What is arterial vascular surgery?
Arterial vascular surgery treats conditions affecting the arteries. These are the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. With the advent of minimally invasive, endovascular techniques – that is, procedures performed via a catheter inside the blood vessel – this specialist field has undergone fundamental changes in recent years. Open surgical techniques and catheter-based procedures can now be combined in a single operation. This allows us to tailor the procedure precisely to your diagnosis and any underlying conditions.
Arteriosclerosis: the most common cause
One of the most common conditions we treat in this way is arteriosclerosis – colloquially known as ‘hardening of the arteries’. It becomes more prevalent with age and is accelerated by risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and elevated blood lipid levels. The aim of treatment is to prevent secondary damage: a stroke, circulatory disorders affecting internal organs or the loss of limbs.
Your treatment pathway with us
We begin with a thorough assessment, usually involving ultrasound and imaging techniques. Based on this, we will discuss with you whether drug therapy, a catheter-based procedure or surgery is the right course of action. Following the procedure, we will support you during your aftercare and coordinate further treatment with your GP.
Why choose Zuger Kantonsspital?
Our vascular surgeons work closely within the hospital with the specialist teams in interventional radiology and angiology. We also collaborate closely with the nephrology and dialysis departments. This means that dialysis catheters, AV fistulas and shunt placements can usually be carried out on-site. For more extensive procedures requiring specialist centre logistics, we have a partnership with the Vascular Centre at Luzerner Kantonsspital, including permanent emergency cover.
