Vascular Surgery

Vascular surgery involves medical interventions to improve the function of blood vessels that make up the peripheral vascular system (also called the circulatory system). The peripheral vascular system includes all arteries, veins and capillaries other than those of the head and heart. Vascular surgery also addresses problems of the lymphatic system, a network of vessels running alongside the vascular system. The lymphatic system helps to return fluids to the blood and is involved in immune function.

At UC Irvine Medical Center, our team of vascular surgeons provides complete care for patients with vascular problems, from diagnosis to surgery and long-term follow-up care.

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Vascular Function

Including capillaries, the human vascular system is more than 60,000 miles in length. With such an extensive system, many minor and serious conditions can affect vascular function.  One of the most common is peripheral vascular disease (also called peripheral artery disease), caused by atherosclerosis, a buildup of fatty material called plaque.  Also known as hardening of the arteries, the accumulation of plaque causes many vascular problems.  These can begin with a stenosis (narrowing of the artery), which can lead to an aneurysm (ballooning), a rupture and thrombosis (blood clot), and ultimately an infarction (blockage of the blood supply which can cause tissue death).  When the heart is affected, it is called a myocardial infarction.

We treat the full spectrum of vascular problems, including:

• Aortic aneurysms
• Carotid disease (blockage of arteries that lead to the brain)
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Hyperhidrosis (excessive arm/hand sweating)
• Lymphedema (swelling)
• Peripheral vascular/peripheral artery disease
• Pulmonary embolism
• Side effects from diabetes
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Varicose veins

Technologies

As a university-based medical center–and the only such center in Orange County–we utilize technologically innovative systems and equipment for imaging and surgery, including:

• 64-slice scanner for noninvasive detection of atherosclerosis
• Two cardiac catheterization laboratories
• 3-D interactive imaging for planning aneurysm repair procedures
• State-of-the-art operating room with the robotic da Vinci™ Surgical System

Advanced Procedures

In addition to all standard surgeries, advanced vascular procedures are available at UC Irvine Medical Center, including:

• Carotid artery stenting
• Stent graft repair
• Thoracoscopic sympathectomy
• Vascular access surgeries

Our emphasis on minimally invasive techniques helps to reduce trauma and shorten hospital stays.

Holistic Care

In addition to diagnosis and surgery, our physicians provide services that treat the whole patient.  These may include prescribing medications to prevent disease, as well as lifestyle changes including diet, exercise, smoking cessation and other proactive steps that can help ward off the need for further interventions.

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