Peripheral Aneurysm Aneurysms occur when part of an artery wall weakens, allowing it to balloon out or widen abnormally. Peripheral aneurysms affect the arteries other than the aorta. These are most commonly located in the legs. Symptoms of Peripheral Aneurysm Expand Content Most patients are asymptomatic, meaning they have no symptoms. Peripheral aneurysms generally do not rupture but may send a clot from within the aneurysm to the arteries downstream. Occasionally, this is a limb-threatening condition.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)/Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when the arteries narrow due to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). When symptoms are present, the most common are cramping, discomfort, or tiredness in the leg muscles while walking or exercising. PAD is a slow and progressive circulation disorder. Areas affected by PAD, such as the arms and legs, may not receive adequate blood flow.  If left untreated, in severe cases this can cause irreversible damage.

Pulmonary Embolism A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a blood clot breaks free from its site of origin and travels to the lungs, forming a blockage in an artery. Symptoms of PE include chest pain, shortness of breath, severe cough, coughing up of blood and even sudden death. Pulmonary embolism is the major concern for patients experiencing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism The following are the most common symptoms of a pulmonary embolism.

Renal Hypertension/Renal Vascular Disease Approximately five percent of people with hypertension or high blood pressure suffer from renal or renovascular hypertension, caused by narrowing or blockage in the arteries to the kidneys. With this blockage, the kidneys see a reduction of blood pressure and compensate for it by causing a rise in overall blood pressure, resulting in systemic hypertension. Early in its course, this hypertension can be treated with medication. However, as the blockage worsens, hypertension may become severe and difficult to control, even with multiple medications.

Stent Implant Stent implantation usually follows angioplasty. The stent (a small metal mesh tube device) is placed in the newly-opened artery and pressed into the artery wall. It acts as a scaffold to help keep the artery open and will remain in place permanently. The stent is placed in the newly-opened artery and pressed into the artery wall. It acts as a scaffold to help keep the artery open and will remain in place permanently. At Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, we offer patients the latest in stent technology: drug-eluting stents.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) TAVR is a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery to replace the aortic valve in people with aortic valve stenosis. Aortic valve stenosis occurs when the heart's aortic valve narrows, preventing it from fully opening and obstructing blood flow from the heart.  TAVR is much less invasive than open-heart surgery, which requires opening the patient's chest and stopping the heart using a heart-lung machine while the surgeon removes the old valve and sews in the new one.

Contact Us Our Structural Heart/Valve Disease Team at Inova Heart and Vascular Institute is composed of a highly experienced team dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for people suffering from structural heart disease through procedures like TAVR.  Call 703-776-3135 or complete our form to consult a Structural Heart/Valve Disease physician who can perform the TAVR procedure. You can also email us with other needs at valve@inova.org.

Preparing for TAVR – What to Expect Once your doctor refers you to Inova, a coordinator will contact you to schedule your initial consult and evaluation testing.

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm A thoracic aortic aneurysm is a bulging, weakened area in the aorta. The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body, delivering oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body. "Thoracic" refers to the part of the aorta that runs through the chest. Over time, the weakened area in the aortic wall balloons and is at risk for bursting (rupture) or separating (dissection), which can cause life-threatening bleeding and potentially death.

Ventricular Assist Device (VAD/LVAD) Treatment for Heart Failure Inova Heart and Vascular Institute is a leader in ventricular assist devices or "VADs" and has earned The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval for exemplary, quality care and service. We run one of the busiest VAD programs in the Mid-Atlantic region to care for patients living with end-stage heart failure and as a bridge for transplant patients waiting for heart transplantation. Many VAD patients do so well they opt to have their name removed from the transplant list.