Our approach to vascular care
The circulatory system is complex and is integral to other systems within the body. Treating vascular disease requires input from multiple medical specialties. Mass General Brigham is home to one of the only multidisciplinary teams in the country with expertise in every aspect of vascular disease. Our team includes vascular and endovascular surgeons, vascular medicine specialists, cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, specialized nurses, researchers, educators, and other specialists — all passionate about delivering exceptional care.
As leaders in integrating medical research with clinical care, we are at the forefront of vascular research, medical discovery, clinical trials, and the development of technology and techniques to help you recover faster and enjoy your life again. We use state-of-the-art imaging technology to quickly and accurately diagnose vascular diseases. Once you’ve been diagnosed, we help you understand your condition and treatment options, which can include medication management, minimally invasive (endovascular) therapies, and conventional open surgery.
Our team is here to support your recovery and long-term vascular health.
Vascular diseases we treat
From diagnosis to treatment and recovery, we make sure you can access the care you need quickly and conveniently. Our vascular specialists collaborate closely with other experts across Mass General Brigham to develop customized treatment plans for all types of aortic, arterial, and venous diseases, including:
- Aortic aneurysms and dissections
- Carotid artery disease
- Chronic venous insufficiency (venous reflux)
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Lymphedema
- Median arcuate ligament syndrome
- Peripheral aneurysm
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Pulmonary embolism (PE)
- Renal and mesenteric arterial disease
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Thrombophlebitis
- Varicose veins
- Vasculitis
- Venous disease
How we treat vascular disease
At Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular, our treatment plans are informed by the latest medical research and designed to provide the best possible results. Vascular disease can be treated in a number of ways, and your doctor will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your needs.
Vascular disease can be treated through:
- Advanced therapies
- Emerging and experimental treatments
- Lifestyle modifications
- Medications
- Minimally invasive procedures
- Preventative and supportive care
- Surgical treatments
If your treatment goes beyond medication, our team offers conventional open vascular surgery options and endovascular procedures designed to reduce recovery time and improve outcomes. Our surgeons and interventionalists are highly experienced in all available vascular procedures, including:
- Aneurysm surgery
- Angioplasty and stenting
- Arterial bypass surgery
- Arterial endarterectomy
- Dialysis access
- Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair
- Endovenous ablation
- Sclerotherapy
- Thrombectomy
- Thrombolysis
- Venous ligation
- Vein stripping
What is vascular disease?
Vascular disease is an umbrella term for all medical conditions affecting the blood vessels of the circulatory system outside of the brain and heart. It includes aortic and arterial diseases, like atherosclerosis, and venous diseases, like deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
At Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular, heart care and vascular care are closely related, but they focus on different parts of the circulatory system. While our team works together to provide comprehensive care, some focus specifically on heart conditions, while others specialize in vascular health.
Heart care
Heart care focuses on conditions that directly affect the heart, such as:
Our heart care team includes cardiologists and cardiac surgeons who provide treatments like:
- Medication
- Pacemakers and other implantable devices
- Catheter-based interventions (angioplasty, stents, some valve repairs)
- Open-heart surgery (e.g., bypass surgery, some valve repair)
Vascular care
Vascular care focuses on the blood vessels outside the heart and brain, including the arteries and aorta, the veins, and lymphatic vessels. Our vascular care team treats conditions such as:
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Varicose veins
- Aneurysms
- Carotid artery disease
Vascular specialists and surgeons offer treatment options that include:
- Medical management
- Minimally invasive procedures (e.g., angioplasty, stenting, sclerotherapy)
- Surgical interventions (e.g., bypass surgery, aneurysm repair)
Vascular medicine focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and non-surgical treatment of vascular diseases using medications, lifestyle changes, and minimally invasive procedures like angioplasty or stenting. It addresses conditions such as peripheral artery disease, deep vein thrombosis, and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) through medical management and interventions that do not require open surgery.
Vascular surgery, on the other hand, involves operative procedures to repair, remove, or bypass diseased blood vessels. It is used for more advanced vascular conditions, including aneurysm repair, carotid endarterectomy, bypass surgery, and vein stripping. While vascular medicine aims to manage and slow disease progression, vascular surgery is necessary for cases requiring structural repair or reconstruction.
Vascular disease is treated in several ways, including lifestyle modifications like wearing compression socks, prescription medications such as anticoagulants or blood thinners, and surgery.
At Mass General Brigham, our vascular team includes experts in both conventional open surgery and minimally invasive endovascular procedures. Both provide excellent results. The difference is in how the surgeon accesses your blood vessels:
- Vascular surgery is an open surgery that involves incisions and anesthesia.
- Endovascular therapy is a minimally invasive approach to treat a specific problem inside the blood vessels. Instead of making a large cut, the doctor accesses the vessel through a small puncture in the vessel wall.
The term vascular refers to anything related to blood vessels, and endo- means “inside.” The tools used in endovascular therapies enter the body and the blood vessels through a tiny plastic tube, called a catheter, that is typically inserted into a vessel in the groin area.
