The Department of Vascular Surgery has emphasis on patient care and clinical education, as well as research in vascular disease. Faculty in vascular surgery have individual interests and expertise that provide patient care for all vascular diseases and conditions. These include peripheral arterial disease, carotid disease and visceral and renovascular disorders, as well as aneurysm disease of the thorax, abdomen and extremities. Minimally invasive techniques are routinely applied in the management of peripheral interventions as well as the management of aneurysms.
The Department of Vascular Surgery is part of the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute. This allows consolidation of clinical care for patients with cardiovascular disease in a single location with all specialists involved at-hand to maximize both patient care and educational experiences. An ICAVL-accredited noninvasive laboratory operates within Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute under the direction of Dr. Naslund as Medical Director. This laboratory supports noninvasive diagnostic efforts and ultrasound-directed vascular intervention.
Basic science research on enhancement of the patency of vascular bypass grafts has led to the identification of a protein that is felt to be involved with relaxation of smooth muscle associated with vascular bypass grafts and other smooth muscle tissue. These efforts, directed by Dr. Brophy and funded through NIH and the Veterans Administration, are being expanded through bioengineering collaborative efforts to develop therapeutic agents in the treatment of fibrosis, inflammatory disorders, and epithelial cancers.
The Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program consists of a two-year educational curriculum including research, noninvasive vascular laboratory, and operative and endovascular training. This will suit vascular surgeons who complete the program well to academic appointment.