Vascular and Endovascular Surgery

Ochsner vascular and endovascular surgeons help with issues in your blood vessels that carry blood around your body. The same type of blockages that can build up in your heart and cause a heart attack can also happen throughout your body. These buildups of plaque can lead to aneurysm, stroke, kidney disease and serious problems in your legs and arms, including peripheral artery disease.

Vascular disease is more than the hardening of arteries outside of your heart. It can involve weak veins, blood clots, infections or other issues due to genetics or lifestyle. Treatment for these conditions doesn't always mean surgery. Ochsner's vascular experts can assist you with lifestyle changes, medicines, non-surgical procedures, and surgery as needed. We personalize treatment plans for each patient and make sure you understand all your options.

Ochsner vascular surgeons operate on blood vessels throughout your body, except for the brain or the heart. Most modern surgery to treat vascular disease is endovascular, or minimally invasive. This means you will have smaller scars and a quicker recovery period. Some types of endovascular surgical procedures are outpatient, meaning you can go home the same day.

When endovascular surgery is not an option, our surgeons use open surgical techniques but will always take a conservative approach. Our vascular surgeons also work closely with specialists in the Heart and Vascular Institute and across the Ochsner network, including:

• Cardiac anesthesia
• Cardiothoracic surgery
• Interventional cardiology
• Interventional radiology
• Vascular medicine

Ochsner vascular and endovascular surgeons treat a wide range of vascular diseases, including:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Abdominal vascular disease - blockages in the arteries in the abdomen that prevent blood from reaching the intestines
• Carotid artery disease - blockages in the vessels that take blood to your brain
• Carotid artery occlusive disease/carotid stenosis - narrowing or blockages in the carotid artery
• Deep venous thrombosis - a blood clot in one of the body’s deep veins, usually the leg
• Kidney disease
• May-Thurner syndrome - an artery presses against a vein in your pelvis and keeps blood from flowing as it should
• Peripheral artery disease - blockages in the vessels that take blood to the legs from the heart
• Poor circulation
• Slow-healing wounds
• Spider veins
• Thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm - a bulging or weakness in the aorta
• Thoracic outlet syndrome - compression of nerves or blood vessels that cause pain or numbness in the neck, shoulders or fingers
• Varicose veins
• Vascular infections and injuries
• Venous insufficiency - the veins in the legs don’t properly send blood back to the heart

Our state-of-the-art vascular laboratory offers advanced diagnostic imaging and equipment to help diagnose vascular conditions. In many situations, we offer appointments with providers and imaging on the same day, saving you a trip to the hospital.

Ochsner vascular and endovascular specialists use minimally invasive and open surgical procedures such as:

• Abdominal vascular disease treatments, including angioplasty, stenting, bypass and embolectomy
• Aortic procedures, including endovascular aneurysm repairs and aorta-bi-femoral bypass
• Carotid artery occlusive disease treatment, including endarterectomy, transcarotid artery revascularization, trans-femoral carotid stenting and open surgery
• Dialysis-related procedures, including arteriovenous fistula or graft creation, catheter placement and access maintenance
• Endovenous laser ablation for venous insufficiency
• Lower limb revascularization
• Microphlebectomy for varicose veins
• Peripheral artery disease treatments, including endovascular balloon angioplasty, intra-vascular lithotripsy, thrombectomy, bypass and wound care
• Sclerotherapy for spider veins
• Venous disease treatment, including angioplasty, thrombectomy and inferior vena cava filter placement

Whether you need surgical treatment for a minor vascular problem or a life-threatening one, trust the Ochsner vascular specialists with your care.

Vascular and endovascular surgery involves treating conditions affecting blood vessels outside the brain and heart. Endovascular procedures are minimally invasive and often result in smaller scars and quicker recovery times, while vascular surgery may address more complex cases when necessary.

Our team specializes in a wide range of conditions, including peripheral artery disease (PAD), abdominal aortic aneurysms, varicose veins, blood clots, carotid artery disease and venous insufficiency. We provide both minimally invasive and surgical options tailored to your needs.

Ochsner is nationally recognized for excellence in vascular care, with accolades like the Healthgrades Vascular Surgery Excellence Award. We use cutting-edge technology, offer access to clinical trials and create personalized treatment plans to achieve the best outcomes.

Not always. Many vascular conditions can be managed with lifestyle changes, medications and non-surgical procedures. Your treatment plan at Ochsner will be customized to explore the best options for you.

This depends on your insurance plan. While many patients can schedule directly, some insurance providers may require a referral from your primary care provider. Our scheduling team can guide you through the process.

Symptoms such as leg pain while walking, swollen veins, slow-healing wounds, numbness in extremities or a family history of vascular conditions warrant an evaluation from a vascular specialist.