Roper St. Francis

Vascular surgery

The experienced team at Roper St. Francis Healthcare is ready with a personal approach to care for problems that affect your arteries or veins. We focus on restoring healthy circulation, relieving symptoms and helping you get back to feeling your best.

Call to schedule (843) 724-1950 Find a provider
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Vascular treatment that's tailored to your needs

Vascular conditions can range from uncomfortable varicose veins to more serious concerns like blood clots or aneurysms. No matter your diagnosis, having the right care — and the right plan — makes all the difference. You can count on our team to take time to understand your condition and recommend treatment options that are safe, effective and tailored to you.

Your care may include lifestyle changes, medication or advanced procedures, including minimally invasive techniques that can reduce pain and support a faster recovery. When surgery is the best option, our experienced surgeons use proven approaches.

With convenient locations across the Lowcountry, including North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, West Ashley and beyond, it’s easier to access expert vascular care close to home. Our goal is to help you move forward with confidence — and get back to the life you enjoy.

Conditions and treatments

We take great pride in getting to know each patient and in tailoring your care to exactly what you need. We offer the latest minimally invasive procedures for vascular diseases and will take a minimally invasive approach whenever it is safe and appropriate. Traditional surgical options may be best for some patients. In those cases, our board-certified surgeons have specialized training and have performed hundreds of procedures. We're ready to provide you with personalized, expert care no matter what.

Patient in scanner

Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart and lungs to the rest of your body. 

Common artery conditions we treat include:

  • Aortic aneurysm - a weakened bulge in the largest artery called the aorta.
  • Aortic occlusive disease - a blockage or narrowing of the aorta.
  • Atherosclerosis - a buildup of cholesterol and plaque in the arteries.
  • Carotid artery disease (CAD) - a blockage or narrowing of the carotid arteries that lead to the brain and can increase stroke risk.
  • Peripheral artery disease (PAD) - a blockage or narrowing of the arteries in your legs or arms.
  • Pulmonary embolism - a potentially life-threatening artery blockage in the lungs, caused by blood clots.
  • Renovascular conditions - vascular diseases that affect your kidneys such as renal artery stenosis or aneurysm.

After arteries deliver blood throughout your body, your veins return it to your heart and lungs using valves.  

Common vein conditions we treat include:

  • Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) - damaged vein valves in your legs that can lead to clotting.
  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) - blood clots that cause a blockage in a deep vein in the legs or pelvis and can also travel to the lungs, resulting in pulmonary embolism.
  • Spider veins - small, web-like veins visible just under the skin due to poor blood flow
  • Varicose veins - larger, blue-colored veins that can be seen on your legs and are visibly swollen, twisted or bulging from blood pooling or flowing backward due to valve damage.
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It’s likely you’ll undergo testing in your vascular lab before beginning treatment. The lab is the oldest continuously operating vascular lab in the country, giving us experience and expertise that few others can match.  
 
Tests we may use to diagnose vascular conditions include:

  • Angiography to show blood flow and identify blockages or narrowing
  • Ankle-brachial index (ABI) test to help identify PAD
  • Duplex ultrasound to evaluate blood flow
  • Pulse volume recordings to help diagnose and monitor PAD
  • Thoracic outlet tests to help diagnose thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition that may cause shoulder and neck pain and finger numbness
  • Treadmill test to evaluate how blood vessels respond to physical stress
Doctor preps heart procedure

Treatment for conditions that affect your arteries focuses on restoring blood flow and preventing serious complications. When possible, we recommend nonsurgical treatments, such as stopping smoking, getting more exercise and making dietary changes. Surgical treatments range from minimally invasive procedures to complex, open surgeries. Compared to traditional surgery, minimally invasive procedures result in less pain and a quicker recovery.

Treatment for artery conditions may include:

  • Angioplasty to open blocked arteries
  • Atherectomy to remove plaque from arteries
  • Carotid endarterectomy to remove plaque from the arteries that carry blood to the brain
  • Endovascular surgery to treat artery conditions using minimally invasive techniques from inside the vessel
  • Open bypass surgery to reroute blood flow around a blockage
  • Stenting to help keep arteries open so blood can flow
Exam on varicose veins

We offer the latest, most innovative treatments for venous conditions, including:

  • Compression to prevent blood clots
  • Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement to trap blood clots and reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism
  • Medications to thin the blood and reduce the risk of clots
  • Microphlebectomy to remove varicose veins
  • Sclerotherapy injections to close off varicose veins, spider veins and veins damaged by CVI
  • Thrombectomy to remove a blood clot
  • Thrombolysis to dissolve blood clots
  • Vein closure treatments such as ClosureFast™ and VenaSeal™ to redirect blood flow and relieve symptoms
Couple hold hands

Here, you can expect more than expert care for your specific condition — you’ll have a team that supports every part of your journey from diagnosis to treatment and recovery. 
 
Our comprehensive services include: 

  • Amputation and prosthetic support 
  • Diabetes-related vascular care 
  • Diagnostics and testing:
    • Angiography
    • Ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing
    • Duplex ultrasound
    • Pulse volume recordings
    • Thoracic outlet test
    • Treadmill test
  • Dialysis access complications 
  • Lymphedema treatment 
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome treatment 
  • Vascular access placement and management for delivery of chemotherapy, nutrition, dialysis and more
  • Wound care, including non-healing wounds

Your vascular surgery team

Our vascular surgeons bring years of experience and expertise. From diagnosis through recovery, their knowledge and compassionate support will make your care journey as easy as possible.

Vascular surgery locations

Our vascular specialists provide expert care at convenient locations across the greater Charleston area, making it easier to get the care you need close to home or work.

People also ask

Get answers to frequently asked questions.

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Request a consultation

If you’re experiencing symptoms or have been diagnosed with a vascular condition, our team is here to help. We’ll connect you with a specialist who can evaluate your needs and guide your next steps.

Request a consultation (843) 724-1950 Find a provider Find a location

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