Vascular Medicine and Surgery

From prevention and diagnosis to minimally invasive treatments, you can expect the highest quality vascular care from Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute – a national leader, right here in the Carolinas.

As one of the region’s highest volume vascular programs, we perform more than 2,500 procedures each year. This means we’re experienced with every type and stage of vascular disease affecting the arteries, lymphatic system and veins – and we can give you the best chance of an excellent outcome.

To schedule an appointment with one of our vascular specialists, call 704-512-5734.

Learn more about vascular disease in our FAQ section. 

Why choose us? 

• Leading expertise: We’re a designated Center of Excellence for multiple vascular procedures, including aortic stenting, peripheral vascular interventions, transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), venous stenting and skin substitute wound care.
• Innovative treatments: We provide the most advanced vascular technology and treatments available. For instance, our team was the first in the world to repair thoracic aortic aneurysms by implanting a branched stent graft – a procedure that’s only available in select locations around the country.
• Breakthrough research: We offer access to the latest clinical trials and investigational devices that often aren’t available elsewhere in the region. 
• Top outcomes: As one of the region’s highest volume vascular programs, handling the area’s most complex cases, we consistently demonstrate better outcomes than the national average.
• Nationally recognized care: As a leader for thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), we’re one of the top 5 in the nation when it comes to performing this intricate surgery.

Team approach 

We’re committed to providing the best possible care, which includes delivering timely and accurate diagnoses and therapies. To achieve this, we work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that includes education and peer support groups. We also establish strong partnerships with referring physicians to ensure a seamless transition of care and coordinated treatments. 

Our care team includes:

• Vascular surgeons
• Cardiologists
• Interventional cardiologists
• Nurse practitioners
• Physician assistants
• Nurse navigators

What to expect from your first appointment 

Whether you need treatment for varicose veins or have a damaged blood vessel that needs to be replaced, we’ll work with you to develop a customized treatment plan. Here's what you can expect before, during and after your first appointment.

• Before your appointment: Ask your provider to send us your records, including your medical history, test results and images (such as an echocardiogram, chest X-ray or MRI).
• During your appointment: You will meet with a vascular specialist who will review your records and medical history, do a physical exam, discuss your test results, and provide a comprehensive assessment, including your treatment plan. 
• After your appointment: Depending on your condition and treatment plan, you may be scheduled for surgery or further testing. Your nurse will reach out with specific follow-up instructions.  

Conditions treated 

We treat the full spectrum of vascular diseases, including but not limiting to the following conditions:

• Aortic disease
  • Aortic aneurysm (bursting of aorta)
  • Aortic dissection (tearing of aorta)
• Carotid artery disease
  • Carotid stenosis (narrowing of arteries)
  • Stroke
  • Carotid artery dissection (tearing)
  • Carotid body tumor
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
  • Claudication (leg pain when walking due to lack of blood flow)
  • Aortoiliac occlusive disease (blockage of the aorta and iliac arteries)
  • Lower extremity ischemia facing amputation
  • Non-healing leg or foot wounds
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Nutcracker Syndriome
• Mesenteric Ischeia
• Renal Artery Stenosis
• Fibromuscular dysplasia 
• Venous disease
  • May-Thurner syndrome (compression of left iliac vein)
  • Complications of venous stents
  • Chronic deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  • Post-thrombotic syndrome (pain following DVT)
  • Acute deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in deep vein)
  • Symptomatic varicose veins (pain due to enlarged veins)
  • Chronic venous insufficiency (blood pooling due to damaged veins)
  • Venous leg ulcers (leg sores due to poor blood circulation)
  • Inferior vena cava (IVC) atresia (narrowing of IVC)
  • Pelvic congestion syndrome (pooling of blood in pelvic veins)
  • Ovarian vein reflux (blood flows backward in ovarian vein)
  • Lymphedema 

Vascular surgery and treatments 

We specialize in treating all types of vascular disease – ranging from the simplest cases to the most complex. We also create individualized treatment plans that are tailored to your unique circumstances, ensuring you receive the best possible care. 

Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

With some of the nation’s top surgical outcomes, we repair and treat abdominal aortic aneurysms with breakthrough treatments.

• Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) - a minimally invasive procedure that involves placing a stent (small mesh tube) within the enlarged part of the abdominal aorta, sealing the aneurysm off from the inside 
• Fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (FEVAR) - a minimally invasive procedure that involves the placement of a custom-designed stent graft with small openings to allow blood flow to the vital organs while sealing off the weakened portion of the aorta
• Open surgical repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm - involves an incision in the abdomen to access the aorta; the diseased portion of the aorta is removed and replaced with a graft (that serves as a new artery) to restore normal blood flow

Aortic dissection procedure 

Aortic dissection is a condition in which the inner layer of the aorta tears, causing blood to flow between the layers of the aortic wall. This can lead to life-threatening complications. Often, we treat this condition with the TEVAR procedure and are a top-5 program for national TEVAR volumes, which means we offer unmatched expertise. Here’s more on TEVAR:

• Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) - a minimally invasive procedure that involves placing a stent (small mesh tube) within the torn part of the aorta to prevent further tearing or rupture

Carotid artery disease procedures

We offer a variety of treatments to remove or bypass blockages in the carotid arteries. We’ve also been named a TCAR Center of Excellence – a testament to our top outcomes for this procedure. We offer:

• Transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) - a hybrid procedure that involves temporarily reversing blood flow away from the brain to protect it from loose plaque, and placing a stent (small mesh tube) in the artery to relieve the blockage  
• Carotid endarterectomy - involves making an incision on the neck and opening the carotid artery to remove plaque within the artery wall and improve blood flow
• Carotid stenting - a minimally invasive procedure that involves placing a stent in the carotid artery to open the blocked area and stabilize the plaque within the artery 

Complete care for peripheral artery disease (PAD)

To help you maintain an active lifestyle and lower your risk of cardiovascular complications, we develop a customized treatment plan to care for PAD. We offer:

• Medical therapy to reduce your symptoms
• PAD rehabilitation
• Help to quit smoking
• Advanced, non-invasive diagnostic tests 
• Minimally invasive therapies, including angioplasty to widen narrow blood vessels, stenting to open blockages, and atherectomy to remove plaque and restore blood flow
• Surgical techniques, including endarterectomy to remove plaque and widen blocked arteries, and surgical bypass to reroute blood flow around blocked blood vessels

Limb salvage therapies

Our diverse team of specialists works together to identify and manage risk factors that could potentially lead to the loss of limb function or amputation. We offer:

• Medical management of conditions, like hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol
• Smoking cessation programs
• Skin substitute wound care to accelerate healing in non-healing or slow-healing wounds
• Specialized wound care centers with hyperbaric treatment and podiatry care
• Orthotics equipment to help support and protect your limb

We also have personalized treatment options for individuals with critical limb ischemia, a severe form of peripheral vascular disease that often results in leg amputation. Our efforts have led to a 60% decrease in preventable amputations and a 72% lower rate of unexpected readmissions compared to the national average. 

Venous procedures

We’re leaders in preventing, diagnosing and treating all types of vein complications and offer a variety of procedures to treat issues like blood clots, blockages and varicose veins. Here are of the most common procedures we perform:

• Iliac vein stenting - a minimally invasive procedure that involves placing a stent (small mesh tube) into the iliac vein to expand it and improve blood flow

• Inferior vena cava (IVC) stenting - a minimally invasive procedure that involves placing a stent into the IVC to open the vein and improve blood flow
• Inferior vena cava (IVC) reconstruction - involves repairing a damaged or blocked IVC by removing a portion of the vein and replacing it with a graft, or using stents to open the vein and improve blood flow
• Open venous surgery - involves making incisions in the skin to access the vein and remove scar tissue or stents; often additional venous stenting is done as well
• Varicose vein procedures - typically involves minimally invasive techniques to close off leaking veins; removal of varicose veins may also be performed alongside these procedures
• Ulcer bed sclerotherapy - involves ultrasound guidance and injecting a solution into the ulcer to promote healing and improve blood flow in venous leg ulcers

Clinical trials

We conduct a variety of clinical trials to bring you the latest treatment options – which often aren’t available anywhere else in the region. 

Interested in a clinical trial?

Talk to your doctor or call us at 704-373-0212. You can also find more information on our cardiology research page.

Make a referral 

When you refer a patient to us, we keep you involved and informed throughout the treatment process.

If you’re a potential patient, a self-referral is only necessary if it’s required by your health insurance provider.

If you’re a physician, medical professional or you need to self-refer, please call 704-512-5734.