At Barstow Community Hospital, vascular surgeons diagnose, treat, and manage conditions in your arteries and veins (blood vessels). These specialists treat a range of health problems, from varicose veins and ulcers to life-threatening abdominal aortic aneurysms, and can help patients reduce their chances for stroke caused by carotid stenosis. Vascular specialists can also help patients manage other chronic conditions like peripheral artery disease (PAD) treatment and kidney failure through access procedures — arteriovenous (AV) graft and AV fistula.

No vascular condition is simple in the eyes of the patient and the vascular team is dedicated to offering compassionate and comprehensive care. From the cosmetic treatment of spider and varicose veins to lifesaving endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms, each patient is treated with respect and dignity.

Ask your primary care provider if a vascular specialist referral is appropriate for you. Some reasons you may need to see a specialist include these conditions:

• If you are older than 55, smoke, have diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia or other risk factors (you may need to be screened for vascular conditions)
• If you are on dialysis
• If you have had a stroke, TIA or known carotid stenosis
• If you have a non-healing wound or extremity discoloration (blue, pale or redness)
• If you have a diabetic foot
• If you have leg pain on exercise, ambulation or at rest
• If you have a history of aneurysm (thoracic, abdominal, visceral or peripheral)
• If you have varicose veins, venous insufficiency, IVC filter, and leg or pelvic clots
• If you are losing weight and have abdominal pain after eating
• If you have uncontrolled hypertension

The Vascular System

When it comes to treatment of vascular conditions, there is good news. Many vascular conditions are quite manageable using minimally invasive techniques, if you see a physician early. Remember the best treatment for vascular problems is prevention.

• Open and endovascular aneurysm repair
• Minimally invasive endovascular recanalization for PAD
• Bypass surgery (aortic, upper and lower extremities)
• Carotid endarterectomy or stenting
• Hemodialysis access creation
• Endovenous radiofrequency and foam ablation for venous insufficiency
• Phlebectomy for varicose veins
• Esthetic vein treatment with laser and sclerotherapy
• Vein stripping and ligation
• Open and endovascular venous thrombectomy for DVT
• IVC filter management
• Temporal artery biopsy
• Uterine fibroid embolization
• Vascular disease prevention (Tobacco, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia care)
• Comprehensive wound care with debridement