VascularCenterOfTheGreatLakes.org
The Vascular Center of the Great Lakes is the only facility in Northwest Indiana dedicated to peripheral vascular disease. The Vascular Center offers a multidisciplinary approach to vascular problems, combining the expertise of fellowship-trained specialists in both vascular surgery and endovascular interventions.
Patients in our facility are evaluated, when appropriate, with state-of-the art diagnostic ultrasound technology. If further imaging is required, it can be done in the new fully-equipped catheterization laboratory at Saint Anthony Memorial by the Lake.
Patients with the following health problems are evaluated: ( See also: Who is at risk? | Locations )
Carotid Artery Disease: Blockages in the arteries leading to the brain are the leading cause of stroke in the US.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): Swelling of the major artery of the abdomen can lead to rupture, which is often fatal. Repair of these aneurysms before they rupture is highly successful, and can now be done with minor surgery using a minimally-invasive aortic stent-graft. Some patients require the open abdominal surgery, depending upon the specific characteristics of the aneurysm.
Kidney Artery Disease: Often responsible for poorly controlled high blood pressure and, at times, kidney failure.
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Blockages in the arteries of the legs can lead to symptoms ranging from intermittent hip and/or leg pain with walking (claudication), to gangrene of the toes. Many non-surgical options for treatment include balloon angioplasty, stents, and Silverhawk Atherectomy. When surgery is required, microsurgical techniques permit bypass of diseased arteries to prevent the need for amputation.
Intestinal Artery Disease: Blockages in the arteries to the intestines can lead to unexplained weight loss, pain in the abdomen after eating, or frequent diarrhea. Sometimes more than one symptom can happen at the same time.
Dialysis Access: Patients with kidney failure rely upon created vascular loops between arteries and veins to enable hemodialysis
Varicose Veins:A common disorder created by poorly functioning veins that can cause pain and unsightly deformity. State-of-the-art techniques to treat this condition, such as laser and injection sclerotherapy, are available at the Vascular Center.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome:This disorder affects the nerves that pass into the arms from the neck. It is a common cause of arm and shoulder pain, numbness in the hands, and at times, arm swelling.
Charles Tattersall, M.D. Board Certified Vascular Surgeon
Dr. Tattersall attended the University of Michigan and the Medical College of Ohio. After completing a General Surgery residency at Rush-Presbyterian-St.Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago, he completed a fellowship in Vascular Surgery at Loyola University in Chicago. He is experienced in endovascular procedures, vascular surgery, dialysis access, and varicose vein treatment.
Virginia S. Newman, M.D. Board Certified Vascular Surgeon
Dr. Newman graduated from Harvard University and attended Cornell Medical college in New York. She trained in General Surgery at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, and completed a fellowship in Vascular Surgery at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. She has expertise in endovascular procedures and vascular surgery, with a particular emphasis on renovascular and mesenteric disease, limb salvage, and thoracic outlet syndrome.
Individuals who have diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, a family history of any of the before mentioned conditions including heart disease, and anyone who smokes. These risk factors should be closely monitored by a primary care physician. Thoracic outlet syndrome and varicose veins are exceptions in that these conditions often occur in the absence of any of the risk factors above.