VISIT TO THE CLINIC
How does a visit to the clinic work?
Every vascular surgery patient constitutes a separate case, which requires a thorough clinical examination as well as the use of special diagnostic techniques. The correct and timely diagnosis of the vascular problem at the first visit, will lead to the application of the appropriate treatment as well as to the avoidance of expensive and many times unnecessary examinations.
Depending on the type of condition, the improvement of symptoms can be immediate or gradual, but in every case the follow-up is extremely important for the full recovery of the patient.
Step 1
The patient completes a printed form. In it are recorded their history, their symptoms, previous operations, current medication and any comorbidities. The purpose of the form is for the vascular surgeon to obtain an accurate picture of the patient's cardiovascular profile, so as to offer appropriate and individualised treatment.
Step 2
After the completion of the document the evaluation of the symptoms follows through the clinical examination and the ultrasound check. These include the examination of the pulses, the measurement of blood pressure, the measurement of the ankle-brachial index and the ultrasound check of the carotids. Depending on the nature of the condition, the colleagues of the hemodynamic laboratory of the Medical Center or the vascular surgeon himself will conduct a specialised ultrasound check.
Step 3
Having an overall picture of the problem, the vascular surgeon will discuss with the patient the nature and severity of the condition and will plan the treatment. In specific conditions (for example aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease, diabetic foot, carotid artery disease) the patient will need to undergo an additional CT or MR angiogram, if a recent one is not available. This takes place before the final planning of the treatment. In that case, the vascular surgeon will contact the patient or a further free visit to the clinic will follow.
The goal of the vascular surgeon is for the patient to obtain a complete picture of their problem, to understand the therapeutic treatment or the type of surgery that is proposed to them and to develop a relationship of trust with their attending physician.
Vascular conditions, and particularly endovascular bloodless techniques, are complex. For this reason the patient receives, after all the examinations have been completed, a detailed document. This includes their cardiovascular history, the current diagnosis, the results of the clinical, laboratory and imaging examinations and the proposed treatment.
