What EXACTLY is a Vascular Surgeon?

What EXACTLY is a Vascular Surgeon?

Vascular surgeons are surgeons specializing in arterial and vascular issues. 

Let’s take a moment to break that down. 

First, vascular surgeons are highly trained surgeons specialized in treating the vascular system. Up until recently, board certified vascular surgeons completed medical school, residency in general surgery, and  vascular fellowships where they completed vascular surgery speciality training. This training program culminated in over 12 years of training ending with a specific focus on the vascular system. Today, there are new integrated vascular surgery programs popping up around the nation which allow medical residents to begin vascular surgery training earlier, and therefore their training is now shorter. 

What’s vascular, you ask?  

The vascular system is comprised of three parts of the human body: arteries, veins, and capillaries. Arteries carry nutrients and oxygen-rich blood from the heart and throughout the body. The largest artery is the aorta, which stems from the heart, continues through the abdomen, and branches into smaller arteries as they travel throughout the body, eventually becoming the smallest capillaries which provide oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to every inch of the body.  

Veins do the heavy lifting. 

Once arteries and capillaries have delivered blood all the way down to the tip of our big toe, veins are responsible for getting the blood which is now oxygen-deficient, holding carbon dioxide, and other waste back to the right atrium and ventricle of the heart, and lungs for recycling and recharging. 

Getting blood back up to the heart from the lower extremities (your toes and legs), is no easy task. The pressure of heart compressions is not strong enough to return the blood to the heart against the pull of gravity. Because of this, veins aren’t simple vessel-like tubes like arteries. Veins have an extra feature; flaps. These flaps are responsible for keeping blood from sliding back against the pull of gravity as blood travels back up the legs and to the heart. 

What does a vascular surgeon do? 

So now that you’re familiar with the vascular system, let’s get an understanding of what a vascular surgeon like Dr. Bradley Hill does. 

When there are issues within the vascular system, a variety of symptoms may occur: pain, swelling, redness, numbness, cold hand/foot, open wounds, gangrene, varicose veins, etc.  A vascular surgeon will assess these symptoms outlining a diagnostic plan which may include studies such as vascular ultrasounds, MRI, and CT scans, before diagnosing and formulating a tailored treatment plan. 

Vascular studies may diagnose issues such as clots, venous reflux, arterial blockages, aneurisms, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), or venous insufficiencies. 

When non-invasive treatments and therapies aren’t valid solutions, vascular surgeons may turn to minimally invasive or open procedures. For example,  vascular surgeons can use a variety of minimally invasive treatments to treat varicose veins caused by venous reflux (the inability of the vein flaps to close properly).  

Additionally, vascular surgeons can deploy stents to help reinforce weakened walls of aneurysms  or keep collapsing veins open through small punctures near the groin. Artherectomies (plaque removal from an artery, vein , or vessel) are accomplished in the same minimally invasive manner. 

For hemodialysis patients,  vascular surgeons are an integral part of their team along with their nephrologists. Vascular surgeons, provide hemodialysis access points called  AV fistulas, and the necessary maintenance and touch-ups to the access points as a needed.

These are just a few of the types of symptoms and circumstances a vascular surgeon treats. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these issues or pain, contact Hill Vascular & Vein Center to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hill . We’d love to partner with you for better vascular health.