MetroWest Medical Center now has unusually strong resources for care of patients with a wide array of vascular diseases. Among other vascular conditions, the most common disorders are obstruction of the carotid, coronary, kidney and leg arteries, aneurysm disease causing enlargement of the aorta and vein diseases such as venous thrombosis and varicose veins. The Medical Center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and imaging technology, including MRI at the Wellness Center and accredited noninvasive vascular laboratory services, rapid sequence CT and digital arteriography at both Natick and Framingham campuses. Non- invasive ambulatory screening for occult vascular disease is offered by the Medical Center on a regular basis. Virtually all therapeutic options are available to patients including comprehensive management of Framingham Heart Study risk factors for heart and arterial disease using medications and supervised exercise and weight reduction programs. Other services include on site blood bank and hematology services, renal dialysis services and a Wound Clinic with specialty physicians and nurses. A fulltime cardiac catheterization laboratory is now available to perform both urgent and elective minimally invasive cardiac interventions. In addition, MetroWest has new digital radiology intervention suites and surgical operating rooms equipped for modern vascular Xray imaging at both campuses. Special vascular programs include endovascular stent graft treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms, now with nearly 100 patients having been managed at MetroWest. Skilled interventional radiologists participate in percutaneous endovascular angioplasty and stent treatment of arterial obstructions in the kidney and leg arteries. Three experienced vascular surgeons are on staff, providing a full array of modern surgical procedures for aortic aneurysms, carotid artery disease, peripheral artery disease and venous disease at both MetroWest campuses. Exciting progress is being made by the hospital and medical staff to knit all of these vascular services and more into a Center of Excellence by early 2007.

Craig Donaldson, MD
Chief of Surgery