Vascular Surgery

An aortic abdominal aneurysm occurs when weakened walls of the aorta swell and budge. If left undetected or untreated, the aneurysm can rupture, which can be life threatening. St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center is one of the top performers in New York State for aortic abdominal aneurysm repairs.

Key treatments:

Surgical Repair. This is a traditional open abdominal surgery to replace the aneurysm with a graft. The procedure, which requires a large incision, is often the best option for larger or ruptured aneurysms.

Endovascular Repair. This is a catheter-based technique where a stent is inserted through the groin and placed in the area of the aneurysm. The stent protects the aorta and prevents the aneurysm from rupturing. This minimally invasive procedure usually takes less than 90 minutes. Compared to traditional surgery, endovascular repair results in less exposure to X-rays, less blood loss, shorter hospitalization and faster recovery.

St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® was one of the first hospitals in the country to perform endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms.

Carotid arteries carry blood to the brain. A blockage happens when there’s a buildup of plaque, or fatty deposits, that narrow or block the arteries. This can lead to a stroke.

Key treatments include:

Carotid Endarterectomy. With this traditional surgical procedure, the surgeon makes an incision to remove the plaque from blocked carotid arteries. The surgery poses a relatively low risk of stroke when performed by an experienced team. St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® does more carotid endarterectomies than any other facility in New York State.

Carotid Artery Stenting. A wire mesh coil is inserted through a catheter to open blocked carotid arteries. This is an alternative to carotid endarterectomy. St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® was the first hospital on Long Island to perform this less invasive technique.

Physicians perform diagnostic peripheral vascular studies and interventional therapies using digital imaging technology. Treatments include angioplasty techniques to open up the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys, legs or arms.