AboutLauri Ordway Expertise I can answer your questions related to peripheral vacular disorders. This includes all arteries and veins except those inside the head and inside the heart. IE: neck (carotid), arms (carotid subclavian bypases to Thoracic Outlet) belly (aortic aneurysm & occlusive disorders, renal artery stenosis), legs (iliac, femoral, popliteal, peroneal, dorasalis pedis, posterior and anterior tibial) arteries. Aneurysm & occlusive disease, atherosclerosis, leg pain, arterial wounds and gangrene, amputation prevention. Vein disorders: Blood Clots (DVT), post-phlebetic syndrome, varicose veins, venous stasis ulcers. I can help with vascular wound treatments. Also, Raynauds, Buerger`s disease, Thoracic Outlet and other miscellaneous vascular disorders.
I CANNOT answer questions about your heart disease, blood pressure, brain aneurysm, although I can help with questions about the arteries that go to and from those organs.
Experience I am a nurse, I have worked for 14 years with two terrific peripheral vascular surgeons, one of them is also the inventor of very innovative wound care products and surgical instruments to make vascular surgery procedures better and faster. I wrote and manage our clinic website and field questions from patients all over the world.
Question I'm scheduled for angiograms and possible stenting of the iliac and renal arteries on 5/28. My vascular surgeon said they are doing it in an operating room so they can go ahead and do the stenting if possible. I surmise that I'll be awake for the angiogram, but will they put me to sleep for the rest of the procedure? I am utterly petrified at the prospect of something poking around in my arteries, and if something goes wrong I'd rather not know. I'm 58, have smoked for 40 years, my mother had quadruple heart bypass in '77, carotid surgery in '80, and died in '85 as a result of an abdominal aneurysm that couldn't be repaired because there was no viable artery left. My BP has averaged 220/130 for the past 8 months and has not responded to medication. This surgery is scheduled as a result of a renal artery ultrasound with Doppler, and ultrasounds of my legs and carotids. My ability to walk has has deteriorated to the point where walking 50 feet causes extreme pain. But mostly, the thought of this surgery has me terrified.
Answer Hi, Most likely you will be sedated for the angio (this is commonly the way it is done) and then if they opt to do surgical intervention, you'll have general anesthesia because the area of interest is in the belly, an epidiral or spinal anesthesia will not "cover" the area. Most importantly though, I would suggest using some hypnosis or other techniques for seeking a calmer, more serene feeling towards surgery. You will (statisically speaking) do fine with this surgey and will feel and do much better afterwards, unless you continue to smoke. If you do not stop smoking, anything that they do will simply block off- usually in a matter of months, and you will be back to the same or worse condition. If you can stop smoking, even for a few (3 or more) days before surgery, your recovery will be much easier and the operation itself will be much easier on you.In the hands of an experienced vascular surgeon, this operation is most likley to go very well, I do not think you have anything to fear from the surgery itself. Your BP will improve before you even awaken from surgery, If however, you do not plan to stop smoking, it may not be worth going through the surgery at this time. Any sores on ankles, feet and legs will heal promptly. The onlother advice I have is to make sure that the angiogram looks at the aorta and the other vessels so that whatever needs to be done, can be done in the surgical period- of course this is going to depend entirely on YOUR specific problems and other dieease process... all of this cannot be considered anything other than general advice, the whole question is only nswered correctly by your surgeon, and you need to make an appointment to talk to hom about your concerns, I acnnot do anything other than advise in the most general of amanner. ASK YOUR PERSONAL SURGEON, more knowlege will make for an easier mind.Best of luck, Lauri
