Vascular Suite

A state-of-the-art vascular lab with digital imaging is adjacent to the Cardiac Catheterization Lab in the Heart Center. Vascular surgeons can perform a variety of peripheral vascular procedures in the suite for diagnostic and treatment purposes, including:

  • Angioplasty
  • Arterial intervention of the upper and lower extremities
  • Endografts for aortic aneurysms
  • Lower leg interventional procedures, including stenting 
  • Renal interventions

“The new suite utilizes technologies that integrate diagnosis and treatment and allows the peripheral vascular specialist to enhance patient care,” says Vincent Bertin, MD, medical director of the Cardiovascular Lab. “This results in fewer surgeries, safer procedures, shorter hospital stays, faster recoveries and better outcomes for vascular patients.”

In addition to handling vascular cases, the lab is available for cardiac catheterizations and interventions. Even Code STEMIs, garnering regional recognition for Parma Hospital with response times for heart attack patients well below the national average, could be handled in this suite.

Digital equipment that allows physicians to view images quickly and more clearly gives the vascular surgeon a distinct edge over previous capabilities. Images can be reviewed instantaneously through the hospital’s Picture Archival Communication System (PACS).

“This vascular lab represents state-of-the-art care in the community setting,” says James Persky, MD, director of the Division of Vascular Surgery at Parma Hospital. “This vascular lab allows us to be on the cutting edge of new modalities of care and eliminates the need to travel beyond the friendly confines of Parma Community General Hospital.”

Interventional radiologists also use the vascular suite to perform minimally invasive vascular and interventional procedures, including diagnostic procedures like angiograms, radiofrequency ablation and line insertions for intravenous devices. The digital equipment was selected for both superior resolution of images and safety features that reduce radiation exposure.

“We are committed to providing the safest environment to our patients,” says Linda Nicklas, administrative director of Radiology. “We chose this equipment over other vendors because it offered the highest quality radiologic procedures with the lowest radiation dosage to the patient.” 

Screening can save lives

A careful history and physical is the best tool in diagnosing vascular problems, says James Persky, MD, a vascular surgeon. Any of the following concerns may give a physician reason to conduct further diagnostic testing:

  • Leg pain with walking
  • Pain in toes that wakes you up at night
  • Perpetually cold feet
  • Pulsitile masses in the abdomen
  • Sores that won’t go away