Vascular Disease (Peripheral Artery Disease)

Vascular disease is any condition that affects the circulatory system, or blood vessels outside the heart and brain.

The most common vascular disease is peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is the buildup of fat and cholesterol deposits (plaque) on the inside of the blood vessels outside of the heart. This plaque can restrict the blood flow in the arteries. Advanced cases are at risk for gangrene and amputation, and increase the risk for heart attacks and strokes.

Virtua's board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons specialize in minimally invasive surgical techniques that treat patients with vascular conditions such as aneurysms. Vascular problems occur in veins and arteries throughout the entire body. Virtua's vascular surgeons perform procedures such as the resection, reconstruction, repair or biopsy of:

• Carotid arteries
• Abdominal aorta
• Femoral arteries
• Renal arteries
• Venous access for renal dialysis

Virtua also specializes in the following vascular surgery procedures:

• Carotid angioplasty and stenting
• Carotid artery surgery 
• Carotid endarterectomy
• Emergency and elective abdominal aortic aneurysm minimally invasive or traditional surgery
• Stenting as a bridge to surgery or for the relief of pain and symptoms. Examples of stenting include esophageal stenting and airway stenting.
• Peripheral artery repair
• Laser treatment for varicose veins
• Venous thrombosis