Patient Journey

Clinical Assessment

Depending on your clinical complaint, Professor O’Donnell will need to examine the affected area.

Patients with an aortic aneurysm will require an examination of their abdomen, groin pulses and feet.

Patients with varicose veins and peripheral arterial disease will require a full examination of their lower extremities and will need to remove trousers, socks and shoes. Underwear does not need to be removed. A gown or surgical drape will be provided to protect modesty.

The examination may then be completed with you lying on the examination couch, in the standing position or both.

Varicose Veins

In patients presenting with varicose veins, a bedside venous duplex is performed. This requires the application of ultrasound gel, similar to a pregnancy scan, and passage of the ultrasound probe over the varicose veins to identify venous anatomy particularly the size of the vein and whether it is incompetent – leaky. This is a painless examination.

In certain circumstances, a formal venous duplex is required in the radiology department particularly if you have had previous varicose vein procedures or if you have had a history of a deep venous thrombosis (DVT).

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Aortic Aneurysm

Patients presenting for investigation of an aortic aneurysm will require an abdominal ultrasound. A separate appointment in the radiology department will be required to perform the ultrasound test which Professor O’Donnell will request on your behalf.

If the ultrasound identifies that you have an aortic aneurysm greater than 5.5cm, you will be referred for a CT angiogram scan of your aortic aneurysm. You may require a blood test prior to this scan to evaluate your kidney function and to determine if the CT scan can proceed safely. You may also be asked by the radiology department about some of your medications at this stage particularly if you take metformin for diabetes.

The hospital radiology team members performing the CT angiogram will need to insert an intravenous cannula in one of your arms to facilitate the injection of intravenous contrast which is required to highlight or emphasise the blood flow in the aneurysm during the scan to better evaluate it. The CT scan itself is painless and is performed very quickly.

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Day of Procedure

Once you have been scheduled for your procedure, the relevant hospital will inform you of all required details regarding your attendance.

Local anaesthetic vein procedures do not require a period of fasting. Although you should be able to take all of your normal medications, it is important that you have previously informed Professor O’Donnell and the hospital where you are having the procedure of your current medication prescription particularly blood thinning medications.

General anaesthetic procedures do require a period of fasting. Your surgical and anaesthetic teams will need to review your medications and determine which of your regular medications you should take on the day of your surgery.

Professor O’Donnell will examine you prior to your procedure to address any questions you may have and confirm the specific treatment you will undergo. At this stage, all aspects of the procedure will be discussed and you will be requested to confirm your agreement by signing the consent form.

Specific risks and complications of all procedures are available for review on the Treatments section of the web page. Further information may be obtained from the Patient Information section as well.

Finally your lower extremity varicose veins will be marked. You will be asked to look at the marked areas on your lower limbs to confirm inclusion of all the areas that you wish to have treated.