Staffed by the Keck School of Medicine of USC Division of Vascular Surgery specialists and registered vascular technologists, the USC Center for Vascular Care at USC University Hospital offers a wide spectrum of preventive, diagnostic and treatment alternatives for patients with vascular disease. From preventive screenings to advanced vascular technology to some of the latest surgical techniques, the Center offers patients an individually-tailored approach to care where various options are considered when treating the disease process.

Emphasis on Prevention

Vascular disease is often silent until a catastrophic event, such as stroke or aneurysm rupture, occurs. Prevention and early detection are thus critical.

Accredited by ICAVL (Intersocietal Commission of Accredited Vascular Laboratories), the USCUH Noninvasive Vascular Laboratory boasts both a team of highly skilled registered vascular specialists and the sophisticated ultrasound equipment that enables non-invasive screening and diagnosis of vascular conditions.

The Laboratory's Vascular Screening Program offers a variety of non-invasive screenings for brain attack (stroke), atherosclerosis, hypertension and abdominal as well as brain aneurysms to help prevent the development of vascular disease before it would require major medical intervention including surgery. These screenings are particularly recommended for people with high-risk factors for vascular disease such as heredity, smoking, fat- and cholesterol-rich diet, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Please contact the Vascular Screening Program at (800) USC-CARE for more information about the screenings.

Treatment Expertise

The field of vascular surgery is at a crossroads. In the last four decades, vascular surgeons have accumulated substantial experience using traditional, open surgical techniques. On the other hand, innovative approaches which rely on non-invasive vascular imaging and minimally invasive ("endovascular") technology provide surgeons and patients with new treatment options.

Using their broad surgical experience as well as diagnostic information obtained with non-invasive and invasive testing, the USC Center for Vascular Care specialists select the appropriate treatment approach for each patient.

While vascular surgeons most commonly treat carotid, renal artery, lower extremity disease as well as aortic aneurysms, the Center's specialists also address less common diseases, like artheritis (an inflammation of arteries), acute traumatic vascular injuries, chronic arterial injuries and entrapment syndromes. Experienced in treating individuals with venous disease including varicose veins condition, they offer less scarring, partial varicose vein removal and VNUS Closure, a minimally invasive vein-closing procedure, where possible.

Open Surgery

The Center's surgeons possess advanced expertise in traditional, open vascular operations. Over the years, they have refined open surgical procedures to treat cerebrovascular, aortic, renal artery, upper and lower extremity vascular diseases.

Endovascular Surgery

The USC Center for Vascular Care specialists are well-trained in performing endovascular (operating from within the body) procedures. In some cases, damaged arteries can be opened with baloon angioplasty, thrombolysis (injections of clot-busting medication) and placement of stents. For example, the Center physicians now use a minimally invasive approach through small groin incisions to repair abdominal aortic aneurysms. A specially-designed graft is guided up through a blood vessel in a patient's leg into the aneurysm where it is placed to restore blood flow to the aorta.

Performed through a small puncture wound, endovascular surgery has met with favorable patient acceptance because the procedure allows for a smaller incision, use of local instead of general anesthesia, and faster recuperation time. Hospital stays are brief and patients may leave the following day.

Other Services

In addition to surgical treatment, the USC Center for Vascular Care physicians provide medical intervention, particularly in such conditions as deep venous thrombosis.

By referring patients to other USC University Hospital medical specialists such as diabetologists, neurologists, hematologists and cardiologists, our vascular team helps patients reduce the risks of vascular disease before a medical condition becomes life- or limb-threatening.

Research Endeavors

Capitalizing on the Keck School of Medicine of USC's leading position in gene transfer technology, our academically-based specialists are involved in developing gene therapy applications in vascular disease, e.g. placement of clot-dissolving protein vessels. Study and refinement of minimally invasive techniques, including stent graft technology, is another area of our research interests.

Both of these projects may lead to advancements in the care for patients with vascular disease.

Contact Information

For more information about the USC Center for Vascular Care and its services, or to schedule an appointment with our specialists, please call 1-888-700-5700, or visit the Keck School of Medicine of USC Division of Vascular Surgery website.