Department of Cardiovascular Surgery

Vascular and Endovascular Surgery

Quick Facts

The Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Unit has outpatient clinics and clinics for studying vascular pathologies by echo-Doppler, an operating theatre for surgical operations and another one with fixed radiological equipment for endovascular and hybrid interventions.

In the last year 303 open vascular surgical interventions and 176 endovascular procedures were performed.

The Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Unit deals with disorders of the thoracic and abdominal aorta, carotid arteries, and peripheral and visceral arteries using the most advanced surgical, endovascular and hybrid (surgical + endovascular) techniques. It also deals with venous disorders (varicose veins and superficial and deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs).

It has outpatient clinics and clinics for studying vascular pathologies by echo-Doppler, an operating theatre for surgical operations and another one with fixed radiological equipment for endovascular and hybrid interventions.

With regards to clinical evaluation, as a potential carrier of vascular disorders involving numerous districts, especially the heart, the patient undergoes a particularly comprehensive cardiovascular assessment.

The pathologies treated are thoracic and thoracic-abdominal aortic aneurysms, aortic dissections, congenital abnormalities of the thoracic aorta, abdominal aortic aneurysms, disorders of the iliac arteries, visceral vessels (renal arteries, splenic artery, superior mesenteric artery and coeliac trunk) and vessels of the upper limbs, carotid stenoses, peripheral vessel diseases, and varicose veins of the lower limbs.

We also manage the "vascular foot" (a pathology characterised by ulcers of varied extension and depth secondary to vascular insufficiency) by surgical or interventional revascularization followed by ulcer treatment with ultrasound and apposition of synthetic dermis or skin grafting. This condition occurs more frequently in diabetic patients which is why we collaborate with a diabetes specialist for the most comprehensive assessment of the patient.

Together with the Heart Surgery Unit, prosthetic aortic valves are positioned via a percutaneous access, an innovative method carried out in a multifunctional operating theatre.

Research Activities

  • The research activities of the Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Unit are closely related to its clinical activities and are oriented at the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of vascular diseases.

    The main areas of interest are:

    • proteomics of the atherosclerotic plaque
    • oxidative stress and the treatment of carotid stenoses
    • glycosaminoglycans and the cardiovascular cell matrix
    • creation of cardiovascular tissue using an acellular biological matrix.


    Go to the Scientific Report

Other Activities

  • Since 2000 the Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Unit has been affiliated with the 1st School of Specialialisation in Vascular Surgery of the University of Milan; this relationship fosters continuity of teaching and growth projected into the future, in the fields of both clinical care and research, through the junior specialists.

    Teaching activities are also provided at the Specialisation Schools in Cardiac Surgery and Cardiology and the Special Purpose School of Cardiorespiratory Physiopathology, located in the Cardiology Centre.