Vascular Surgery Overview

Study Notes

Vascular surgery is a surgical subspecialty that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and management of disorders related to the blood vessels, arteries, and veins.
Vascular surgeons treat a wide range of conditions, including aneurysms, atherosclerosis, arteriovenous malformations, and varicose veins.

Open surgery: traditional surgical approach where a large incision is made to access the affected blood vessel.
Endovascular surgery: minimally invasive procedure where a small incision is made and a catheter is used to navigate to the affected area.
Hybrid surgery: combination of open and endovascular techniques.

Aneurysms: balloon-like dilation of an artery due to weakening of the vessel wall.
Atherosclerosis: plaque buildup in the arteries, leading to narrowing or blockage.
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs): abnormal connections between arteries and veins.
Varicose veins: enlarged, twisted veins that can cause pain and discomfort.
Carotid artery disease: narrowing or blockage of the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD): narrowing or blockage of the peripheral arteries, which supply blood to the legs and arms.

Angioplasty: widening of a narrowed or blocked artery using a balloon-tipped catheter.
Stenting: placement of a small mesh tube (stent) to keep an artery open.
Endarterectomy: removal of plaque from an artery.
Bypass grafting: creation of a detour around a blocked artery using a graft.
Vein harvesting: removal of a healthy vein to use as a graft.

Vascular surgeons typically complete a general surgery residency and additional specialized training in vascular surgery.
Certification is obtained through the American Board of Surgery (ABS) or the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery (AOBS).

Deals with diagnosis, treatment, and management of disorders related to blood vessels, arteries, and veins.

Open surgery: large incision to access affected blood vessel.
Endovascular surgery: minimally invasive procedure with small incision and catheter navigation.
Hybrid surgery: combination of open and endovascular techniques.

Aneurysms: balloon-like dilation of an artery due to weakening of vessel wall.
Atherosclerosis: plaque buildup in arteries, leading to narrowing or blockage.
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs): abnormal connections between arteries and veins.
Varicose veins: enlarged, twisted veins causing pain and discomfort.
Carotid artery disease: narrowing or blockage of carotid arteries supplying blood to brain.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD): narrowing or blockage of peripheral arteries supplying blood to legs and arms.

Angioplasty: widening of narrowed or blocked artery using balloon-tipped catheter.
Stenting: placement of small mesh tube (stent) to keep artery open.
Endarterectomy: removal of plaque from artery.
Bypass grafting: creation of detour around blocked artery using graft.
Vein harvesting: removal of healthy vein for use as graft.

Vascular surgeons complete general surgery residency and specialized training in vascular surgery.
Certification obtained through American Board of Surgery (ABS) or American Osteopathic Board of Surgery (AOBS).