What Is Aortic & Vascular Disease?
Vascular disease encompasses a broad range of conditions affecting the arteries, veins, and lymphatic vessels throughout the body. The most serious of these involve the aorta — the body's largest artery — as well as the peripheral arteries supplying the legs, kidneys, and brain. Left untreated, conditions such as aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection can be rapidly fatal, while peripheral arterial disease causes significant disability. Shanghai's Zhongshan Hospital vascular surgery department, led by Professors Fu Weiguo and Lu Qingsheng, is one of China's most advanced centers for complex aortic and vascular interventions.
Common Conditions
- Aortic aneurysm — abnormal bulging of the aortic wall; can be thoracic (TAA) or abdominal (AAA); rupture is life-threatening
- Aortic dissection — a tear in the inner layer of the aortic wall, allowing blood to flow between layers; a surgical emergency
- Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) — narrowing of arteries supplying the legs, causing pain, ulcers, and risk of limb loss
- Carotid artery stenosis — narrowing of the carotid arteries supplying the brain, a major cause of stroke
- Renal artery stenosis — narrowing of arteries to the kidneys, causing hypertension and kidney damage
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — blood clots in the deep veins, risk of pulmonary embolism
- Varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency
Symptoms
Symptoms vary by condition and location:
- Aortic aneurysm — often silent until rupture; may cause back, chest, or abdominal pain
- Aortic dissection — sudden, severe tearing chest or back pain; a medical emergency
- PAD — leg pain or cramping with walking (claudication), non-healing wounds, cold or discolored feet
- Carotid stenosis — TIA (mini-stroke), sudden weakness, speech difficulty, vision loss
- DVT — leg swelling, redness, warmth, and pain
Causes & Risk Factors
- Atherosclerosis — the underlying cause of most arterial disease
- Hypertension — a major driver of aortic aneurysm and dissection
- Smoking — strongly associated with AAA and PAD
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hyperlipidemia
- Connective tissue disorders — Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome (aortic disease)
- Family history of aortic or vascular disease
- Age and male sex
Diagnosis
Zhongshan Hospital's vascular team uses state-of-the-art imaging for precise diagnosis and procedural planning:
- Duplex ultrasound — first-line assessment of peripheral arteries and veins
- CT angiography (CTA) — detailed 3D mapping of the aorta and peripheral vessels; essential for surgical planning
- MR angiography (MRA) — radiation-free vascular imaging
- Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) — the gold standard for peripheral vascular assessment and endovascular intervention
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI) — simple, non-invasive screening test for PAD
- Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) — for precise endovascular stent graft sizing and deployment
Treatment Options
Zhongshan Hospital offers the full spectrum of open surgical and minimally invasive endovascular treatments:
- Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR/TEVAR) — catheter-based stent graft placement for abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms; minimally invasive with rapid recovery
- Open aortic surgery — for complex anatomy not suitable for endovascular repair; including total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk technique
- Emergency aortic dissection surgery — Type A dissection requires urgent open repair; Type B managed with TEVAR or medical therapy
- Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) — surgical removal of carotid plaque to prevent stroke
- Carotid artery stenting (CAS) — catheter-based alternative to CEA for high-risk surgical patients
- Peripheral angioplasty and stenting — for PAD affecting the iliac, femoral, and tibial arteries
- Bypass surgery — aorto-bifemoral, femoro-popliteal, or femoro-tibial bypass for severe PAD
- Catheter-directed thrombolysis — for acute arterial or venous thrombosis
- Varicose vein treatment — endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), radiofrequency ablation, foam sclerotherapy
Why Treat Vascular Disease in Shanghai?
- Zhongshan Hospital's vascular surgery department is one of China's highest-volume centers for complex aortic and peripheral vascular interventions
- Professors Fu Weiguo and Lu Qingsheng are internationally recognized leaders in endovascular aortic repair and complex vascular surgery
- 24/7 emergency capability for acute aortic dissection and ruptured aneurysm
- Access to the latest endovascular devices and hybrid operating room technology
- Treatment costs typically 60–75% lower than equivalent care in Western countries
Our Specialists
Professor Fu Weiguo (符伟国) — Chief of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. A national leader in endovascular aortic repair and complex open vascular surgery, with extensive experience in aortic aneurysm, dissection, and peripheral arterial disease.
Professor Lu Qingsheng (陆清声) — Deputy Chief of Vascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital. Specialist in endovascular techniques, aortic stent grafting, and carotid interventions, with a strong international research profile.
How CMCS Can Help
Vascular emergencies require immediate action, and elective vascular conditions benefit from expert planning. China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) can rapidly coordinate your vascular assessment and treatment at Zhongshan Hospital — from arranging urgent or elective specialist consultations, facilitating CTA imaging and surgical planning, coordinating hospital admission, providing medical interpretation, and supporting your recovery and follow-up care.
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