When patients are faced with questions about a vascular condition, it’s always important to consider all your treatment options and make sure you choose the right one with the team at Lawrence Schmetterer MD.
Our team is here to provide you with all the important details of diagnostic imaging, investigation, and treatments so that you can make an informed decision.
Here are five common services and treatments we offer to our patients in Youngstown Ohio, Salem Ohio, and the surrounding areas.
Carotid Artery Surgery
This surgery is performed to restore normal blood flow to the brain to prevent a stroke if a person already has symptoms of reduced blood flow.
Your carotid arteries can be found on either side of your neck and supply vital blood flow from the major vessel of the heart (the aorta) to the brain.
When narrowing happens or even minor blockages of these arteries occur, patients can be at a much higher risk of stroke. Proper screening of the carotid arteries for early prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are critical to reducing the risks of stroke.
In the United States, strokes are the third-leading cause of death, with the primary risk factor for these blockages, also known as atherosclerosis, being high cholesterol, smoking/tobacco use, uncontrolled blood pressure (hypertension), poorly managed diabetes, and a family history of stroke or heart disease.
During ultrasound screening, Dr. Schmetterer and our team will be able to identify areas of complication or concern and potentially recommend a surgical procedure to open up the blood flow in your carotid arteries to both lower the risk of stroke and improve any symptoms you may be having.
Lower Limb Revascularization
Doctors perform this procedure to treat peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition that affects over 200 million people. Yikes! That’s definitely not a fun fact. Doctors also perform this procedure for people with blood flow occlusion, which refers to a blockage or closing of the artery.
The procedure helps lessen pain and stops tissue from decaying due to PAD. It also restores blood flow to the legs and feet. Now, you are probably wondering what the procedure involves.
The doctor will perform a bypass, which means they will reroute the flow of blood around the blocked arteries in the leg. The doctor might sometimes use the patient’s own vein or an artificial bypass graft. This will restore blood flow to the patient’s leg or feet.
Endovascular Repair of Aortic Aneurysms
This procedure is to fix an aortic aneurysm, which is a big bulge in the aorta, the large artery that transports blood from the heart through the chest and torso. The doctor may perform the procedure if the aneurysm is at risk of bursting open or rupturing. If an aortic aneurysm is large and causes symptoms or is rapidly growing, it is at risk of rupturing.
We know this is a lot of information to take in and you’re wondering what does the procedure involve? Don’t stress, we’re here to put your mind at ease. The doctor may make one or two small incisions in the groin area and insert catheters into the arteries, which will cause the aorta to show up on an X-ray during the procedure.
During the procedure, Dr. Schmetterer and our team will use the catheters to move a tube called a stent graft, through the arteries until it reaches the aorta. They will then expand the graft inside the aneurysm. Next, they will attach the graft to the blood vessel.
Once the graft is in place, the doctor will remove the catheters and stitch the incision areas closed. When the procedure is complete, blood will flow through the stent graft in the aorta without putting pressure on the aneurysm. Are you feeling a bit calmer now?
Treatment of Varicose Veins
Doctors perform these procedures to ease symptoms of varicose veins, including pain and discomfort, and to treat complications such as swelling, discoloration, and leg ulcers.
During the procedure, the doctor will use general or local anesthesia to prevent the patient from feeling pain during the procedure. The doctor will then make a small incision and insert lase fiber or a catheter, depending on the procedure.
They will then activate a device with either EVLT or RFA to heat up the targeted vein and cause it to collapse. Additional procedures to remove varicose veins or to tie off the source of the varicose veins may be necessary. After the procedure, the patient will need to wear compression stockings and take regular walks. Get that blood flowing!
Limb Amputations
We know this might sound a bit scary, but doctors will only consider this as a last resort when other treatments have not worked. We will fill you in on all the necessary information on this procedure.
Why do doctors perform it? A patient may require a vascular-related amputation if they have an advanced case of PAD, which causes a build-up of plaque in the artery wall and results in a blockage of blood flow to the limb.
If a person has both PAD and diabetes, they are at an increased risk of amputation. That is why we can’t stress enough how important it is to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Unfortunately, sometimes amputation is the only cure for intractable pain caused by poor blood flow when all other attempts to restore blood flow have been unsuccessful.
Whether you’re struggling with pain and discomfort, varicose veins, or would just like to get checked out – you will be in the best hands with Dr. Lawrence Schmetterer.
Book Your Consultation For Vein Treatment in Ohio
Dr. Lawrence Schmetterer, M.D., F.A.C.S. is one of the most skilled and respected vascular surgeons in Youngstown and Warren, Ohio. He has over 34 years of experience as a physician and treats patients in Youngstown, Austintown, Boardman, and Salem, Ohio. Dr. Lawrence Schmetterer is famous for his expertise in treating thoracic, vascular, mediastinal, and other diseases, in addition to varicose and other forms of veins.
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