CARDIOVASCULAR | THORACIC/CHEST | OTHER VASCULAR | LIST OF PROCEDURES

Vascular Access for Dialysis

Patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) require dialysis.  Access for dialysis is best achieved through an arteriovenous fistula, a connection between a patient’s own vein and artery.  Fistulas are performed as a brief out patient procedure and take several weeks to “mature.”  Patients who receive dialysis through a fistula have fewer complications, such as blood clot formation and infection.

Placement of MediPorts and Central Lines

A wide variety of medical diagnoses can call for the placement of mediports and central lines.  Generally, mediports are placed in patients requiring long term access to a vein for the administration of medication, usually chemotherapy.  Central lines may be placed in patients requiring shorter term venous access, for example the harvesting of stem cells.  Mediports and central lines may be performed as brief out patient procedures.

Varicose Vein Treatment

Veins are blood vessels that return blood to the heart from other parts of the body.  Varicose veins are abnormally thick, enlarged, twisted vessels usually occurring in the legs.  They can be unsightly, but also can be associated with aching, leg fatigue and skin changes.  Varicose veins may be a result of age, obesity or pregnancy.

Dr. Pigott expects that he will be offering the endovenous laser therapy for the treatment of varicose veins by early summer 2009.  Patients with varicose veins usually have incompetent or leaky valves in a superficial vein in the leg.  The endovenous laser therapy involves a microincision in the leg and uses targeted laser energy to seal the vein shut.  This procedure is performed as an out-patient in less than one hour.  Usually, patients return to normal activity immediately.