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Heart and Vascular Care

Vascular Surgery

Traditional and minimally invasive endovascular procedures

Request an Appointment Vascular Surgeons Why See a Surgeon? Types of Surgery Risk Factors

Request an Appointment

The Vascular Surgery team at ChristianaCare are leaders in treating all conditions of the veins and arteries. They offer a full spectrum of care for Peripheral Artery Disease, Aortic Aneurysms and more. 

To request an appointment, complete the form below or call us at 302-733-5700, prompt 2.

Vascular Surgeons

The vascular system is the entire network of veins and arteries that carry blood throughout the body, including the pump that drives the whole process — the heart.

Vascular surgeons are the ones who keep this system working smoothly (except for the heart itself), correcting issues and easing the symptoms they cause. They use a range of treatments, from traditional open surgeries to modern, minimally invasive procedures. Whenever possible, they even treat patients without any surgery at all, using medication and lifestyle changes alone.

Their jurisdiction is from the neck down — the only arteries and veins they don’t treat are in the brain. These are handled by other specialists.

Why Should I See a Vascular Surgeon?

Vascular surgeons don’t just perform procedures — they’re partners in your vascular health. If you’re experiencing symptoms, they can help you determine the cause and determine the best course of action. Make sure to maintain a relationship with your primary care provider and consult with them about your health complications to ensure that seeing a vascular surgeon is right for you. Some signs that it’s time to talk to someone are:

Leg pain while walking.

Also known as claudication, this often means that the legs aren’t getting enough blood.

Sudden blurred vision, tingling or numbness on one side of the body.

These are often signs you’ve had a stroke. This is a medical emergency, and you should seek help immediately to minimize lasting damage. A vascular surgeon, in cooperation with a full stroke team, will be the one who treats you when you arrive at the hospital.

Swollen, aching or discolored legs.

These are all caused by diseases in the veins, including varicose veins and spider veins. While cosmetic, they are uncomfortable, and can be caused by an underlying vascular condition.

Sudden abdominal or back pain.

These symptoms can be life-threatening when it results from an aneurysm—a weakening and ballooning of an arterial wall—that has ruptured. It's important to monitor and address these symptoms over time to ensure they don't worsen. Note: Not all aneurysms have symptoms and can only be detected through screening.

Two of the conditions we most commonly treat are peripheral arterial disease — a narrowing or blockage of arteries, and abdominal aortic aneurysm — a swelling or bulge in the wall of the aorta.

For these and many other diseases, surgery can improve your overall health and quality of life, making it the ideal next step in treatment. Other times, lifestyle changes and medication alone can suffice. A consultation with one of our vascular surgeons can help you make an informed decision, together. Talk with your primary care provider about any symptoms you may experience. If appropriate, they may refer you for treatment, or you may book an appointment directly with our vascular team.

The Two Types of Vascular Surgery

The list of vascular procedures our surgeons use is varied. But they all fall under two categories. Note that these aren’t the only options to treat a vascular condition. In fact, many times, surgery isn’t the best solution.

  • Open surgery: The more traditional approach, done through larger incisions to give the surgeon greater access to the affected area.
  • Endovascular surgery: More modern, minimally invasive procedures that use the blood vessels themselves as access points to the affected area. Tiny incisions, and tiny scars.
Procedures our vascular surgeons perform include:
  • Carotid artery surgery.
  • Lower limb revascularization.
  • Endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms.
  • Varicose vein treatment.

Other Reasons You May Want to Consult a Vascular Surgeon

For patients who haven’t yet developed a vascular disease, but are at increased risk of doing so, an early consultation can help prevent developing one — treat one early before it worsens.

Risk factors include:

  • Advanced age.
  • Family history.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Unhealthy lifestyle factors like smoking, obesity, or lack of physical activity.

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Interested in a Consultation?

Speak with your primary care provider about your symptoms, and they may refer you. Or reach out to us directly and we’ll put you in touch with one of our vascular surgeons.

ChristianaCare Vascular Specialists

Center for Heart & Vascular Health
4755 Ogletown-Stanton Road
Suite 1E20
Newark, DE 19713

Get directions and find out more
Call 302-733-5700, prompt 2