Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) occurs when arteries in the legs become narrowed or dogged with plaque (cholesterol) – referred to as atherosclerosis – reducing blood flow to the legs. PVD can lead to leg pain when walking (claudication), disability, and even amputation. Blocked leg arteries can be a red flag that other arteries, including those…

Respiratory Failure

Respiratory failure occurs when the lungs cannot remove all of the carbon dioxide the body produces. This causes body fluids, especially the blood, to become too acidic. Causes of respiratory failure include: Diseases of the airways, such as asthma and COPD Diseases of the lung tissue, such as pulmonary fibrosis Diseases that can affect the chest,…

Stroke

A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. There are two major types of stroke: Ischemic stroke Hemorrhagic stroke Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel is blocked by a blood clot. Ischemic strokes can also be caused by arterial plaque. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the…

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are swollen, twisted, and enlarged veins that you can see under the skin. They most often occur in the legs but can also occur in other parts of the body. Nearly 25% of adults are thought to be affected by varicose veins. Risk factors include: Older age Being female Being born with defective…

Beating Heart Bypass Surgery

Beating Heart Bypass Surgery is performed while the heart is still beating – a major advancement now available to Deborah patients. With off-pump technology, heart and lungs continue to function during the surgery, reducing the risk of stroke, lung, and kidney dysfunction, and memory loss. Benefits of off-pump surgery: Shortens the average hospital stay No…

Caloric Test

A caloric test uses differences in temperature to diagnose damage to the acoustic nerve, which is involved in hearing and balance, in the ear. The test also checks for damage to the brain stem. This test may be used to find the cause of: Dizziness or vertigo Hearing loss that may be due to certain…

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) in Children

Heart Failure and LVAD Implant Management

A left ventricular assist device, or LVAD, is a mechanical pump that is surgically implanted in patients to slow the progress of severe congestive heart failure. An LVAD assists a faulty left ventricle in pumping blood. Post-surgery, patients are trained in the management of a companion control device which regulates and monitors the LVAD. Patients…

Otoacoustic Emissions Test

This test evaluates the functioning of the outer hair cells in the inner ear. Otoacoustic emissions are acoustic signals generated by the normal inner ear, either in the absence of acoustic stimulation or in response to acoustic stimulation. These emissions can be measured by placing a microphone in the opening of the ear canal and…

TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR)

TransCarotidArtery Revasculartion (TCAR) is an advanced technique designed for high risk patients whose carotid arteries are blocked, and who are unable to tolerate a surgical endarterectomy. With traditional carotid endarterectomy, surgery is performed to remove plaque from the artery that supplies blood to the brain. TCAR offers a new approach for patients who are too…