Procedures

Fistula
For patients needing dialysis for kidney conditions, vascular surgeons surgically create a connection between an artery and a vein to allow for high volume blood removal into the dialysis machine and return to the body. This connection can be made between a patient’s own vein and artery in their arm or leg or by using a synthetic graft. Both procedures can be done as an outpatient, keeping at-risk patients out of the hospital. Our surgical team and Pima Heart and Vascular are highly skilled board certified physicians dedicated to providing that high level of service to our patients with kidney disease.

Pacemaker
Insertion/Removal/Exchange – A pacemaker is an electronic device that makes your heart beat more regularly. The device is placed under the skin on your chest and the wires travel through a vein into your heart. The pacemaker can read the electric signals your heart is trying to send and send more if needed. Pacemaker batteries last from 5-10 years so you will need to have your device checked and have it changed when needed. When the battery is changed, the wires stay but the small device that is under the skin is traded for a new one.

Implantable Loop Recorders
Insertion/Removal – An implantable loop recorder is implanted just over the heart under the skin and can remain in place for several years. The device detects problems with your heart rate and rhythm and automatically sends the information to your doctor as needed. If you have symptoms or feel there is a problem, you can also self-activate the device to record. If a problem is detected, you will be contacted by the office for further instructions. When you no longer need the recorder, a simple outpatient procedure will remove the device from under the skin.

Implantable Ports
Implantable Port Placement: The implantation of a port allows for vascular access to provide intravenous (IV) medications, fluids, or to collect blood samples. Your port may also be used for injections during special tests such as a CT scan or MRI. The procedure is performed by a vascular surgeon with local anesthesia by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. The implantation typically takes about one hour to complete and can be used immediately. You will have a small incision that heals within two weeks. Once the port is placed, it may stay in place there for an extended period and can be removed with an outpatient procedure.

Vascular Procedures
Small tubes are placed in the vein and/or artery to allow your physician to take special pictures with x-ray and look for blockages. If a blockage is able to be opened, the doctor may use special tools to open the blockage and get blood flowing through more freely.

CRT Devices
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT): Insertion/Removal/Exchange – Pacemakers and defibrillators can be upgraded for people whose hearts are out of sync and in heart failure. Very specific criteria need to be met for these special devices and select patients with heart failure may see an improvement in their symptoms. Similar to a pacemaker and a defibrillator, the device is placed under the skin on your chest and special wires travel through a vein into your heart. The wires read the electrical signals your heart is trying to send and send more if needed. If the CRT device is a defibrillator, it can correct a fatal electrical storm by restarting your heart. The device batteries last 3-10 years, so your device will need to be checked regularly at your doctor’s office. When the battery needs to be replaced, the wires stay but the device under the skin is removed and replaced with a new one.