Loyola University Medical Center

Gottlieb Memorial Hospital

MacNeal Hospital

Back to homepage
myLoyola

Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy

Woman and man dancing in their house
In this section

At Loyola Medicine, our highly skilled vascular surgeons are experienced in treating a wide range of vascular diseases, which includes conditions that affect the circulatory system. Vascular disease often results from artery blockage caused by the buildup of plaque, leading to reduced blood flow to your arms, legs, and abdominal organs.

Innovative Surgical Techniques to Treat Vascular Diseases

While some vascular diseases require open vascular surgery to clear blockages, others may be treatable with minimally invasive, endovascular surgery. Endovascular, or surgery “within” your blood vessels, provides an alternative to traditional open surgery and often results in less recovery time.

At Loyola, our multidisciplinary team provides advanced treatment options for vascular diseases while delivering personalized, evidence-based care to ensure optimal outcomes.

Why Choose Loyola for Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy?

  • Comprehensive, collaborative care: Our team includes board-certified vascular surgeons, such as Dr. Khalil Qato, MD, with expertise in both traditional and minimally invasive techniques, working in close partnership with specialists across radiology, cardiology, nephrology, and wound care to provide truly multidisciplinary care.
     
  • Advanced techniques, tailored to you: We offer a full range of surgical and catheter-based therapies, including complex aneurysm repair and limb salvage interventions, customized to your needs and health goals.
     
  • Education and support at every step: We are committed to keeping you informed and supported throughout your journey. From your first consultation to post-operative care, you’ll have access to educational resources, personalized instructions, and easy-to-understand materials to help guide your decisions and recovery.
     
  • Academic excellence, community focus: As an academic medical center, Loyola combines leading-edge innovation with compassionate care close to home—bringing the benefits of research-driven medicine to every patient we serve.

Experienced, Multidisciplinary Vascular Disease Team  

Vascular disease can encompass many different conditions affecting the health of the arteries and veins. Management of vascular disease requires a highly-skilled, clinically-integrated team with expertise in vascular disease screening and medical management in addition to endovascular and surgical intervention.

From common conditions, such as aortic aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, venous insufficiency, and carotid artery disease, to more rare vascular diseases, the Vascular Surgery team at Loyola Medicine delivers solutions to ensure patients have access to comprehensive vascular disease care and lifelong surveillance to optimize their vascular health.

Diagnosis of Vascular Diseases

Loyola employs leading-edge diagnostic tools to identify and evaluate vascular conditions early, accurately, and noninvasively. We offer:

  • Vascular ultrasound
  • Computed tomography angiography
  • Magnetic resonance angiography
  • Digital subtraction angiography  
  • Ankle-brachial index and toe-brachial index testing

Each evaluation informs individualized treatment strategies that address the condition—and the whole patient.

Treatment of Vascular Conditions

Our therapeutic approach to treatment is as multifaceted as the vascular diseases we treat:

  • Minimally invasive (endovascular) procedures:
    • Angioplasty, stenting, thrombolysis, embolization, filter placement/removal
       
  • Open surgical techniques:
    • Bypass grafting
    • Endarterectomy
    • Aneurysm repair
       
  • Hybrid and multimodal interventions:
    • Combining open and endovascular methods when clinically indicated
       
  • Supportive & adjunctive therapies:
    • Hemodialysis access maintenance and revision
    • Lower extremity revascularization and wound care

We follow all patients with routine surveillance and coordinated care to prevent recurrence and maintain long-term vascular wellness.

Vascular Diseases Treated

Vascular disease is categorized by the area of the body that is affected:

Peripheral arterial disease is a common circulatory condition in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, most often the legs. It is primarily caused by atherosclerosis, where fatty deposits build up in the arterial walls. This reduced blood flow can lead to symptoms such as leg pain when walking (claudication), numbness, and in severe cases, non-healing wounds or gangrene. Treatment options include:

  • Endovascular therapies such as peripheral stenting and balloon angioplasty
  • Leg bypass surgery
  • Femoral endarterectomy 

Cerebrovascular disease refers to a group of conditions that affect blood flow to the brain, including stroke or transient ischemic attacks. These conditions can result from blocked, narrowed, or ruptured blood vessels and may lead to brain damage, disability, or death if not treated promptly. Surgical treatment options include:

  • Carotid endarterectomy
  • Carotid artery stenting
  • Carotid body tumor resection
  • Surgery for carotid artery aneurysms 

An aortic aneurysm is a bulging or dilation in the wall of the aorta, the body’s main artery. It can occur in the chest (thoracic aortic aneurysm) or abdomen (abdominal aortic aneurysm). These aneurysms often develop slowly and without symptoms but can be life-threatening if they rupture. Risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, and genetic predisposition. Treatment options include:

  • Open aneurysm repair
  • Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)
  • Fenestrated or complex endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) 

Hemodialysis access refers to the surgical creation of a site through which blood can be removed and returned during dialysis treatment for kidney failure. The main types of access are arteriovenous (AV) fistulas, AV grafts, and central venous catheters. Proper access is critical for effective dialysis and minimizing complications such as infection or clotting.

Venous disease encompasses a range of conditions that affect the veins, including varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and venous ulcers. These conditions often result from damaged vein valves, leading to poor blood return to the heart, swelling, skin changes, and increased risk of clots.

  • Vein ligation & stripping
  • Endovascular ablation
  • Phlebectomy
  • Sclerotherapy
  • Venous thrombectomy
  • Vena cava filter placement & removal 

This rare condition involves the narrowing or blockage of arteries that supply blood to the intestines (mesenteric) or kidneys (renal), typically due to atherosclerosis. Reduced blood flow can cause abdominal pain after eating, weight loss, high blood pressure, or kidney dysfunction. Severe cases may lead to organ damage or failure. Treatment options include:

  • Mesenteric artery bypass or stenting
  • Renal artery bypass and stenting 
  • Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome
  • Adventitial cystic disease
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome
  • May–Thurner syndrome
  • Nutcracker syndrome 

Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy Resources  

At Loyola Medicine, we believe that informed patients make empowered decisions. That’s why we offer a wide range of educational resources to support you before, during and after your care. From answers to frequently asked questions and downloadable guides to instructional videos and condition-specific handouts, our resources are designed to help you better understand your diagnosis, prepare for procedures, and navigate recovery with confidence. 


Downloadable Resources:

Vascular Health Flyers | Society for Vascular Surgery

Heart

Request an Appointment

Loyola Medicine heart and vascular specialists have the experience and technology to treat the most difficult cardiac and vascular conditions. Schedule an appointment today.

Call Us at 888-584-7888

Online Scheduling

Schedule a Telehealth Appointment