Vascular care in Kansas City

The board-certified physicians at the HCA Midwest Health Heart and Vascular Institute offer comprehensive care for the most complex vascular problems. We use state-of-the-art technology, the latest research and minimally invasive techniques to provide the best possible outcomes. As part of our vascular services, we also offer four vein clinics throughout Kansas City that offer treatments for chronic venous insufficiency—a condition in which the vein valve system is not functioning correctly—as well as varicose veins.

Because our vein specialists are trained in vascular disease, they can take a thorough approach to evaluation that lets them identify the true cause of your symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan.

We use state-of-the-art technology, the latest research and minimally invasive techniques, including interventional radiology, to provide the best possible outcomes. And with multiple locations around the Kansas City area, you won't have to travel far to get the relief you need.

To talk with one of our vascular surgeons, schedule an appointment.

Vascular disease treatment you can trust

If you require treatment for a vascular condition, you can count on our specialists to deliver the treatment you need. With access to dedicated vascular services, our patients benefit from:

  • An individualized care plan created by our vascular specialists who tailor treatments to each patient based on their unique pathology for the best possible outcomes.
  • A team approach to treating complex vascular conditions, with vascular surgeons and specialists teaming up to perform complex procedures and expedite care for faster, safer treatment.
  • A multidisciplinary approach to care with a team consisting of vascular surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, interventional cardiologists, cardiologists, registered nurses and technicians who work together to develop individualized treatment plans for every patient.
  • Experienced physicians providing peace of mind—one of the many reasons more people in Kansas City choose HCA Midwest for expertise in vascular surgery.
  • Four vein clinics throughout the Kansas City area staffed by vein specialists who not only specialize in vein disease but are also trained in vascular disease. They take a thorough approach to evaluation that lets them identify the true cause of symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan.
  • Leading-edge treatments in vascular care, using lifesaving therapies, minimally invasive endovascular approaches that offer a shorter recovery time and open surgical procedures not widely available at other facilities.

Meet our vascular surgeons

Learn more about our vascular surgery specialists:

Vascular surgery treatment

The vascular surgeons at the HCA Midwest Health Heart and Vascular Institute offer the most cutting-edge technology and minimally invasive procedures available, including:

Aortic aneurysm surgery

Aortic aneurysms are bulges in the wall of the aorta. Aortic dissections (tears) and ruptures can be fatal.

You will need to undergo a surgical procedure for all symptomatic abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms. For aneurysms without symptoms, surgery isn't recommended until they are at risk of rupturing or until other complications outweigh the risk of surgery.

Thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs can be done via open surgery or a minimally invasive endovascular procedure. During an endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), a small incision is made in the groin and a catheter is guided up to the aneurysm where a stent graft is deployed to reinforce and seal off the area so that blood can flow without risking rupture.

Fenestrated graft for difficult abdominal aortic aneurysm

With endovascular aortic aneurysm repairs, the surgeon places a stent below the kidney arteries. For the graft to seal, there needs to be about 1 centimeter of the normal aorta. However, about 10 percent of aneurysms are too close to the kidney arteries to use this approach. Until recently, open surgery or no surgery was the only option for these patients.

At HCA Midwest Health, we will custom build a graft based on your unique anatomy. This custom graft has holes or fenestrations that line up with the renal arteries. This allows the graft to seal without shutting off the blood supply to the kidneys. Using this minimally invasive approach, we can treat difficult aortic aneurysms, which may result in a shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery.

Vascular surgery for carotid artery disease

The carotid artery carries blood through the neck and into the brain. Carotid disease is when plaque builds up inside the carotid artery. It can block blood flow to the brain and is one of the leading causes of a cerebrovascular accident (stroke)—up to 40 percent of all strokes. Surgery to clean out the artery may be recommended for people with or without symptoms.

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA)

Carotid endarterectomy is a surgery used to treat carotid artery disease. A vascular surgeon makes an incision in the neck and removes the plaque clogging the artery. CEA is a standard treatment for carotid artery disease due to the low procedural stroke risk.

After the procedure, most patients recover in the hospital for one to two nights. You may need to limit physical activity for a week after surgery, and your neck may ache for up to two weeks.

Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR)

Transcarotid artery revascularization is a leading method of treating carotid artery disease. It's a clinically proven, minimally invasive alternative to surgery.

During a TCAR procedure, a vascular surgeon makes a small incision just above the collar bone to access the carotid artery. Then, a tube is inserted into the artery. Blood flow is temporarily reversed away from the brain, and any potential debris is collected in a filter. A stent is then put in place to stabilize the plaque against the wall of the artery and reduce the possibility of a stroke. In fact, TCAR has the lowest risk of stroke among carotid stenting procedures.

Patients who undergo this procedure usually stay in the hospital overnight for monitoring. There is virtually no recovery period, as you are able to resume your normal activities right away.

Surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome can cause chronic pain in your shoulder, arm, neck and head. This occurs when nerves, arteries or veins just below your neck are compressed. A vascular surgeon decompresses the thoracic outlet by removing the first rib, one of the neck muscles and some scar tissue.

It is common to stay in the hospital for two nights after this procedure. You'll need to limit physical activity for four to six weeks after surgery. Physical therapy will be needed, and it can take up to a year to fully recover. For most people, symptoms are immediately resolved.

Treatment for peripheral vascular disease (PVD)

Plaque buildup can cause poor circulation in your feet or legs. Early treatment is essential to reduce your risk of amputation. If lifestyle changes and medications are not enough, our vascular surgeons offer minimally invasive endovascular (inside the blood vessel) approaches to treating PVD, such as:

  • Balloon angioplasty—A small balloon is used to open the narrowed artery.
  • Stenting–A small mesh tube is used to hold the artery open.
  • Laser atherectomy–A tiny laser is used through a catheter to remove plaque.

Open surgical procedures may also be used when endovascular procedures are not an option.

  • Peripheral artery bypass–The surgeon places a plastic tube or uses a blood vessel to reroute the blockage's blood flow.
  • Endarterectomy–This type of surgery removes plaque from a blood vessel.

The Vein Clinic

The specialists at the Vein Clinic of the HCA Midwest Health Heart and Vascular Institute work with you to develop a treatment plan to get you back on your feet and enjoying life. Our experienced vascular surgeons and board-certified doctors are highly trained in cardiac care and skilled in diagnosing and treating vascular disease, affecting the superficial veins, deep veins and arteries.

Our locations that offer vein clinics:

Varicose vein treatment options

Varicose veins are caused by the breakdown of the valve system in veins close to the skin. This breakdown doesn’t allow blood to travel back to the heart and causes blood to pool in the lower legs. The increased volume of blood and pressure of that blood can cause pain.

Varicose veins aren't just a cosmetic concern. Vein disease is significantly underdiagnosed and, in many cases, can come with health issues that affect your quality of life. Most people with lifestyle-limiting symptoms can see improvement through evaluation and care from a doctor trained and skilled in vein treatment.

Compression stockings

This is a first-line, noninvasive treatment used to apply pressure to the legs and improve blood flow. Some insurance companies may require three to nine months of use before covering any minimally invasive treatment.

Medical adhesive vein closure

In this low-risk, catheter-based procedure, the surgeon uses ultrasound guidance and glue to close the problematic vein. Your vein specialist will numb a small area slightly below the knee and insert a catheter into your vein. The adhesive is applied inside the vein, and the vein is pressed from the outside to glue it shut. This procedure offers reduced discomfort and recovery time in comparison to other vein closure procedures.

Venous ablation

There are two types of venous ablation: radiofrequency ablation and laser ablation. In radiofrequency venous ablation, problematic veins are closed from the inside using microwave-type energy and ultrasound guidance. Laser venous ablation is performed the same way but uses laser energy to seal the vein.

Venous ablation is a low-risk outpatient procedure performed using a local anesthetic. The procedure can take about an hour. Most patients have significant improvement in their symptoms within a week, but many have substantial improvements within a couple of days.

The procedure can improve symptoms such as pain, swelling, aching, heaviness, fatigue, prominence of varicosities and sometimes improve neurologic symptoms (such as restless leg) if there was a venous trigger.

Varicose vein removal

Vein surgery is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure used to remove varicose veins. A local anesthetic is administered, and your vein surgeon will make very tiny incisions to remove the troublesome vein. The surgery takes about an hour.

In most cases, patients can return to normal activity immediately after treatment. Strenuous activity should be avoided, but walking is encouraged to assist with the movement of blood. There is virtually no scarring and results can be seen almost immediately after treatment.

Stages of development of vericose: spider veins, reticular vericose veins, vericose veins trunk, chronic venous insufficiency, trophic ulcers

How do you prevent varicose veins?

While family history has a lot to do with whether you develop varicose veins, there are some things you can do to help prevent or slow the development of the venous disease.

  • Exercise! It can help pump venous blood out of the legs. People who exercise regularly may experience fewer venous symptoms.
  • Avoid lifting heavy things.
  • Avoid prolonged standing or sitting.
  • Avoid smoking.
  • Knee surgeries or leg trauma can sometimes contribute to the development of chronic venous disease.

Other conditions we treat

At HCA Midwest Health, we treat other vascular conditions that patients may have, including:

  • Claudication
  • Critical limb ischemia
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Fibromuscular dysplasia
  • May-Thurner syndrome
  • Nutcracker syndrome
  • Renal artery disease
  • Vertebral artery disease
  • Visceral artery disease