Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (or AAA) is an enlarging or bulging area in the wall of the abdominal aorta, which is the largest artery in the body. The larger the aneurysm becomes, the greater the risk of rupture or death. The most common location of an aneurysm is the abdominal aorta, which is the segment of the abdominal aorta below the kidneys. An abdominal aneurysm located below the kidneys is called an infrarenal aortic aneurysm.    

Carotid artery disease occurs when the carotid arteries, which are the main blood vessels that provide blood to the brain, become narrowed. Blockage in the carotid artery can lead to stroke or death. Carotid artery disease is similar to coronary artery disease, in which blockages occur in the arteries of the heart, and may cause a heart attack. 

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot develops in a vein deep in the body. While these clots most often develop in the lower legs or thighs, they may appear in the upper body, such as the arms or other locations in the body. Deep vein thrombosis can pose a serious threat to health. Pieces of a clot can break off and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism and can be fatal soon after it occurs. Deep vein thrombosis can also block blood flow in the veins, causing the blood to pool. This can cause swelling, pain, and permanent damage to the leg called post-thrombolic syndrome.

Hemodialysis is a treatment that removes wastes and extra fluid from your blood when your own kidneys have failed. Before hemodialysis can be done, a connection must be made to the blood inside your blood vessels. Your hemodialysis access, or vascular access, is a way to reach your blood for hemodialysis. The access allows your blood to travel through soft tubes to the dialysis machine where it is cleaned as it passes through a special filter, called a dialyzer. 

Lower leg peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition that develops when the arteries in the legs and feet become narrowed, or occluded, by an accumulation of a fatty substance called plaque, which builds up on the inside walls of the arteries. This vessel blockage condition is also called stenosis. As the arteries narrow, blood supply to the muscles and tissues in the legs and feet decreases, causing pain, poor healing, and in severe cases tissue death. Lower extremity arterial disease is one manifestation of atherosclerosis, the hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to plaque build-up. Atherosclerosis affects as many as 35 percent of Americans. People with lower extremity arterial disease often have other cardiovascular problems causes by atherosclerosis such as carotid artery disease and heart disease. 

Varicose veins are enlarged veins that are visible through the skin and may appear as blue or purple twisted, knot-like cords. Varicose veins can occur anywhere in the body, but are more commonly found on the legs.  Severe varicose veins may eventually produce long-term mild swelling that can result in more serious skin and tissue problems, such as ulcers and nonhealing sores. Patients with varicose veins may experience symptoms including leg pain, leg swelling, tly. Symptoms may include color changes in the skin, sores on the legs, skin rash, or abnormal sensations in the legs (i.e., heavy feeling, burning, and/or aching).