Patient Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about vascular conditions, procedures, and appointments. This content is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Vascular surgery is a speciality that deals with diseases of the arteries and veins outside the heart and brain. Vascular surgeons diagnose and treat conditions such as blockages of the arteries in the legs, aneurysms, varicose veins, carotid artery disease, and problems with dialysis access. Modern vascular surgery uses both open surgical and minimally invasive (endovascular) techniques.
A referral from your general practitioner or physician is recommended so that relevant medical records and investigations can be forwarded in advance. However, you are welcome to contact the clinic directly for an appointment, and our team can advise you accordingly.
Please bring any previous investigation reports such as Doppler scans, CT scans, or angiograms; a list of your current medications; any referral letter from your doctor; and a summary of your medical history including previous operations. If you have diabetic foot photographs or wound records, please bring those too.
No. While many vascular conditions are more common with advancing age, vascular disease can affect people of all ages. Younger patients may present with conditions such as Buerger's disease, congenital vascular malformations, thoracic outlet syndrome, or complications of diabetes.
While many varicose veins are harmless, untreated veins can lead to complications such as superficial thrombophlebitis, skin changes, and venous leg ulcers.
New varicose veins can develop in untreated veins over time. However, properly treated veins do not recur.
Minimally invasive procedures are performed under local anaesthesia and are generally well tolerated.
Many diabetic foot ulcers can be healed with prompt, specialist treatment. The key is early intervention before infection or ischaemia becomes advanced.
A vascular surgeon assesses and treats the arterial blood supply to the foot. Restoring adequate circulation is often the critical step that allows wounds to heal and avoids amputation.
Claudication is the main symptom of PAD — leg muscle pain during exercise caused by inadequate blood supply.
PAD cannot be cured but can be effectively managed. Lifestyle changes and treatment significantly reduce symptoms and the risk of serious complications.
Small clots may partially resolve, but DVT requires anticoagulant treatment to prevent extension and embolisation.
Post-thrombotic syndrome is a long-term complication of DVT causing chronic leg swelling, pain, and skin changes. Early treatment and compression stockings help reduce its severity.
A TIA (transient ischaemic attack) causes stroke-like symptoms that resolve completely within 24 hours. Both require urgent assessment as a TIA is a warning sign of impending stroke.
Carotid artery disease is diagnosed using carotid Doppler ultrasound, CT angiography, or MR angiography.
In general, AAAs larger than 5.5 cm in diameter, or those growing rapidly or causing symptoms, are considered for repair.
Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive procedure where a stent-graft is inserted through small incisions in the groin to seal the aneurysm from inside the artery.
A well-created and cared-for AV fistula can function for many years, often for the duration of a patient's dialysis treatment.
A proportion of fistulas fail to mature adequately. Angioplasty of a stenosed segment can often salvage the fistula.
Endovascular procedures carry fewer risks than open surgery in most cases, including lower rates of wound complications, blood loss, and anaesthetic risk.
Most endovascular procedures are performed under local anaesthesia with sedation if needed. You will be comfortable and monitored throughout.
Not necessarily. With specialist assessment and timely revascularisation, a significant proportion of patients with CLI can have their limbs saved. Early referral is the key.
Bypass surgery typically takes two to four hours depending on complexity. Hospital stay is usually five to seven days.
Doppler ultrasound is a type of ultrasound that specifically measures and displays blood flow. A standard ultrasound shows anatomy; Doppler adds flow information.
For most peripheral vascular Doppler studies, no special preparation is required.
Arterial injuries are time-critical emergencies. Delays in reperfusion increase the risk of permanent limb loss. Immediate specialist assessment is essential.
Yes, arterial injuries can often be repaired using direct suture, patch repair, or bypass grafting.
Aortic Type A dissection is a surgical emergency requiring immediate intervention. Type B and peripheral dissections may be managed more selectively, but all require urgent specialist assessment.
An aneurysm is an abnormal widening of an artery. A dissection is a tear in the artery wall creating a false lumen. The two can coexist.
Some vascular malformations can be cured with complete excision or targeted sclerotherapy. Others require long-term management rather than cure.
No. Haemangiomas are vascular tumours that grow rapidly in infancy and typically involute over years. Vascular malformations are structural abnormalities present from birth that do not involute.
The information above is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical professional.
Have More Questions?
Speak directly with Dr. Pradip Abraham at Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi.