CMC Vascular Performs First Complex Limb-Salvage Bypass Locally
Conway Medical Center just completed a surgery that’s never been done here before—a complex procedure that saved a patient’s leg when the artery behind their knee suddenly clotted. This type of advanced surgery used to mean a transfer to Charleston or Charlotte. Now, it’s available right here in Conway.
Dr. Ana Paula Morales Allende, CMC’s vascular surgeon, performed this groundbreaking procedure to treat a rare but dangerous condition: a clotted artery aneurysm behind the knee.
Schedule a vascular screening with CMC Vascular Care to check your circulation health. Early detection prevents emergencies. Call today to book your evaluation.
In this article:
What This Means for You
Until now, patients needing this level of complex vascular surgery had to be transferred to bigger hospitals hours away during emergencies.
That meant:
- Delays in life-saving treatment
- Being separated from family during a scary time
- More stress and logistical headaches
- Complication risks during ambulance transport
Now, this advanced surgery happens right here at CMC.
You get faster treatment and stay close to home and family.
Understanding the Condition This Surgery Treats
The popliteal artery runs behind your knee. Sometimes it can balloon out like a weak spot in a tire—that’s called an aneurysm. The real danger comes when that bulge suddenly fills with blood clots.
Why This Is an Emergency
When the artery clots off:
- Blood can’t reach your lower leg and foot
- Your tissues start dying within hours
- You have a very short window to save the leg
- Without immediate surgery, you could lose your leg
Who’s at Risk
You’re more likely to develop this problem if you:
- Are a man over 60
- Smoke or used to smoke
- Have other aneurysms in your body
- Have clogged arteries elsewhere
- Have family members with aneurysms
Most people have no warning signs until the artery suddenly clots. That’s why screening matters if you’re at risk.
Have risk factors? Schedule a vascular screening at CMC Vascular Care to catch problems before they become emergencies.
How the Surgery Works: Creating a New Blood Flow Path
This bypass surgery is like creating a detour around a blocked highway.
Step 1: Harvesting a Vein
The surgeon takes a healthy vein from another part of your leg (usually the long vein that runs down your leg).
Using your own vein works better than artificial tubes because:
- It stays open longer
- There’s less risk of infection
Step 2: Creating the Bypass
The surgeon uses that vein to create a new path for blood:
- Connects above the clotted area
- Bypasses the problem completely
- Reconnects below the blockage
- Restores blood flow to save the leg
Why It’s Challenging
This surgery requires advanced skill because:
- The artery below the knee is small and deep
- Every connection must be perfect
- The surgeon needs to work quickly
- It requires specialized training and experience
Why This Is a Big Deal for CMC & You
Not every hospital can do this type of surgery.
It requires:
- A surgeon with specialized advanced training
- Special equipment
- An experienced surgical team
- The right monitoring and recovery support
Dr. Ana Paula Morales Allende and Dr. Jason Fried with CMC Vascular have the training and expertise to perform complex procedures like this.
That means CMC can now handle certain vascular emergencies that used to require transfer to other hospitals.
What This Means Going Forward
Now that CMC has this capability:
- Vascular emergencies get treated immediately here
- No dangerous delays from transfers
- Families stay together during treatment
- You get advanced care close to home
CMC Vascular Care now handles everything from simple vein treatments to complex bypasses. Learn more at HERE.
Who Needs This Type of Surgery
Bypass surgery saves legs when blood flow is severely blocked.
Common Reasons for Bypass Surgery
Sudden Blockage When an artery suddenly gets blocked by a clot.
Severe Circulation Problems When poor blood flow causes pain, wounds that won’t heal, or dying tissue.
When Other Treatments Don’t Work Sometimes less invasive procedures can’t fix the problem.
Complicated Blockages Multiple problem areas that need surgical solutions.
Advanced Diabetic Circulation Problems Diabetes can cause severe artery damage that threatens your leg.
Warning Signs You Need Help Now
Call for immediate help if you have:
- Sudden severe pain in your leg or foot
- Your leg or foot feels cold
- Your leg changes color (pale, blue, or blotchy)
- Numbness or can’t move your toes
- A wound that hasn’t healed in 2-3 weeks
- Leg pain when walking that stops you in your tracks
These symptoms mean your circulation is in trouble, and you might need urgent surgery.
Time matters. Getting help quickly can mean the difference between saving and losing your leg.
What CMC Vascular Care Offers
CMC Vascular Care handles all types of blood vessel problems.
Testing and Diagnosis
- Ultrasound to check arteries and veins
- Tests to measure blood flow to your legs
- Screening for stroke risk
- Complete vascular examination
Less Invasive Treatments
- Opening blocked arteries without major surgery
- Fixing aneurysms from inside the blood vessel
- Treating varicose veins
- Managing dialysis access
Advanced Surgery
- Bypass surgery (including complex procedures like this milestone)
- Surgery to prevent strokes
- Aneurysm repair
- Limb-saving procedures
- Emergency vascular surgery
Prevention and Ongoing Care
- Managing artery disease
- Diabetic screening and prevention
- Monitoring aneurysms
- Follow-up after procedures
The team at CMC Vascular Care works with other CMC doctors to give you complete care.
When Should You Get Checked?
Many serious blood vessel problems have no symptoms until they become emergencies.
You Should Get Screened If You:
Have Risk Factors:
- Diabetes
- Smoke or used to smoke
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Over 60 years old
- Family history of artery problems or aneurysms
Have Symptoms:
- Your legs cramp or hurt when you walk
- Cold feet or legs
- Wounds on your legs or feet that won’t heal
- Painful varicose veins
- Erectile dysfunction (often an early warning sign of circulation problems)
Need Preventive Care:
- Yearly check-ups if you have diabetes
- Regular monitoring if you have an aneurysm
- Follow-up after treatment
- Family history of vascular disease
Finding problems early means treating them before they become life-threatening.
Don’t wait for an emergency. Schedule your screening at CMC Vascular Care and find out how your circulation is doing.
What This Means for Our Community
This milestone is about more than one successful surgery. It shows CMC’s commitment to bringing advanced medical care to Horry County.
You don’t need to travel hours away for complex vascular surgery anymore.
The same expertise you’d find at big university hospitals is now available right here.
As CMC Vascular Care grows, our community gets:
- Fast access to life-saving procedures
- Less need for expensive transfers
- Care close to family and home
- Growing expertise in complex vascular problems
Get Your Vascular Check-Up
Whether you need screening or treatment, CMC Vascular Care has you covered.
Don’t wait for symptoms to get worse.
Contact CMC Vascular Care to:
- Schedule a screening
- Talk about symptoms that concern you
- Get a second opinion
- Learn about your treatment options
Visit conwaymedicalcenter.com/services/vascular-care to learn more, or call to schedule with Dr. Ana Paula Morales Allende.
Advanced vascular care is now available right here at home.
Key Takeaways:
- CMC performed its first complex below-knee bypass surgery—a limb-saving procedure now available locally
- This surgery treats dangerous artery problems that used to require transfer to distant hospitals
- Dr. Ana Paula Morales Allende and Dr. Jason Fried bring advanced training in complex vascular surgery to CMC
- Early screening prevents emergencies and saves legs
- CMC Vascular Care offers complete services from testing to complex surgery
- If you have risk factors, get checked annually
The content within this article and others on this website is only for educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. For any questions or concerns, please consult with your healthcare provider.
