Roper St. Francis

Vascular care

At Roper St. Francis Healthcare, we focus on more than just your diagnosis — we find an approach that helps you live your healthiest life. As home to one of the nation’s longest-running vascular labs, our team brings decades of experience to every diagnosis and treatment plan.

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Specialty care for vein and artery conditions

Your vascular care team is here to listen, understand what you’re experiencing and help you feel your best again. That means we take the time to evaluate your symptoms, answer your questions and create a personalized care plan focused on your comfort, health and long-term well-being. 

Experience matters, especially in vascular diagnostics, since accurate testing is the foundation of effective treatment. With a long-standing commitment to quality and precision, our lab helps ensure you receive the right diagnosis and the right care plan from the start.

When you need more advanced vascular care — and it’s safe and appropriate for you — we use minimally invasive, catheter-based treatments done inside the blood vessels. This approach means a shorter hospital stay, fewer complications and a quicker recovery compared to open surgery. Our goal is to get you back to doing what matters most to you as quickly and safely as possible.

Recognized excellence in vascular care

Our team brings unmatched vascular expertise to the Lowcountry. As the oldest continuously operating vascular lab in the United States, our doctors and surgeons have been critical in developing vascular testing and treatment for nearly 80 years. We also have access to the region’s leading experts in chronic wound care and hyperbaric medicine.

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Nearly 80 years of vascular expertise

Conditions and treatments

We focus on minimally invasive procedures whenever it is safe and appropriate to do so. You can expect whole-person care, for all the ways a vascular condition may effect your life, available under one roof. 

Learn more about how we customize your treatment plan for you.

Spider veins

We treat many conditions that affect blood flow to your limbs and organs, including:

  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
  • Aortic aneurysm
  • Aortic occlusive disease
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Carotid artery disease 
  • Chronic venous insufficiency
  • Claudication 
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  • Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
  • Pulmonary embolism (PE)
  • Raynaud’s phenomenon
  • Renal vascular disease
  • Varicose veins (spider veins) and chronic venous insufficiency
Nurse takes blood pressure

Most patients undergo testing in our vascular lab before starting treatment, so we can develop a treatment plan tailored to their needs and goals.

Vascular tests often include ultrasounds, which check how blood flows through your body and detect narrowing of the arteries or veins (stenosis). Ultrasounds can also help us find and measure aneurysms.

We may also use arterial testing to check how blood is flowing through your arteries. During this test, we’ll place blood pressure cuffs on your arms and legs. This will help us see whether your blood pressure drops are in certain parts of your body. We often use this test to check for PAD.

Couple walking at sunset

Some patients may benefit from medical treatment for their vascular condition. If you have stenosis in your arteries that has not progressed to the point where surgery is necessary, we may refer you to our vascular medicine specialist. We may use vascular medicine treatments before recommending surgery.

Our vascular medicine program includes an internal medicine doctor who specializes in treating vascular conditions. This specialist works closely with your primary doctor and other specialists to develop a plan to reduce your risk for more serious vascular conditions, such as aneurysm or stroke. The plan may include:

  • Dietary changes
  • Medication
  • Structured walking program
  • Smoking cessation
Pharmacist hands patient prescription

We offer a full range of medical and surgical treatments. Sometimes, treatments such as medication and lifestyle changes improve vascular conditions. Other times, you may need a more advanced treatment.

Our treatment options include:

  • Aneurysm repair to prevent aneurysm rupture
  • Angioplasty and stenting to improve blood flow in a blocked artery
  • Carotid endarterectomy to prevent stroke
  • Chronic wound and limb preservation care to help prevent limb amputation
  • Vascular medicine therapies, such as dietary changes, medications and smoking cessation to treat certain conditions
  • Venous procedures to address problems in veins, such as a DVT or venous insufficiency

Vascular disease often affects more than one part of the body, which means you may need more than one specialist. That’s why we work closely with experts in cardiac care, wound management, podiatry, rehabilitation therapy and primary care to ensure every aspect of your health is considered. Your providers will communicate regularly about your treatment plan, share your test results and streamline your experience. 

Your vascular care team

Our board-certified vascular specialists have advanced training and extensive experience in diagnosing and treating complex vascular conditions. Patients and referring providers trust us for second opinions, advanced procedures and long-term management of vascular conditions.

Your care team may include vascular surgeons, internal medicine doctors and nurses. And as needed, we also bring in cardiologists, wound care experts and cardiac rehabilitation specialists — all so you have the seamless, comprehensive care you deserve.

Vascular care in the greater Charleston area

We offer the full range of vascular care, from basic treatments that don’t involve surgery to minimally invasive procedures and complex open vascular surgery. This means you don’t have to travel elsewhere as your condition changes — your care can evolve with you.

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Related services & specialties

Get expert vascular care

Nearly every part of your body depends on your vascular system. Connect with our team to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward better circulation and long-term wellness.

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