Endovascular Surgery is a form of minimally surgery that was designed to access many regions of the body via major blood vessels. These new techniques have revolutionized complex Vascular Surgery. These minimally-invasive techniques have lead to small or no incisions to repair arterial problems. Nowhere is this more evident than the repair of aortic aneurysms.

In September of 1999, the Food and Drug Administration approved two new devices for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm. This is the first new alternative for abdominal aortic aneurysms in forty years. An aortic aneurysm is a "ballooning" of the wall of the major artery leading from the heart. This weakening is usually due to arteriosclerotic build-up on the wall of the artery. Aortic aneurysms can eventually rupture resulting in 15,000 deaths annually. It is the 13th leading cause of death.

Conventional surgery to treat this condition typically requires a week stay in the hospital and 6 weeks of recovery. With the new FDA approved devices, surgery for aortic aneurysms can reduce the hospital stay to 1 or 2 days. Our Endovascular Aneurysm Program led by Dr. Michael Schwartz is proud to have been at the forefront of an elite group of institutions trained to provide this minimally invasive option for patients requiring aortic aneurysm surgery. We were one of the first true community practices in the northeast to offer this new technology and we are a referral center for Endovascular Aneurysm surgery for the Hudson Valley region and surrounding counties. Our Endovascular Surgeons are highly experienced and train other physicians in this new and exciting technique.

The "stent graft device" is inserted through an artery in the groin, which expands to fit and seal in the aorta. In contrast, conventional surgery is an open procedure, which requires a large abdominal incision. This procedure dramatically shortens the recovery from aortic aneurysm surgery. As this technique has matured over the years, there have been different devices developed to treat different types of aortic aneurysms. The surgeons at Rockland Thoracic and Vascular Associates P.C. have access to all of these devices and actively participate in research trials to help further the progress in this exciting field.

The Food and Drug Administration has recently approved Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting (CAS) for the prevention of stroke in the higher risk patient. Some studies have shown that this modality may be safer in the high risk patient population. Rockland Thoracic and Vascular Associates, P.C. is on the forefront of this new technology and is able to offer this exciting new technique for the appropriate patient. The CAS program is headed by Dr. Michael Choi.

We are also proud to be able to offer access to minimally invasive options for other vascular disorders including renal artery stenosis, limb threatening ischemia and other arterial blockages.