Vascular Surgery, Quo Vadis?

摘要

Vascular surgery, currently a mono-specialty in a large number of countries, is dedicated to the diagnosis and management of all aspects of vascular disease (arterial, venous, and lymphatic), excluding the heart and brain vessels. Vascular diagnosis is complemented by non-invasive tests that are frequently performed by the managing physician, regardless of the intention for interventional treatment. Non-invasive tests, originally limited mainly to vascular ultrasound but now expanded to include computed tomography and magnetic resonance angiography, have largely reduced the need for arteriography and its attendant risks, preserving its diagnostic ability, and even improving preoperative planning and patient selection.