Vascular Surgery Services

An abdominal aortic aneurysm, also called AAA ("triple A"), occurs when the diameter of the part of the aorta running through the abdomen dilates to greater than 3 centimeters. About 90% of AAA's occur in the belly, below the arteries that feed the kidneys.

Ischemic disease of the lower extremities, also called leg ischemia, occurs when an artery in the legs is partially or completely blocked by plaque, limiting blood flow and reducing the amount of oxygen supplied to the heart.

When the vertebral arteries are not able to supply enough blood to the brain, patients may notice vertigo (room spins), dizziness (there are many causes of dizziness, vertebral artery narrowing is an uncommon cause), and fainting. This constellation of symptoms is called vertebral insufficiency.

Treatments and services in the University of Arizona Diabetic Foot Care Program include, endovascular therapy, leg bypass surgery, treatment for leg and foot infections, non-invasive vascular lab services and services through our prevention clinic.

Endovascular surgery is surgery performed inside a blood vessel or artery using microsurgery equipment and advanced imaging.

A stroke is when a portion of the brain dies because it does not get enough blood. This usually occurs from small pieces of plaque or clot that travel into the small arteries in the brain, and block the blood flow.

Vascular testing and evaluation is an integral component of vascular surgery practice. The Vascular Laboratory in the University of Arizona Department of Surgery provides information essential for patient evaluation and comprehensive long-term patient management.

Veins are part of the circulatory system. Blood is pumped by the heart through the arteries under high pressure and then returned back to the heart through veins under low pressure.