Treatments
Balloon dilatation with placement of a stent
A balloon dilatation is a commonly used (endovascular) procedure to treat narrowed and blocked blood vessels (usually arteries). A balloon dilatation is also called a Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA).
Removing the calcium layer (endarterectomy)
An endarterectomy is a traditional operation in which the doctor treats the narrowed blood vessel by cutting away the inside layer of the vessel wall together with the calcium layer or plaque.
Bypass
Endovascular treatment is the preferred approach to problems in arteries. If an endovascular technique is not possible, a bypass is an alternative. An operation to create a bridge across an artery is often called a bypass. A bypass is a diversion around an artery that is narrowed or blocked.
Endovascular treatment of an aneurysm or torn artery (placement of a stent or endoprosthesis)
During placement of a stent the doctor inserts a non-permeable stent via the arteries in your groin and fixes this in the centre of the aneurysm or dissection. This allows the blood to flow through the stent. The stent strengthens the wall of the artery so the risk of a rupture or dissection in the artery is reduced.
Traditional (open) treatment of an aneurysm or arterial dissection
Traditional open treatment requires cutting open the abdominal wall, exposing the aneurysm or dissection, clamping off this important artery and its side branches, and then suturing a synthetic woven prosthesis into place to restore continuity.
Robotic surgery (Dunbar Syndrome)
Robotic surgery is used to release and cut the ligaments that are pressing against the arteries to the intestines. This allows enough blood to flow to the intestines again.