Vascular and Interventional Centre was established to provide the highest caliber specialist care for vascular conditions such as peripheral arterial disease. Using cutting-edge techniques and an individualized approach, our mission is to ensure every patient is given the best chance of improved health and clinical outcomes. Medical technology has rapidly evolved over the last twenty years, and with it, so too have patient outcomes. Diseases that were once considered serious are now being actively managed, if not cured, in some patients. The introduction of newer imaging, magnetic resonance, and genome sequencing is changing the way medicine is practiced on a daily basis, with conditions being diagnosed much earlier due to more sensitive tests and scientific knowledge changing the attitudes toward how diseases are treated, with personalized treatment now king. Based in Singapore, our committed team approach is providing patients with cutting-edge vascular surgical and radiological expertise. We understand that knowledge fosters a healthy partnership between the medical professional and the patient. In addition, Vascular and Interventional Centre is passionate about driving awareness and taking action on a global issue affecting both men and women. If left untreated, vascular conditions will result in morbidity, in which risk factors and primary prevention are not initially prioritized until the patient is at the emergency door. Heart attacks, strokes, aneurysms, thrombosis, blood clots, and vascular disease that leads to amputations are debilitating conditions and come at a significant cost to the individual patient, caregivers, the family unit, the government, and ultimately the country’s GDP.
Using a patient-centered approach, we understand the concerns and anxiety that come with many of our treatments. Our staff will make every effort to ensure your treatment is done in a timely and efficient manner, addressing your medical concerns. It is with a collaborative approach that we manage difficult and complex medical decisions. These often involve varied radiological and surgical expertise and knowledge. Vascular and Interventional Centre provides comprehensive and professional vascular and endovascular care to ensure the best outcome for our patients. We offer experienced teamwork that combines procedural approaches to care, both surgical and radiological. We are dedicated to minimally invasive delivery of quality vascular healthcare in the region, ensuring respectful treatment for all our patients.
Overview of Minimally Invasive Procedures
Minimally invasive therapy refers to procedural care developed in other medical fields, adopted by vascular surgeons to decrease postoperative recovery and pain. A smaller incision decreases blood loss, reduces recovery time, and the possibility of postoperative infection. The principle is that interventional procedures will increase the accuracy and effectiveness of treatment actions through real-time monitoring. Vascular surgery by keyhole incision and medical interventional therapy has become the best treatment for vascular diseases. Minimally invasive procedures to treat a myriad of vascular conditions are gaining widespread acceptance and preference. These procedures utilize imaging modalities to visualize vessel abnormalities. They may replace or complement traditional surgical methods. The Vascular and Interventional Centre offers treatments for peripheral artery disease in Singapore.
Typically referred to as catheter-based treatment courses, minimally invasive procedures provide individuals with benefits such as less discomfort and significantly faster recovery times. They are safe procedures because they do not require actual surgery to take place. Minimally invasive procedures often allow patients to return home after treatment. These are some of the best procedures for people who want to address a vascular disease or condition and play an essential part in enhancing patient outcomes and satisfaction. The development of minimally invasive procedures has revolutionized the treatment of vascular conditions. Shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery periods have replaced the conventional open incision and significant hospital recovery time. Among the traditional vascular surgeries practiced, minimally invasive procedures now comprehensively treat vascular disease.
Understanding Vascular Conditions
The vascular system, in conjunction with the heart, is responsible for the flow of oxygen and essential nutrients to various organs, tissues, muscles, and extremities. Understanding the anatomy and physiology of this significant network is crucial for the diagnosis of the diseases that result from the circulation. Various levels of dysfunction in vascular anatomy or physiology can lead to a myriad of vascular diseases. These diseases are often associated with several risk factors such as smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and genetics. Vascular conditions are often asymptomatic during early stages and, as such, go undiagnosed and untreated. Without early intervention, these silent diseases can progress and result in severe and life-altering complications including limb loss, end-stage renal disease, stroke, and aneurysm rupture. Recognition of the multiple factors leading to these diseases is of great concern and will be the subject of ongoing research.
Given the impact of vascular pathology on an individual’s life, it is incumbent upon everyone to become more educated about the subject and to share such education with those in contact with the population who may benefit. Vascular diseases often coexist with other systemic diseases; therefore, vascular health is a significant part of overall health and well-being. For clinical purposes, following this educational section, other areas such as Peripheral Arterial Disease are also available for your further understanding of vascular conditions and treatments. Moreover, the potential that one may be suffering from a vascular disease highlights the necessity for a thorough interview of every new patient in a clinical examination. This beginning discussion on vascular conditions was designed to allow the health care professional to have an overview of the vascular conditions; common vascular diseases will be the subject of a more detailed discussion.
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
Peripheral Vascular Disease is one of the most common vascular diseases encountered and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although it usually affects older people, it remains underdiagnosed despite early diagnosis and management, avoiding serious morbidity associated with late-presented cases. Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of PAD and predominantly affects the lower limbs. Commonly, patients may not notice problems with their lower limb circulation until they develop symptoms when the condition is severe. There are various reasons that blood supply to the lower limbs can be compromised, and the pathophysiology behind this mainly relates to atherosclerosis and the progression of vascular chronic inflammatory disease. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory vascular condition caused by cholesterol and various other substances being deposited within the arteries. The cholesterol forms plaque, which narrows the blood vessels, leading to poor oxygenated blood supply to organs and tissues. When the process of arterial plaque formation develops over a period of years, the blood vessels enlarge to accommodate the amount of plaque that is there. Despite plaque enlargement, the artery doesn’t increase proportionally to its original size and gradually becomes narrowed and stiff through the enlarging plaque. As the plaque develops, insufficient blood to feed the organs beyond results in ischaemia. The reduced oxygen delivery to the tissue causes a lack of nutrition and oxygen, leading to pain. If severe ischaemia occurs, the tissue can be threatened with dying, and this can cause an infection leading to tissue breakdown. Patients may subsequently suffer either a toe or limb amputation if this becomes severe. Although this is more often a chronic condition, it is definitively not benign, with a significant impact on quality of life.
Services Offered at Vascular and Interventional Centre
The Vascular and Interventional Centre offers a wide range of services aimed at the treatment of various vascular conditions. These services include diagnosis through the most advanced imaging techniques, minimally invasive interventions including complex arterial and venous disease management, and comprehensive patient follow-up sessions. Following diagnosis and treatments, patients will be provided with information on their vascular health and ways to maintain good vascular health. All treatments are designed to meet the specific needs and preferences of individual patients and are usually done on a day-care basis or with overnight stays. Most patients are assessed and treated by a multi-disciplinary team which includes interventions, nurses, allied health professionals, research nurses, radiology staff, and administrative staff. All of our services have been designed based on current evidence and best vascular care practices. The Centre is also committed to research and developing new, innovative techniques for the benefit of all our patients. Our current service offering includes diagnostic arterial and venous imaging, minimally invasive interventional procedures for arterial and venous disease, education and follow-up as well as a robust research program that ensures we are at the very forefront of vascular treatment options for our patients.
Treatment Options for Peripheral Vascular Disease
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PAD or PVD) refers to diseases of the blood vessels that result in obstructive changes, causing either increased or reduced flow of blood to the extremities. There are two main approaches to treating PVD: non-invasively or invasively. Indications for treating PVD non-invasively include mild to moderate disease with few symptoms and non-emergent conditions. The goal of non-invasive therapies is to improve symptoms and the effectiveness of walking. Treatment options include management of acute limb ischemia, management of underlying risk factors to prevent disease progression, and medication treatment that aims to reduce clot formation and relax the blood vessels to promote blood flow to the affected limb. This medication alone will not open the clogged arteries but may prevent the arteries from getting any worse and relax the blood vessels to encourage blood flow through them.
A variety of procedural treatments can be used in treating PVD. Minimally invasive or non-surgical options are used most frequently due to their effectiveness, safety, and minimal recovery time, and these will be reviewed in detail. Endovascular therapies include angioplasty and stenting. Surgical bypass of the clogged artery involves either using a small vein from a different part of the body or a synthetic plastic tube to bypass the clogged artery, allowing blood to flow past the blockage. Performing an endarterectomy involves surgically making a cut into the clogged arteries and removing the fatty plaque buildup, reducing the chance of recurrent blockage. Overall, the treatment for PVD involves a wide range of options that must be specifically tailored for every single patient to effectively control their disease and promote overall health.
