Vascular surgery

Vascular surgery is a specialty of surgery in which diseases of the vascular system, or arteries and veins, are managed by medical therapy, minimally-invasive catheter procedures, and surgical reconstruction. The specialty evolved from general and cardiac surgery. Edwin Wylie of San Francisco was one of the early pioneers in the specialty who developed and fostered advanced training in vascular surgery and pushed for its recognition as a specialty in the United States in the 1960's and 1970's. The vascular surgeon is trained in the diagnosis and management of diseases affecting all parts of the vascular system except that of the heart and brain. Cardiothoracic surgeons manage surgical disease of the heart and its vessels. Neurosurgeons manage surgical disease of the vessels in the brain (eg intracranial aneurysms).

******************

OVERVIEW

Experienced vascular surgeons at Mayo Clinic offer comprehensive, diagnosis and repair for damaged or diseased blood vessels. Patients with vascular-related medical needs receive care from a team of specialists that may include cardiologists, neurologists and diagnostic radiologists. Mayo Clinic in Rochester has a special Vascular Center that brings together experts from many specialties in a physical space and using technology dedicated to treatment of patients with vascular disorders.

Specialty services offered through Vascular Surgery include:

• Doppler testing
• Endovascular surgical intervention such as angioplasty or stents
• Exercise assessment of the arterial circulation
• Hemodialysis access
• Invasive and noninvasive interventional techniques
• Lower extremity/limb salvage
• Measurement of cold sensitivity
• Plethysmographic studies
• Transcutaneous oxygen measurements
• Vascular surgery

Mayo surgeons have special training and certification in vascular surgery. There are two Mayo Clinic vascular surgeons in Jacksonville, Fla., six in Rochester, Minn. and two in Scottsdale, Ariz.