Procedures

Question 1

Carotid Endarterectomy

Answer 1

Cut down the side of the neck, the carotid artery is opened up, the thickened lining and atheroma is removed. The artery is then closed, often with a small patch to widen it slightly. A drain may be inserted and the wound closed.

Question 2

Below knee amputation (BKA)

Answer 2

Amputation performed roughly in the area between the ankle and the knee

Question 3

Angioplasty

Answer 3

Procedure using a special balloon to widen the narrowing artery to improve blood flow to the heart muscle

Question 4

Femoral popliteal (Fem-Pop) bypass

Answer 4

Procedure to treat femoral artery disease. Bypass the diseased blood vessels above the knee.

Blood is redirected through either a healthy blood vessel that has been transplanted or a man made graft material.

Question 5

Embolectomy

Answer 5

Emergency surgical removal of emboli which are blocking blood circulation

Question 6

EVAR - Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

Answer 6

A minimally invasive procedure that requires small incisions made in your groin to enable the surgeon to visualise your femoral arteries.
A stent graft is inserted via the femoral artery and advanced up into the aorta to the site of the aneurysm. The graft material may cover the stent. The stent helps to hold the graft open and in place. The aneurysm will eventually shrink down onto the stent graft.