An angiologist, vascular surgeon, and endovascular surgeon are medical specialists dedicated to treating conditions of the vascular system (also known as the circulatory system), which includes the organs responsible for transporting blood, nutrients, gases, and metabolic waste throughout the body.
The vascular system consists of the heart, arteries, veins, capillaries, and the lymphatic system, which includes vessels, nodes, and lymph fluid.
When discussing endovascular surgery, angiology, and vascular surgery, we refer to subspecialties with different approaches and methods of care:
Angiology focuses on the study and treatment of vascular diseases through non-surgical methods.
Vascular surgery is a surgical specialty focused on treating vascular diseases via open surgical procedures.
Endovascular surgery specializes in treating vascular conditions using minimally invasive techniques, such as percutaneous access and catheter-based procedures.
While all three focus on the vascular system, their treatment methods and areas of expertise differ.
Diseases Treated in Angiology
Each subspecialty handles specific vascular conditions. Common diseases managed include:
- Angiology
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- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Formation of blood clots in deep veins.
- Deep vein thrombosis, the formation of blood clots in the deep veins, usually occurring in the legs.
- Chronic venous insufficiency: Poor venous return causing varicose veins, ulcers, or swelling
- Aneurysms: Abnormal dilation of arterial walls
- Vascular Surgery:
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- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Advanced peripheral artery disease
- Carotid artery disease
- Severe venous insufficiency
- Endovascular Surgery:
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- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Aortic aneurysm
- Coronary artery disease
- Arterial stenosis (narrowing)
What Does an Angiologist Treat?
Regardless of whether care is required from the specialty of angiology, vascular, or endovascular surgery, the diagnosis of diseases involves a combination of clinical evaluation to review medical history and perform physical examinations, as well as imaging tests such as Doppler ultrasound, angiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or echocardiography.
Functional tests: ankle-brachial index, stress tests, walking tests
Invasive procedures: cardiac catheterization, intravascular angiography (if necessary)
Blood tests: evaluating cholesterol, glucose, inflammatory markers, and clotting factors
Diagnosing vascular disease requires a multidisciplinary approach to determine the nature, extent, and best treatment plan for each patient.
Vascular Surgical Procedures
Just as the nature of vascular system conditions differs between angiology, vascular surgery, and endovascular surgery, the type of procedure will also vary:
Angiologists focus on non-surgical techniques, such as Doppler ultrasounds, CT or MRI angiography, stress testing, and medication-based treatment.
Vascular surgeons perform open surgeries, including arterial bypass, carotid endarterectomy, aneurysm repair, peripheral vascular surgery, and varicose vein surgery.
Endovascular specialists use minimally invasive therapies, such as balloon angioplasty, stent placement, endovascular aneurysm repair, and embolization procedures.
These examples illustrate the wide range of tools and techniques available to treat vascular diseases.
Angiologist, Vascular Surgeon, and Endovascular Specialist Near You
At the ABC Medical Center’s Vascular, Arterial, and Venous Disease Department, we have a team of highly trained specialists in angiology, vascular surgery, and endovascular surgery dedicated to providing comprehensive, personalized care for all circulatory system needs.
Our vascular surgeons and angiologists in Mexico City (CDMX) are committed to your well-being, using the latest technology and most advanced treatments to manage conditions such as varicose veins, venous insufficiency, deep vein thrombosis, and more.
Fuentes:
Wehealgroup, Medigraphic, Enfermedadesvasculares, Varicenter
