
Endovascular methods also treat vascular malformations, abnormal connections between arteries and veins. Embolization is a common technique where substances like coils, liquid agents, or tiny beads are injected through a catheter to block off these abnormal vessels. This process aims to reduce blood flow to the malformation while preserving circulation to healthy tissues. These procedures offer a less invasive alternative for conditions that once required extensive open surgery.