Welcome to the Vascular Surgical Department as part of the Hannover Vascular Centre of Excellence at the DIAKOVERE Henriettenstift in Hannover.

Our team of experienced physicians is devoted to providing state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment for patients with vascular diseases. Therefore in October 2005 the vascular branch of the department of General, Visceral and Vascular Surgery became an independent department with Prof. Dr. Th. Busch as head. Within the Vascular Centre our goal is to offer the best evaluation and treatment strategies – including optimum medical management, conventional surgeries and minimally invasive interventions as well as ready access to services and timely communication with patients and their referring physicians. We believe that our integrated approach fosters innovative thinking, ensuring the best possible care for every patient and advancing the field of vascular care.

A modern non-invasive vascular laboratory is implemented within the Hannover Vascular Centre of Excellence. Studies performed in our vascular laboratory include:

• Carotid artery ultrasound  
• Renal artery ultrasound  
• Aorta and peripheral artery ultrasound  
• Exercise and treadmill testing of both upper and lower extremities  
• Venous ultrasound of both the upper and lower extremities  
• Vein mapping  
• Lower extremity graft surveillance   

What is the Vascular System

The vascular system is the system of blood vessels, which includes arteries, veins and lymph vessels. The arteries and veins carry blood from the heart to the tissues throughout your body and back again.

Vascular diseases involve occlusion, or narrowing of arteries by plaques, causing reduced blood flow through these vessels to your arms, leg, head and neck or to the abdominal organs, such as the kidneys and the bowel. In addition, ballooning of the arteries, usually of the main artery of the body, the aorta, results in aortic aneurysms. Rupture of these may cause bleeding and even death.

Numerous problems can result from vascular diseases – ranging from leg pain during physical activity (claudication) to deterioration of skin leading to ulcers and gangrene. If a condition is severe, it may require open vascular surgery or endovascular interventions, such as angioplasty or stents.

Aortic aneurysms can be repaired with both stent-grafts and open surgery. Acute leg swelling due to blood clots may need treatment with drugs or interventions. Varicose veins or leg ulcers due to vein problems may need intensive medical treatment, surgery or other interventions.

The Hannover Vascular Centre’s multispecialty staff from vascular medicine, vascular surgery, diagnostic and interventional radiology, together with members of other specialties, strengthen the vascular centre’s effectiveness in treating these disorders

• Acute Vessel Occlusion (Embolic Disease)  
• Stroke and Carotid Artery Disease  
• Abdominal and Thoracic Aortic Disease  
• Renal Vascular Disease  
• Mesenteric Vascular Disease  
• Peripheral Arterial Disease  
• Compression Syndromes  
• Venous Disease  
• Chronic Wound Care in
   - Arterial Disease
   - Venous Disease and
   - Diabetic Complications 
   
• Hemodialysis Access and Maintenance