About
Dr. Brandon James Asseldonk is a highly skilled Vascular Surgeon, dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the vascular system (arteries, veins, and lymphatic circulation). Based at Toronto West Medical in Scarborough, ON, he provides specialized vascular services in a professional and patient-centered environment. His practice includes performing complex surgical procedures at Scarborough Health Network Hospital, a leading healthcare facility in the region. The clinic and affiliated hospital facilities are wheelchair accessible and designed for patient comfort and privacy. Patients and visitors can generally find parking in hospital-affiliated lots or nearby public parking facilities, with easy access via local public transit routes. Dr. Asseldonk’s approach emphasizes comprehensive vascular care, utilizing both minimally invasive endovascular techniques and traditional open surgery to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
He provides comprehensive management for a wide array of conditions including peripheral artery disease (PAD), aortic aneurysms, carotid artery stenosis (to prevent stroke), and venous disorders such as varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). He utilizes a range of advanced medical therapies, minimally invasive endovascular procedures (like angioplasty and stenting), and open surgical techniques to restore blood flow and improve patient outcomes. Dr. Asseldonk is committed to staying at the forefront of vascular medicine, ensuring his patients receive the highest standard of care through continuous learning and adherence to current clinical guidelines.
With a medical degree from the University of Toronto and recognized as a RCPSC Specialist by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), Dr. Asseldonk brings dedicated expertise and professionalism. His philosophy centers on providing state-of-the-art vascular care with a focus on patient safety, informed decision-making, and the use of the least invasive effective techniques tailored to each patient's specific vascular problem. He collaborates closely with referring physicians and other specialists to ensure comprehensive management of vascular conditions, emphasizing ongoing education and application of the latest advancements in vascular and endovascular surgery. Dr. Asseldonk provides surgical consultations and care exclusively in English, dedicated to improving vascular health for patients in Scarborough.
Dr. Brandon Asseldonk provides expert diagnosis and treatment for a wide spectrum of vascular conditions, including:
Arterial Occlusive and Stenotic Diseases
Dr. Asseldonk treats conditions characterized by narrowing or blockage of arteries, restricting blood flow to vital organs and limbs.
- Mesenteric Ischemia (Acute or Chronic): Insufficient blood flow to the small intestine, which can be acute (sudden, life-threatening) or chronic (causing abdominal pain after eating).
- Renal Artery Stenosis: Can be caused by atherosclerosis or fibromuscular dysplasia.
- Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI): Multifactorial management including wound care, revascularization, and risk factor modification.
Aortic and Other Arterial Aneurysmal Diseases
Dr. Asseldonk treats conditions involving abnormal dilation or bulging of arterial walls, primarily the aorta, posing a risk of rupture.
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): Often asymptomatic and detected incidentally; screening is recommended for at-risk individuals (e.g., older male smokers).
- Peripheral Artery Aneurysms (e.g., Popliteal, Femoral): Repair is often recommended to prevent limb-threatening complications.
This list is not exhaustive. For a comprehensive evaluation of your vascular health, a consultation with Dr. Brandon Asseldonk is necessary.
- Comprehensive Vascular Disease Consultation: Thorough evaluation for suspected or known diseases of the arteries, veins, and lymphatic system.
- Renal Artery Stenosis Treatment: Renal artery angioplasty and stenting for significant stenosis.
- Spider Vein Treatment (Sclerotherapy): Cosmetic treatment of small, superficial spider veins (telangiectasias) using injection sclerotherapy.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Management - Select Interventions: Placement of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters in select high-risk patients.
- Pre-operative Evaluation for Vascular Surgery: Assessing patient suitability and risk factors prior to major vascular surgical or endovascular procedures.
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Venous Ulcer Care: Treatment of underlying superficial or deep venous reflux.
Note: This list provides an overview. Specific procedures are determined after thorough consultation with Dr. Asseldonk.
All vascular surgical and endovascular services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and relevant Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery (CSVS) guidelines and best practices. A referral from a physician is typically required for consultation.
Dr. Brandon James Asseldonk practices primarily at Toronto West Medical, located in a medical clinic in the Scarborough neighborhood. The clinic is situated conveniently near major healthcare facilities, including Scarborough Health Network Hospital, allowing seamless coordination for complex surgical procedures. Patients can access the clinic easily via local public transit routes, and the facilities are wheelchair accessible, ensuring comfort and privacy. The clinic and hospital offer ample parking options in hospital-affiliated lots and nearby public parking facilities, making it convenient for patients and visitors to attend appointments and procedures. The environment is professional, dedicated to providing advanced vascular care in a welcoming setting.
- Does Dr. Asseldonk create or manage access for kidney dialysis?
- Indeed. Vascular surgeons like Dr. Asseldonk are specialists in establishing and preserving hemodialysis access. This involves surgically creating AV fistulas (connecting an artery to a vein) or implanting AV grafts. Dr. Asseldonk also treats problems that can arise with these access sites to ensure they remain functional for dialysis patients.
- What are some common conditions treated by Dr. Asseldonk?
- As a Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Asseldonk manages many conditions involving blood vessels. These frequently include blockages in arteries (atherosclerosis) affecting the legs, neck, or abdomen; aneurysms (weak, bulging arteries); problems with veins such as varicose veins or blood clots (DVT); and creating or repairing sites for dialysis access.
- What does a Vascular Surgeon like Dr. Asseldonk specialize in?
- A Vascular Surgeon, such as Dr. Asseldonk, is a highly trained specialist who diagnoses, treats, and manages conditions affecting the arteries, veins, and lymphatic system – collectively known as the vascular system. This excludes vessels of the heart and brain, which are typically managed by cardiologists/cardiac surgeons and neurologists/neurosurgeons respectively. Dr. Asseldonk is skilled in a range of treatments including medical management, minimally invasive endovascular procedures, and open surgical reconstructions. A Vascular Surgeon, specializing in the diagnosis and comprehensive management of diseases affecting the arteries, veins, and lymphatic system, utilizing medical, endovascular, and open surgical techniques.
- What is the difference between endovascular and open surgery, and does Dr. Asseldonk perform both?
- Open vascular surgery requires a larger incision to expose the blood vessel for repair. Endovascular procedures are less invasive, using catheters and wires inserted through small access points to treat the problem from inside the vessel with balloons or stents. Dr. Asseldonk is likely proficient in both techniques and will determine the most appropriate method for your situation, considering factors like the location and severity of the disease, and your fitness for surgery.
- What is the typical recovery after vascular surgery or an endovascular procedure by Dr. Asseldonk?
- The recovery period after a vascular intervention with Dr. Asseldonk depends heavily on whether it's an open surgery or an endovascular (minimally invasive) procedure. Endovascular treatments usually mean a shorter hospital stay and a faster return to normal activities. Open surgeries, such as an open aortic aneurysm repair, are more extensive and require a longer convalescence. Dr. Asseldonk will discuss your specific expected recovery timeline.
- When should I be referred to a Vascular Surgeon like Dr. Asseldonk?
- Referral to a Vascular Surgeon like Dr. Asseldonk is typically indicated if you have symptoms or diagnostic findings suggestive of significant arterial or venous disease. This might include: pain in your legs when walking (claudication), non-healing sores on your feet or legs, a diagnosis of an aortic or peripheral aneurysm, symptoms of a TIA ('mini-stroke') potentially related to carotid artery disease, severe varicose veins with complications, or problems with your dialysis access. Your family doctor or another specialist will usually make the referral.
Toronto West Medical
502-3030 Lawrence Ave E
Scarborough, ON M1P 2T7
Clinic Phone: (416) 261-7700 | Clinic Fax: (416) 261-1735
The clinic and affiliated hospital facilities are wheelchair accessible and designed for patient comfort and privacy.
Dr. Asseldonk is a licensed Vascular Surgeon regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and Medicine Act, 1991 in ON. A referral from a family physician or another specialist is generally required for a consultation with Dr. Asseldonk for services covered by the provincial health plan (Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)).
Verify Dr. Asseldonk's registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Van-Asseldonk-Brandon-James/0325344-115594