Dedicated to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Disease

Vascular disease - approximately 15 million Americans suffer with this problem and more than one-half have no symptoms. That is why it is so important to diagnose these conditions accurately and early in the course of the disease. Vascular disease involves a group of disorders that affect the arteries of the body, causing them to become narrowed or clogged, and slowing or stopping blood flow. Many of these diseases can cause discomfort, long-term disability, amputations, and in some cases - even death. Furthermore, gone untreated, vascular disease can lead to stroke, ruptured blood vessels, heart attacks, blood clots, kidney failure and results in approximately 100,000 amputations each year.

With these statistics in mind, the Vascular Center at Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center was created. We concentrate on providing only the highest level of care, focused on evaluating, diagnosing, treating, but most of all preventing vascular disease. Our multidisciplinary team of vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, cardiologists, technologists, and nurses is dedicated to working together to provide comprehensive care for the total health needs of individuals with vascular disease. Our team recognizes that the best clinicians still know that compassion and the ability to listen are as important to good health as medical skills.

We offer:

1. A Coordinated Approach: Because we collaborate and coordinate care with the patient's primary physician, our vascular team concentrates on assessing the cause of the problem and developing a treatment plan in consult with the patients primary medical doctor.

2. Comprehensive Diagnostics: Our state-of-the art and nationally certified vascular diagnostic center is home to the diagnostic equipment, skilled technologists, and experts in vascular testing. We recognize that diagnostics play an important role in the early detection and treatment of disease.

3. Interventional (Treatment) Procedures: Our interventional team, made up of radiologists, cardiologists, and vascular surgeons is available to provide both diagnostic and therapeutic care. By using sophisticated, state-of-the-art X-ray and other imaging devices our team is able to perform arteriogram/aortogram procedures, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (balloon procedures), intervascular stenting, atherectomy, and thrombolysis thereby decreasing the need for invasive surgery.

Additionally, our patients have access to DePaul's Wound Care Hyperbaric Oxygen Center. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a means of delivering high doses of oxygen to the body. Breathing pure, pressurized oxygen allows more oxygen to be carried through the bloodstream to injured tissues, stimulating the healing process.

4. Vascular Surgery: At times, the best approach is using state-of-the art surgical interventions. Our vascular surgeons are board certified, credentialed, and are known as experts in their field. It is through our affiliation with this surgical team that DePaul is able to provide our patients with the all the necessary resources to successfully overcome vascular disease and resume a normal, healthy lifestyle.

5. Outreach, Education and Prevention: DePaul also provides community-based education that offers healthy lifestyle programs designed especially for individuals a risk. In addition to providing community stroke screenings, and community lectures on topics such as, "Pain When You Walk," DePaul is also involved in the "Legs for Life" program. This national screening program is dedicated to identifying peripheral vascular disease and educating the public about prevention and treatment options. Additionally, through our affiliation with the Tobacco Centers for America, we offer smokers an opportunity to kick the habit - for good. Our smoking cessation program is a comprehensive, medical model that employs behavioral modification, nicotine replacement, and group counseling.

For more information about the Vascular Center at DePaul call 889-5990.