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Vascular Disease

Our vascular team includes both endovascular interventional cardiologists and vascular surgeons. Our vascular team works with patients to identify the treatment plan that is right for their condition and needs.

Computerized image of the human heart

Vascular disease refers to a broad category of conditions that affect the blood vessels, which include arteries and veins.

Blood vessels are responsible for transporting blood throughout the body, supplying tissues with oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products. 

When the blood vessels are damaged, narrowed, blocked, or weakened, it can lead to a variety of symptoms and complications depending on the type of vessel involved and the area of the body affected.

Types of Vascular Disease

PAD occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the limbs (usually the legs) become narrowed or blocked due to the buildup of plaque (atherosclerosis). This reduces blood flow, causing pain, cramping, and in severe cases, tissue damage or gangrene. 
  • Symptoms: Leg pain or cramping (claudication), particularly during physical activity; numbness or weakness in the legs; wounds or sores that don't heal; pale or shiny skin on the legs.
An aneurysm is an abnormal enlargement of an artery due to a weakening of the artery's wall. Aneurysms can occur in any blood vessel, but they are most commonly found in the aorta (the main artery of the body). 
  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): An aneurysm in the part of the aorta that runs through the abdomen.
  • Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA): An aneurysm in the part of the aorta that runs through the chest.
    • Symptoms: Generally, without symptoms, but they can be life-threatening if weakened to the point of rupture. Large or ruptured aneurysms can cause severe pain, shock, and internal bleeding. For an aortic aneurysm, symptoms may include back or abdominal pain.
Plaque build-up or the narrowing of the carotid arteries (located in the neck) is known as carotid artery disease. This reduces blood flow to the brain and increases the risk of a stroke.
  • Symptoms: Often asymptomatic until a stroke occurs. When symptoms do appear, they may include sudden dizziness, blurred vision, or difficulty speaking (symptoms of a transient ischemic attack or TIA, also called a "mini-stroke").
DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, typically in the legs. If the clot breaks loose, it can travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism, which can be life-threatening. 
  • Symptoms: Swelling, pain, and redness in one leg; warmth around the clot; sometimes no symptoms at all.
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when the veins in the legs cannot pump blood back to the heart effectively, often due to damaged valves. This results in blood pooling in the legs, causing swelling, skin changes, and in severe cases, ulcers.
  • Symptoms: Swelling in the legs, pain, varicose veins, skin discoloration, and open sores or ulcers on the legs.
Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that are most commonly found in the legs. They occur when the veins' valves, which help blood flow toward the heart, become weakened or damaged, causing blood to pool in the veins.
  • Symptoms: Visible, bulging veins; aching, heavy legs; swollen feet and ankles; cramps; skin changes in the affected area.

Risk Factors for Vascular Disease

  • Aging: The risk of developing vascular disease increases with age
  • Diabetes
  • Family history / genetics
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • High cholesterol
  • Obesity
  • Physical inactivity
  • Smoking
  • Unhealthy diet

Management of Vascular Disease

Early diagnosis, lifestyle changes and drug therapy can help manage vascular diseases and prevent severe outcomes. When these approaches are insufficient, minimally invasive procedures and surgical procedures can be beneficial. 

The treatment of vascular disease can vary widely depending on the type and severity of the condition. 

While some can be managed with lifestyle changes, medications, or minimally invasive treatments (like angioplasty or laser therapy), others may require more extensive surgery (such as bypass surgery or aneurysm repair). The goal of these procedures is to improve blood flow, reduce symptoms, prevent complications (such as heart attack or stroke), and improve quality of life. 

When it comes to the complexity of vascular diseases, it’s essential that patients receive care that’s both precise and customized. 

The team of vascular specialists at Prairie Cardiovascular, including endovascular interventional cardiologists and vascular surgeons, provides combines unparalleled expertise with advanced treatments for the full spectrum of vascular care for routine and complex vascular conditions and diseases. 

Treatment Options

Innovative treatments offered by our vascular team include:

  • Angioplasty: A balloon is used to open blocked arteries, often followed by a stent placement. 
  • Laser Angioplasty: A laser fiber is passed through a catheter to the site of the blockage. The laser vaporizes the plaque or clot, restoring blood flow.
  • Bypass surgery: A healthy blood vessel from another part of the body (such as the leg or chest) is grafted to create a detour around the blocked area. 
  • Endarterectomy: The surgeon makes an incision in the affected artery, removes the plaque, and then stitches the artery back together.
  • Aneurysm Repair: 
    • Open Surgery: A large incision is made to access the aneurysm, and the weakened section of the artery is replaced with a synthetic graft.
    • Endovascular Repair:A minimally invasive approach where a stent-graft is inserted through a catheter into the artery, typically through the groin, to reinforce the aneurysm without the need for large incisions. 

      • Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) involves the placement of a stent-graft inside the thoracic aorta to reinforce the weakened or damaged section of the artery. 

      • Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR), a minimally invasive procedure used to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms and sometimes iliac artery aneurysms 

      • Percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair (PEVAR).

      • Fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR).

      • Trans-carotid stenting (TCAR).

  • Thrombectomy: A catheter is inserted into the vein or artery and is used to remove or break up the clot. Sometimes clot-dissolving medications are used in conjunction with this procedure.
  • Endovenous Laser therapy: A laser fiber is inserted into the affected vein, and laser energy is used to seal the vein shut. Over time, the vein collapses and is absorbed by the body.
  • Sclerotherapy: A solution is injected into the vein, causing it to collapse and eventually fade away.

Main Locations

Prairie Cardiovascular - Springfield

619 E. Mason St. Springfield, IL 62701

By Appointment Only

Details 217-788-0706

Prairie Cardiovascular - O'Fallon

Three St. Elizabeth's Blvd., Suite 2800 O'Fallon, IL 62269

By Appointment Only

Details 618-233-6044

Prairie Cardiovascular - Carbondale

409 West Oak St. Carbondale, IL 62901

Mon - Fri: 8 am - 4:30 pm

Details 618-529-4455

Prairie Cardiovascular - Decatur

1800 E. Lake Shore Dr. Decatur, IL 62521

By Appointment Only

Details 217-422-6100

Prairie Cardiovascular - Effingham

503 N. Maple Effingham, IL 62401

Mon - Fri: 8 am - 4:30 pm

Details 217-342-3700

Outreach Locations

To better serve our Prairie Cardiovascular patients, Prairie has 25 outreach locations for follow-up and routine visits.

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