Vascular surgery is a specialty of surgery in which diseases of the vascular system, or arteries and veins, are managed by medical therapy, minimally-invasive catheter procedures, and surgical reconstruction. The specialty evolved from general and cardiac surgery as well as minimally invasive techniques pioneered by interventional radiology. Early leaders of the field included Russian surgeon Nikolai Korotkov, noted for developing early surgical techniques, American interventional radiologist Charles Theodore Dotter who is credited with inventing minimally invasive angioplasty, and Australian Robert Paton, who helped the field achieve recognition as a specialty

This patient information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of vascular disease. Patients reading articles on this website should review the information carefully with their health care provider.

The Society for Vascular Surgery ® and NorthPoint Domain provide this online patient education through a joint licensing agreement for personal use by patients, physicians, and other health care professionals.