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At Ochsner Health Center - Southern Vascular, our advanced level of care delivers life-changing results for people every day. Our mission is to strive to deliver excellent vascular care that is both compassionate and efficient. We focus on minimally invasive procedures to offer our patients faster recovery times and better comfort without compromising the results.

Dr. Racheed Ghanami established Southern Vascular in 2015. Dr. Ghanami is a fellowship trained and board certified vascular surgeon. After originally growing up in north Louisiana, he went on to obtain his medical degree at LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans before moving to Little Rock, Arkansas where he performed a residency in General Surgery. He then went on to complete a vascular surgery fellowship at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in North Carolina. In 2012, Dr. Ghanami and his wife, Stacy, moved to Lafayette, Louisiana where they raise their four sons.

Dr. Ghanami and his team focus on providing the best procedures to help eleviate symptoms, prevent further disease manifestations and improve overall appearance. Technology and advancements in the industry have provided new opportunities for minimally invasive procedures. Achieving the improvement of symptoms related to vein problems is far more obtainable, safe, and convenient than ever before.

Our Process

The first step to diagnosing venous disease is to perform a thorough physical examination and testing involving ultrasound, to which we determine the level and cause of your condition.

Once we have determined the underlying cause of your condition, we recommend the treatment that will help your condition the best. For some spider veins we offer a non surgical solution called sclerotherapy, a relatively inexpensive option that can be performed in an outpatient setting. Depending on the severity of the vein condition we may recommend minimally invasive endovenous treatments, where the actual damaged vein is treated by a radio frequency ablation. Even for vein surgery (ligation or phlebotomy) most patients return home the same day.

The right care starts with Dr. Ghanami and his team, focusing on providing the best procedures that will improve symptoms while helping to prevent further complications associated with the disease process. Technology and advancements in the industry have provided new opportunities for minimally invasive procedures. Overcoming the symptoms of vascular related problems are far more obtainable, safe, and convenient than they have ever been.

Most of these treatment options are scheduled here in the office with the patient returning home within hours. Dr. Ghanami is a board certified, and fellowship trained surgeon with years of experience in performing these types of procedures. In severe disease cases where complicated venous procedures are recommended, the intervention will be scheduled at a designated facility with most patients returning home the same day.

Post procedure follow up visits are scheduled in the office with Dr. Ghanami to ensure that the results of the procedure are meeting your expectations and that you are healing successfully.

Treatment of Venous Disease

Venous insufficiency (reflux) develops when the valves within the veins of your leg fail to function properly. This can cause blood to pool in your legs and lead to symptoms such as pain, swelling, leg heaviness and fatigue. In severe cases skin changes, ulcers and varicose veins may occur.

Little Permanent Scarring
Our procedures are minimally invasive and often heal with little to no visible scarring.

Efficient Procedures
The procedures are short in nature – lasting about an hour here at our office.

Insurance Coverage
Our procedures are covered by most insurance companies including medicare.

Treatment of Arterial Disease

The circulation of your blood is fundamental to your well being, and complications with your arteries can lead to serious health issues. Patients are referred to Dr. Ghanami when the following arterial conditions have been identified.

Aneurysms
Aneurysms are a weakening in the blood vessel wall that can grow over time becoming a significant health risk because they can rupture. A ruptured aneurysm can cause severe internal bleeding, which can lead to shock or even death. This can occur throughout the body, whether it is the aorta, arms, or legs. Dr. Ghanami performs two types of surgical repairs: a newer technique called an endovascular aneurysm repair and a traditional open surgical repair. Treatment options are based on your condition and associated health risks.

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive treatment option for abdominal aneurysm repair which involves only two small groin punctures or incisions. A stent is placed within the abdominal aortic aneurysm to prevent further growth and potential rupture. This represents a huge improvement in care from the previous abdominal incisions.

When more complex aneurysms are not suitable for endovascular repair, open surgical intervention may be needed. An incision is made along the abdomen to internally repair the aneurysm. Southern Vascular is prepared to deliver this treatment in the safest manner possible. Not all patients are suitable for these procedures, but our team will review your case individually and sometimes confer with other industry professionals to provide the most appropriate plan of care for your condition.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Arterial disease is the build up of plaque within the arteries in our body including the upper and lower extremities. When a person develops peripheral artery disease (PAD), the extremities — usually the legs — don’t receive enough blood flow to keep up with the body’s needs. This causes symptoms, most notably leg pain when walking (intermittent claudication). Clearing the path for blood flow can be done through several different invasive procedures depending on your condition. Dr. Ghanami performs the following procedures: 

  • Hybrid Procedures - Incorporates both surgical intervention and minimally invasive advanced techniques
  • Endovascular Atherectomy - The removal of hardened plaque within the arteries by either laser or mechanical device
  • Drug Eluting Balloon Angioplasty - Use of balloon angioplasty to widen arteries filled with plaque and increase blood flow
  • Stent Placement - Stents are used to help hold open an artery so that blood can flow through the blocked or clogged artery
  • Traditional Surgical Bypass - Surgical rerouting of blood flow around an obstructed artery that supplies blood to the extremities 

Carotid Artery Disease
This condition is the result of plaque formation in your arteries specific to your carotid arteries which supply blood to your brain. A Carotid Endarterectomy (CEA) or the surgical removal of the plaque buildup in the carotid arteries, has long been proven as the optimal treatment for this condition. Dr. Ghanami is highly experienced in performing these types of procedures to help improve blood flow to the brain and prevent further disease manifestations.

Dialysis Access and Treatments

Dr. Ghanami is a board certified, fellowship trained vascular surgeon with experience and expertise in performing the following procedures

  • Fistula creation
  • Graft placement
  • HeRO Dialysis Graft Placement
  • Hybrid Graft Placement
  • Hemodialysis Catheter Insertion, Exchange, Removal and Repair
  • Early Cannulation Graft Placement
  • Surgical Revision of Malfunctioning Fistulas or Grafts
  • Ultrasound Vessel Mapping
  • Angiography
  • Accessory Vein Embolization/Ligation
  • Angioplasty
  • Minimally Invasive Thrombectomy (Declot)
  • Endovascular Stent Placement
  • Aneurysm & Pseudoaneurysm Repair

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