Techniques and technological advances in medicine constantly bring many benefits to patients and healthcare professionals. Also in vascular surgery where the recent technological development applied to the diagnostic and therapeutic methods of the pathology of the circulatory system has led to an expansion of the treatment possibilities for patients suffering from vascular disorders.
Endovascular treatment is the most relevant exponent of recent and continuous technological innovation. As occurs in other areas of medicine and surgery, treatments for vascular ailments are now more comfortable for patients, they have become less aggressive and more comfortable without renouncing an absolutely proven efficacy. Endovascular treatment consists of repairing blood vessel defects through the application of catheters introduced through small access points by puncture or with very small incisions. The role of technological evolution has been fundamental in this, since it has made possible the development and manufacture of endovascular devices that can navigate through veins or arteries. These devices are now guided by sophisticated high-definition imaging systems, allowing us to repair damaged vessels. In addition, endovascular treatment now has some great advantages associated with it, such as the use of local anesthesia -in most cases- and the reduction of blood loss and the consequent rapid recovery of the patient.
The introduction of these new techniques has been a true revolution in vascular surgical practice. Clear examples of this new stage are the repair of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms with the application of endoprostheses, the recanalization of obstructed arteries or the repair of varicose veins. In some cases it replaces and in others complements open surgery. Furthermore, endovascular surgery has evolved in such a way that it has managed to add treatment possibilities for patients who are not suitable for open surgery.
All this shows the importance of technological advances in science in general and in vascular surgery, in this case, in particular. Thanks to this evolution, this therapeutic scenario that we have just described is the one that will be realized for vascular pathology in the 21st century. Fortunately, as of today, it can already be offered to patients with circulatory problems in centers that have adopted and developed the most advanced technology.