Vascular Disease

Vascular disease is a term that refers to diseases of the blood vessels, which include the arteries, veins, lymph vessels, and capillaries that make up the circulatory system. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to all parts of the body, and veins return the blood back to the heart. Vascular disease can block blood flow anywhere in the body. Vascular disease is common, especially with age, and it can be serious. It can lead to disability, amputation, organ damage, and death.

Vascular disease ranges from conditions of the arteries, veins, and lymph vessels to blood disorders that affect circulation. There are many types of vascular disease. They may cause arteries to narrow, harden, or become blocked with a sticky material called plaque, which decreases the amount of blood and oxygen supplied to the body. Symptoms of vascular disease depend on the affected location, which can include arteries in the heart, brain, and legs. Treatment depends on the type of condition and the severity.

Why UAB

UAB Medicine’s vascular specialists provide expert treatment of all types of circulatory conditions using a broad range of services, including medical therapy, minimally invasive endovascular procedures, and open surgical reconstruction. Our specialty-trained surgeons and physicians are leaders in their field and have excellent track records in treating some of the most complex vascular diseases and conditions. That expertise is backed by the latest and most advanced technology, facilities, and treatment options, as well as our dedication to patient-centered care. A wide range of specialists work together through the UAB Advanced Limb Preservation program to prevent the need for amputation, preserve maximum function in the lower limbs in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD), and treat associated medical conditions such as diabetes.

Our vascular experts confer extensively with each patient to determine a specific diagnosis and treatment plan based on medical history, physical exam, and a variety of non-invasive testing that includes ultrasound, Doppler with plethysmography, CT scans, and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). We also employ three-dimensional overlay fusion technology, in which pre-operative imaging is overlaid with images captured during surgery, providing greater accuracy and improved outcomes. In addition, we maintain an operating room designed specifically for vascular therapies, where we perform “hybrid” procedures that combine both open surgery and minimally invasive endovascular techniques and maximize the benefits of both.

As a major academic medical center, UAB maintains an active research program that also manages clinical trials. Our commitment to innovation and discovery often means that patients have access to advanced new treatments long before they are available to the general public.

Images and Videos

What is peripheral artery disease, and what can be done to treat it?

Take a video tour of the UAB Heart & Vascular Clinic at Acton Road.

PHYSICIANS

Firas Al Solaiman, MD

Constantine L. Athanasuleas, MD

Adam W. Beck, MD

James E. Davies Jr., MD

Brent Haverstock, MD

William L. Holman, MD

Marc A. Passman, MD

Mark A. Patterson, MD

Benjamin J. Pearce, MD

Sara J. Pereira, MD

Mohammed Sarraf, MD

Emily L Spangler, MD

CLINICAL TRIALS

UAB is an active participant in research and clinical trials for the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease. We encourage you to speak to your physician about research and clinical trial options and browse the link below for more information.

View Clinical Trials