Vascular Surgery
The Regional Vascular Surgery Program at Guelph General Hospital offers diagnosis, treatment and management of disease affecting the blood vessels of the patients (arteries and veins).
Atherosclerosis is a disease affecting all the arteries of the human body, leading to hardening and narrowing of the arteries through build up of plaque made out of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other material. Over time the plaque can narrow the arteries limiting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the organs and other parts of the body. Possible complications of atherosclerosis are heart attack, stroke, severe leg pain with walking, amputation of toes, limbs and possible death.
Our specialized vascular team includes five vascular surgeons and one clinical nurse practitioner as well as a number of registered nurses and radiologists help treat patients with a variety of vascular diseases.
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An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlarged area in the lower part of the major vessel that supplies blood to the body (aorta). It runs from your heart through the centre of your chest and abdomen. The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body so a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm can cause life-threatening bleeding.
Depending on the size of the aneurysm and how fast it's growing, treatment varies from watchful waiting to emergency surgery. Our surgeons offer treatment with minimally invasive (EVAR: Endovascular aneurysm repair) or with open abdominal surgery.
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These are the two main arteries in the neck supplying blood to the brain. Diseased carotid arteries can cause small clots to form and break off travelling to the brain causing a minor or major stroke.
Our surgeons are experienced in operating on the carotid arteries to prevent or treat patients with stroke.
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Our program supports the regional dialysis program at Grand River Hospital by operating on patient whose kidneys have failed to facilitate hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
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Peripheral Arterial Disease or PAD affects the arteries the lower extremities causing when severe, pain to the muscles of the leg with walking. Most people who have PAD do not have any symptoms; this is why it is under diagnosed.
Our surgeons can treat patients with minimally invasive interventions (angioplasty) or surgery (bypass) when needed.
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Varicose veins are relatively common condition. They are superficial veins that have become enlarged and twisted presenting as bulging, bluish cords running under the skin of the legs.
Our surgeons are experienced in treating varicose veins with open surgery or minimally invasive procedures.
