Coronary artery disease occurs when arteries around the heart become blocked or narrowed. It is a major cause of heart attacks and heart failure. Similarly, when arteries that carry blood to the legs, arms, neck or abdomen become blocked or narrowed, life- or limb-threatening peripheral vascular disease has set in.
The Conemaugh Health System is setting new standards throughout the area when it comes to diagnosing and treating this disease. It links our specially trained vascular team with comprehensive vascular services offered at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center. That means fully coordinated care for our patients, from preventive services all the way to the advanced technologies of our state-of-the-art vascular surgical suite.
Conemaugh Memorial's Vascular program has been ranked among the top five programs in Pennsylvania by HealthGrades, the nation's leading independent healthcare ratings organization.
Diagnosing Vascular Disease
To accurately diagnose vascular disease, your primary care physician or another specialist may request a non-invasive test. Many of these diagnostic tests are performed in our state-of-the-art non-invasive vascular laboratory at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center and can range from exercise stress tests to specialized ultrasounds that zero in on the blood vessels or arteries in the arms or legs.
Once the tests are complete, board certified vascular physicians interpret the results and report back to you or your doctor the same day. Last year, experienced technologists performed more than 15,000 diagnostic procedures.
The vascular laboratory has earned accreditation by the prestigious Intersocietal Commission on Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories. It is equipped with the latest technologies that can identify arterial problems in the legs, arms or abdominal area. Non-invasive diagnostic services include:
- Abdominal doppler studies
- Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)
- Aortic aneurysm exams
- Arterial exams of the arms and legs to diagnose and evaluate conditions such as blockage, blood clots, hardening of arteries and aneurysms
- Carotid artery exams
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) exams
- Hemodialysis graft evaluations and arterial graft surveillance after the graft is complete
- Raynaud's Syndrome studies
- Thoracic outlet studies
- Transcranial doppler studies of the brain
- Transcutaneous PO2 studies (TCPO2)
- Venous exams of the arms and legs to diagnose and evaluate conditions such as varicose veins, blood clots and venous reflux (incompetence)
For more information or to schedule a diagnostic vascular procedure, please call (814)534-9667. A physician’s order is required for all procedures.
Non-Surgical and Minimally Invasive Treatment Options
Vascular services at Conemaugh Health System are performed in our state-of-the-art vascular laboratory. Some venous procedures such as varicose vein removal and radiofrequency ablation can be performed in the physician office.
Specially trained, board certified vascular surgeons use miniaturized tools inserted through small blood vessels in the groin area, as well as extensive imaging equipment, to perform safe and effective minimally invasive treatments. These include balloon angioplasty and stent placement to improve blood flow. In some cases, minimally invasive treatment options eliminate the need for traditional open surgery. While not everyone is a candidate for minimally invasive options, the procedures can be easier for patients because they involve smaller incisions, less pain and discomfort, and a shorter hospital stay.
Vascular surgeries are performed in Conemaugh Memorial's state-of-the-art operating suite specifically designed to handle complex vascular surgery.
This dedicated vascular surgical suite is equipped with the latest technology, including image intensification and physiologic monitoring. Its technical capabilities allow our surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgical procedures, endovascular procedures and traditional surgery. If necessary, the suite can be converted to a traditional operating room at the flip of a switch during extensive, complicated endovascular surgeries. This saves valuable time and immediately provides the surgical team with the tools they need to safely complete the procedure.
Click here to view Patient Education information for the Vascular Lab