Vascular Conditions & Symptoms — Sarasota & Bradenton, FL

An aortic aneurysm is a localized enlargement — bulge or dilation — of the aorta, the body’s largest artery, to a diameter 1.5 times or greater than its normal size. Aortic aneurysms are a potentially life-threatening condition because they grow silently and, if untreated, can rupture — causing massive internal hemorrhage with a mortality rate exceeding 80%. Elective repair, when performed before rupture, carries a dramatically lower risk.

Buerger’s disease — formally known as thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) — is a non-atherosclerotic, inflammatory occlusive disease of the small and medium arteries and veins of the hands and feet. It is strongly and almost exclusively associated with tobacco use and disproportionately affects young men who are heavy smokers. Unlike atherosclerosis, Buerger’s disease is potentially reversible — but only if tobacco use is completely and permanently stopped.

Carotid artery disease is atherosclerotic narrowing (stenosis) of the carotid arteries — the major arteries on each side of the neck that supply the brain with oxygenated blood. It is one of the most common and preventable causes of ischemic stroke, responsible for approximately 10–15% of all strokes in the United States. Early detection and treatment can reduce stroke risk by 50% or more.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot within the deep veins of the leg, thigh, or pelvis. DVT is a serious medical condition that can cause significant pain and swelling and carries the risk of pulmonary embolism — a potentially life-threatening complication where a clot travels to the lungs. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent long-term complications including post-thrombotic syndrome and chronic venous obstruction.

Lymphedema is a chronic condition characterized by abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the soft tissues, causing persistent swelling — most commonly of the arm or leg. It results from damage to or obstruction of the lymphatic system, which normally drains excess fluid from tissues back into the bloodstream. Lymphedema is a lifelong condition requiring ongoing management, but with proper care, most patients achieve excellent symptom control and maintain a high quality of life.

May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) — also called iliac vein compression syndrome — is an anatomical condition in which the right iliac artery compresses the left common iliac vein against the lumbar spine. This chronic compression causes scarring and narrowing of the vein, which restricts venous outflow from the left leg and significantly increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), chronic leg swelling, and pelvic venous congestion.

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a vascular compression disorder in which the median arcuate ligament — a fibrous arch connecting the diaphragm’s two crura — compresses the celiac artery as it exits the aorta. This compression reduces blood flow to the stomach, liver, spleen, and intestines, causing a characteristic pattern of upper abdominal pain worsened by eating, audible abdominal bruits, weight loss, and nausea.

Mesenteric ischemia is inadequate blood supply to the small intestine and other abdominal organs due to narrowing or blockage of the mesenteric arteries — the vessels branching from the aorta to supply the gut. It is a serious and underdiagnosed condition that causes severe postprandial (after-eating) abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss, and — in its acute form — intestinal infarction, which is a surgical emergency with a mortality rate exceeding 50%.

Paget-Schroetter syndrome, also called effort thrombosis or venous thoracic outlet syndrome, is deep vein thrombosis of the axillary-subclavian vein (the large vein draining the arm) caused by repetitive compression of the vein at the thoracic outlet. It primarily affects young, athletically active individuals — particularly overhead athletes such as swimmers, baseball pitchers, and weightlifters — and represents a surgical emergency if not treated promptly.

Pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) is a chronic pain condition caused by varicose veins within the pelvis — ovarian veins and pelvic veins that have become enlarged, twisted, and incompetent, allowing blood to pool in the pelvic region. It is one of the most underdiagnosed causes of chronic pelvic pain in women of reproductive age and is estimated to account for 30–40% of chronic pelvic pain cases.

Peripheral aneurysms are localized dilations of the arteries outside the aorta, most commonly occurring in the popliteal artery (behind the knee) and the femoral artery (in the groin/thigh). Unlike aortic aneurysms, peripheral aneurysms rarely rupture — their primary danger is thrombosis (clotting) and embolization (showering small clots distally), which can cause sudden leg ischemia, digital ischemia, and limb-threatening arterial occlusion.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a narrowing or blockage of the arteries supplying the legs and feet, caused by atherosclerosis — the buildup of fatty plaque within the artery walls. PAD affects approximately 8–10 million Americans and is a leading cause of leg pain, reduced walking ability, and limb-threatening wounds. PAD is also a major indicator of systemic cardiovascular disease, significantly elevating the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels that appear as red, blue, or purple web-like patterns just beneath the skin surface, most commonly on the legs, thighs, and face. They are caused by weakened vein walls and valve dysfunction, and while primarily a cosmetic concern, they can cause localized burning, itching, or aching — especially after standing. Treatment is safe, fast, and highly effective.

Splenic and renal artery stenosis refer to narrowings within the arteries supplying the spleen and kidneys, respectively. Renal artery stenosis is a significant and underrecognized cause of secondary hypertension and progressive kidney failure. Splenic artery disease may involve stenosis, aneurysm formation, or thrombosis. Both conditions benefit from vascular evaluation and, in selected patients, revascularization to restore blood flow and protect organ function.

Subclavian artery stenosis is a narrowing of the subclavian artery — the major vessel supplying the arm and, on the left side, a key contributor to the blood supply of the posterior brain via the vertebral artery. It is a relatively common manifestation of peripheral vascular disease that causes arm fatigue, exercise-related arm pain, a significant difference in blood pressure between the arms, and — in its most dramatic form — subclavian steal syndrome, in which blood is diverted from the brain to the arm causing posterior circulation symptoms including dizziness, vertigo, and visual disturbance.

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a group of conditions caused by compression of the nerves, arteries, or veins that pass through the thoracic outlet — the narrow space between the collarbone, first rib, and surrounding muscles where blood vessels and nerves travel from the neck into the arm. TOS causes arm pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and vascular symptoms ranging from arm swelling and discoloration to dangerous blood clots and arterial aneurysms.

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted, ropy veins that appear just beneath the skin surface, most commonly on the legs and feet. They develop when weakened or damaged vein valves allow blood to pool rather than flow efficiently back toward the heart. Affecting an estimated 23% of adults, varicose veins cause pain, heaviness, swelling, and skin changes that worsen without treatment.

Visceral artery aneurysms are abnormal dilations of the arteries supplying the abdominal organs — most commonly the splenic artery, followed by the hepatic, superior mesenteric, celiac, and renal arteries. While rare, visceral aneurysms carry a significant risk of spontaneous rupture, which can cause life-threatening hemorrhage. Early diagnosis and elective repair dramatically improve outcomes compared with emergency repair of a ruptured aneurysm.