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Dr. Cameron J. St. Hilaire, MD is a vascular surgeon in Tarzana, CA specializing in vascular surgery. Dr. Cameron J. St. Hilaire, MD is affiliated with Providence and Providence Affiliated Physicians, Los Angeles County.
Providence Affiliated Physicians, Los Angeles County
Angioplasty
Angioplasty is a common, minimally invasive procedure performed to restore blood flow in arteries and veins that have become narrowed or blocked. Age or illness can cause plaque to build up at certain spots within the veins and arteries, and if enough collects, it can restrict the flow of blood. Angioplasty uses a tiny balloon at the end of a small, flexible tube to inflate within the narrowed section and open it up again.
Angioplasty may be performed in several different areas of the body and for a variety of reasons, most often:
During angioplasty, a patient is given a sedative while lying on a table under an x-ray machine. A catheter (a thin, flexible, and hollow tube) is inserted into the patient's skin in the arm or groin and guided into the blocked artery. Dye is injected via the catheter, and x-rays are used to position the tip of the catheter exactly at the blockage. The tiny balloon is guided through the catheter and inflated with saline. It pushes the plaque out of the way, squishing it against the walls of the artery. The balloon may be inflated and deflated several times to let blood pass by. A stent, a tiny tube of metal mesh like a spring, may be inserted to help keep the artery open. Then the x-ray is used again to check that blood is flowing properly, the catheter is removed, and the tiny incision is bandaged.
There are no nerves within veins and arteries, so an angioplasty is generally not painful. However, there may be some discomfort at the site of the incision and when the balloon is inflated. Overall, angioplasty is a very effective and low-risk procedure, useful for helping patients avoid more difficult bypass surgery.
Peripheral Bypass Surgery
Peripheral bypass surgery is a procedure that reroutes blood flow around a blockage in the arteries of the arms or legs. Atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup, can affect these arteries in a condition called peripheral artery disease or PAD. A thick, waxy substance composed of cholesterol and minerals builds up within the blood vessels, and in severe cases it can clog arteries. Without enough blood getting to the muscles, patients can experience weakness and pain. Peripheral bypass surgery opens up a new pathway for blood to flow where it is needed. Sometimes peripheral bypass surgery is used when arteries are damaged, for instance, by a severe injury. While it can be performed in the arms, it is most commonly done in the calf, knee, thigh, or hip.
During surgery, the blockage is identified, and an incision is made to expose the artery. The surgeon prepares a tube, called a graft, to be used as the bypass. Sometimes this tube is synthetic, and sometimes a piece of the patient's own vein or artery is used. The ends of the bypass graft are attached to the artery above and below the blockage. Now blood can simply flow around and continue on its way.
After a peripheral bypass, patients may need to spend a couple of days in the hospital while doctors make sure the bypass is working and not leaking. If the bypass was done in the leg, doctors may check the pulse in the feet to make sure blood is flowing well. Patients may experience some swelling in the area where they had surgery. Raising an arm or leg will help. Patients will likely be back to normal activities within 2-3 weeks.
Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is ruptured or blocked. The brain cannot function without a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, so when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, even for a brief moment, brain cells begin to die. When a sufficient number of brain cells die, the brain itself can no longer function, meaning that strokes are very dangerous. Strokes can result in impaired movement, speech, cognitive ability, the impairment of important physical functions, and even death.
Anyone can have a stroke, regardless of age and health. Strokes are known to happen at random. However, certain conditions and behaviors can increase one's risk of stroke over time.
Risk factors for stroke include:
There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs more commonly and is when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. Blockages are caused by blood clots and built-up plaque (deposits of fat and cholesterol), which leads to atherosclerosis, a condition where the blood vessels narrow and harden. The resultant restricted blood flow may lead to an ischemic stroke by blocking essential oxygen to the brain, causing the heart to exert more effort to pump blood.
Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or around the brain ruptures. The burst vessel leaks blood into surrounding brain tissue, causing irreparable brain damage.
Hemorrhagic strokes are less common and may occur from head injuries, brain aneurysms, brain tumors, and bleeding disorders, amongst other conditions.
Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes require immediate medical treatment. Medical intervention can prevent severe and life-threatening brain damage. Signs of stroke include:
-Disorientation or confusion
-Difficulty speaking
-Difficulty walking
-Impaired vision
-Weakness in the face, legs, or arms
-Severe headaches
When someone suspected of having a stroke reaches the hospital, the patient will usually receive a CT or other scan that provides an image of the brain. The scan results can reveal clotted or leaking blood in the brain. Physical exams, neurological exams, and blood tests may also be used to check for blood clotting and sugar. Treatment begins generally immediately if a stroke is detected.
Medical treatment for ischemic strokes includes a thrombolytic medicine which breaks up and disperses blood clots. This medicine can greatly improve stroke recovery and long-term health. However, the thrombolytic medicine must be administered as soon as possible to achieve these results. Other treatments for ischemic strokes are blood thinners and thrombectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot in the brain. Thrombectomy is performed by inserting a catheter (thin needle) into the artery to reach the blood clot and mechanically remove it. With the clot removed, normal blood flow to the brain resumes. Thrombectomy is typically performed at most six hours after a patient shows signs of a stroke.
Hemorrhagic strokes are treated with blood-saving medication and surgery. For a hemorrhagic stroke caused by the rupture of an aneurysm (blood vessel bulges), surgery to stem the bleeding aneurysm and vessel may be used. One surgical technique is stent-assisted coiling, which adds a stent (small wire-meshed tube) into the blood vessel to block the leaking opening of the aneurysm. A non-surgical procedure is endovascular coiling, where a catheter (thin, hollow needle) places a platinum wire coil at the spot of the aneurysm. The coil blocks bleeding and prevents the aneurysm from continuing to leak blood. These procedures are usually combined with blood-thickening medications. Blood transfusions may be administered if substantial blood loss has occurred.
Since stroke patients may have lost some essential functions while the blood flow to their brains was obstructed, both ischemic stroke and hemorrhage stroke patients may receive post-stroke rehabilitation to rebuild their physical and mental abilities. Some restorative treatments include occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Patients may also receive care from neurologists, who can assist patients in recovering certain brain functions and cognitive abilities, and rehabilitation psychologists, who may help patients with their emotional, behavioral, and cognitive recovery. Some stroke patients require lengthy rehabilitation and may never fully regain function, while others may recover more quickly. While the fastest recovery improvements are usually seen in the first three or four months, stroke rehabilitation can last for years.
If someone begins to show signs of stroke, contact emergency services and call 9-1-1 immediately since blood flow must be restored as soon as possible to help avoid significant brain damage. If an ambulance takes the person to the hospital, paramedics can initiate stroke treatment as soon as the patient enters the ambulance, allowing for more prompt medical intervention and care.
He has a state license in California.
Licensed In: California
Dr. Cameron J. St. Hilaire, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Cameron J. St. Hilaire, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Anthem Blue Cross HMO, Aetna HMO, Blue Shield of California, United Healthcare HMO, Anthem, Medicare Advantage, Humana Medicare Advantage, Health Net HMO and CIGNA HMO.
According to our sources, Dr. Cameron J. St. Hilaire, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
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Dr. Cameron St. Hilaire is a Tarzana, CA physician who specializes in vascular surgery. His clinical interests include thoracic outlet syndrome, portal hypertension, and iliac artery aneurysm. Dr. St. Hilaire is professionally affiliated with Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center. He attended medical school at the University of South Florida (USF) College of Medicine. He can accept United Healthcare HMO, Anthem, and Blue California, as well as other insurance carriers.
