Vascular Medicine

Overview

The Section of Vascular Medicine offers comprehensive care for diseases of the vascular system (blood vessels), peripheral artery disease (PAD), diffuse and premature atherosclerosis, venous diseases (venous stasis ulcers, deep vein thrombosis, varicose and spider veins) and conditions such as Raynaud's phenomenon, Pernio, Erythromelalgia, aortitis, giant cell aortitis, Takayasu arteritis, and Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD). Our specialists diagnose and manage arterial, venous and lymphatic disorders, as well as the acute and long-term care of patients with hyper-coagulable disorders.

Other specialized services include a Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT), Lower Extremity Wound Clinic, Peripheral Intervention Program and Thrombosis Center, Fibromuscular Dysplasia, Lymphedema and Lipedema Clinics, Inferior Vena Cava Filter Retrieval Clinic, Thrombosis Center and a Peripheral Intervention Program.

The Section of Vascular Medicine is home to one of the most active vascular laboratories, with more than 50,000 clinical studies performed per month.

In addition, the Cleveland Clinic Tomsich Family Department of Cardiovascular Medicine is not only one of the largest Vascular Medicine programs but also home to one of the largest Vascular Medicine Fellowship Programs in the United States.

What We Treat

Vascular conditions treated in the Section of Vascular Medicine include:

• Diffuse and premature atherosclerosis and lipid disorders.
• Peripheral artery diseases (PAD) of the lower extremity arteries.
• Renal Artery Disease.
• Mesenteric Artery Disease.
• Carotid Artery Disease.
• Aortitis.
• Giant Cell Aortitis.
• Takayasu arteritis.
• Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD).
• Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD).
• Cervical (Carotid or Vertebral) Artery Dissection.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis(DVT) of the upper and lower extremity.
• Chronic Venous Insufficiency.
• Varicose and Spider Veins.
• Superficial vein thrombosis.
• Pulmonary embolism.
• Thrombosis in unusual locations: cerebral, mesenteric, renal, splenic, hepatic and portal systems and ovarian vein thrombosis.
• Hypercoagulable states (also referred to as thrombophilia) including genetic and acquired conditions.
• Non- healing leg and foot ulcers and digital ulcers of the fingers and toes secondary to connective tissue disorders.
• Lipedema.
• Lymphedema.
• Other non-atherosclerotic conditions such as Buerger’s disease,  cold-induced vascular abnormalities (Raynaud’s disease and pernio) and warm induced (Erythromelalgia and erythema ab igne).
• Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).
• Other conditions such as swollen legs, pseudoaneurysms, atheroembolism.

Specialized clinics offered in the Section of Vascular Medicine

• The Thrombosis Center - A multidisciplinary center designed to diagnose and treat conditions related to thrombosis, often called hypercoagulable conditions, thrombophilia or blood clotting disorders. Thrombophilia or hypercoagulable conditions are generally due to several factors but may be genetic (inherited –Factor V Leiden or prothrombin gene mutation, protein C, S or antithrombin deficiency) or acquired conditions such as Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome, heparin induced thrombocytopenia, Warfarin skin necrosis, JAK 2 mutation and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, or those that develop following surgery, trauma, hospitalization, prolonged immobility and travel- airplane related).
• Lower Extremity Wound Clinic - Offers a specialized, multi-disciplinary approach for the treatment and secondary prevention of leg and foot ulcers. General podiatry care is also provided to patients with underlying arterial or venous insufficiency, lymphedema and other arterial and venous disorders. Learn more about the Wound Clinic.
• Peripheral Intervention Program - An active part of the Vascular Medicine Section. Our trained endovascular specialists are skilled in performing procedures on the coronary as well as the peripheral arteries to treat peripheral artery disease or PAD.
• Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) Spontaneous Coronary Dissection (SCAD) and Cervical Artery Dissection Clinic - A multidisciplinary team, including experts from vascular medicine, cardiology, vascular surgery, nephrology and genetics. The vascular medicine FMD/SCAD team works together with patients to best develop a treatment plan tailored to meet their needs. 
• IVC Filter Retrieval Clinic - dedicated to the care of patients who have potentially retrievable IVC filters.
• Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) - a multidisciplinary team developed to streamline the care with patients who have severe pulmonary embolism; designed for rapid response and treatment.
• Vascular Medicine Vein Care - Vascular Medicine vein specialists provide the following services:
  • Consultation with vascular/vein specialist.
  • State of the art vascular lab testing.
  • Endovenous thermal and chemical ablation.
  • Microincision ambulatory phlebectomy.
  • Liquid and foam sclerotherapy.
  • Gradient compression therapy.

Patients with varicose veins undergo a detailed ultrasound examination to assess the anatomy and identify the specific problem.

More complex vein cases are discussed with our vascular surgery colleagues as needed for a fully comprehensive review.

Non-Invasive vascular testing yields fast, accurate results

Our noninvasive vascular lab is IAC accredited, fully staffed with registered vascular technologists and provides services in both inpatient and outpatient areas. This high standard of quality ensures the accuracy of diagnostic information used by the doctor to formulate the best individualized treatment plan.

As one of the most active vascular laboratories in the United States, more than 4,000 clinical studies are performed per month. The lab is fully digitalized, with computer workstations to receive the immediate transfer of digital information at the time of examination, making physician review of critical images rapidly available.

Studies performed in our vascular laboratory include:

• Carotid artery ultrasound.
• Renal artery ultrasound.
• Aorta and peripheral artery ultrasound.
• Abdominal/ mesenteric artery ultrasound.
• Pulse volume recordings of the upper and lower extremities.
• Arterial physiological testing of both upper and lower extremities (respectively).
• Venous physiologic testing.
• Venous ultrasound of both the upper and lower extremities.
• Venous reflux testing.
• Vein mapping.
• Arterial mapping studies.
• Intra-operative duplex ultrasonography.
• Lower extremity graft surveillance.
• Vascular screening studies.

Why choose Cleveland Clinic for your care?

• Our outcomes speak for themselves. Please review our facts and figures and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

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Appointments

What to expect

Whether you are coming from around the corner or around the world, you want to know what to expect before, during and after your visit with us. If you have any questions while reviewing this information, please contact us. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

By phone

Call Toll-free 800.223.2273, ext. 44420 or submit an online request.

Directions

Go to Desk J3 - 5, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio.

• Door-to-door/valet directions.
• Door-to-garage directions.
• Travel Guide.

Online

Use our secure online form to submit an appointment request 24/7. We will receive it and follow-up with you as soon as possible.

• Submit an online request.

Physician referrals

Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (ET):
toll-free 800.223.2273, ext. 49162

• More info on referrals, transfers and critical care transport.

Virtual visit consultation

The Vascular Medicine Department offers virtual visit appointments. Virtual visits are offered to current patients if diagnosis and treatment plan allows. For some, this is a great way to receive an initial assessment and develop a preliminary treatment plan. Through a virtual visit consultation, it can be determined if conservative treatment like medications and other therapies may be needed and plan for your future visits.

Research

For Patients

Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute physicians, surgeons, and researchers continue to research into new treatments and therapies with the goal of improving patient care and outcomes into the future.

• More information on Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute Research

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials (or research studies) help us create the medicine of tomorrow. They provide hope through offering testing of new drugs, new surgical techniques or other treatments before they are widely available.

We can help you access hundreds of clinical trials across all specialty areas. Our new searchable online trials tool makes identifying treatment opportunities easier than ever.