Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy

The Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy is dedicated to providing optimum care to patients with arterial and venous disease. This is conducted by commitment to clinical care, education, and research through a multidisciplinary approach that provides care in the most efficient way, with the best possible outcome for patients. A collaborative approach that involves work alongside many other medical and surgical specialties helps our group to provide high quality comprehensive patient care. Our focus is not only to manage disease, but also to promote health and prevent illness.

This environment has stimulated collaborative clinical research projects that evaluate the effectiveness of treatment options and outcomes when advances are integrated into health care. Our clinical research focuses on non-invasive diagnostic evaluation, epidemiology of vascular disorders and evaluation of patient treatment outcomes. We are also involved in a number of multicenter and industry-sponsored device trials.  This allows us to inform physicians and patients of the alternative forms of treatment so that they can choose appropriately between treatment options. The division's basic science program studies the effect of matricellular proteins on the development of intimal hyperplasia, angiogenesis and arteriogenesis. 

Our multidisciplinary education programs have enhanced the learning environment for medical students, residents and fellows as well as other health professionals. We are committed to continuing medical education through our participation in numerous CME events within the institution as well as by invitation by outside programs. We currently offer two ACGME accredited programs: a traditional two year Vascular Surgery Fellowship (5+2) and a five year Vascular Surgery Integrated Residency (0+5). 

The division's faculty are recognized nationally and internationally for their clinical, research and educational endeavors. Our expertise in arterial disorders includes evaluation and treatment of abdominal and thoracoabdominal aneurysms, carotid artery disease, mesenteric disease, renal artery disease, aortoiliac and lower extremity arterial occlusive disease. We have specific expertise with minimally invasive techniques such as fenestrated aortic endograft repair of abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms, carotid angioplasty and stenting, and peripheral arterial interventions. We have a robust practice in management of venous disease including outpatient endovenous vein ablation. The accredited noninvasive vascular laboratory performs over 12,000 exams annually, including a full spectrum of arterial and venous studies.

Our doctors who specialize in this area are:

• Bernadette Aulivola, MD, RVT, RPVI, MS, FACS
• Carlos Bechara, MD, FACS
• Matthew Blecha, MD, FACS
• Paul Crisostomo, MD, RPVI, FACS
• Vivian Gahtan, MD
• Lindsey Korepta, MD, RPVI, FACS
• Pegge Halandras, MD
• Michael Soult, MD

Telephone Numbers

Physician Consultation and Referral
(708) 327-2686

Patient Appointment Scheduling
Patient Access Center 
(888) 584-7888

Stay in touch with us via Twitter @vascularsurgery