Vascular Institute

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is more common than most people realize, and often indicates present or future heart disease. An estimated 20-30 million Americans are at risk for developing a variety of vascular diseases. At Columbia St. Mary's Vascular Institute, our program is designed to keep your heart and vascular system as healthy as possible. We work together to get you the right care, right here.

Common Vascular & Circulation Problems
Some of the conditions that affect the arteries and circulatory system include:

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
This occurs when the arteries of the legs are narrowed or clogged by the build-up of plaque. This condition often causes claudication, painful leg cramping that occurs with walking and is relieved by rest. Critical Limb Ischemia is a severe form of peripheral vascular disease caused by an extreme limitation of blood flow to the legs. This causes severe foot pain and often results in leg amputation or death.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)
CVI occurs when the valves of the veins weaken and cannot pump enough blood back to the heart. The poor circulation can lead to varicose veins and skin ulcers.

Carotid Artery Disease (CAD)
CAD is an artery blockage in the neck which can lead to stroke.

Our Unique Approach to Evaluation and Treatment
Columbia St. Mary's Vascular Institute provides comprehensive care that addresses the many health issues that accompany patients with vascular disease. We hold team meetings where individual patient cases are reviewed by our Vascular Institute specialist panel to determine the best treatment plan for each individual. In addition, because a person with vascular disease is 30 percent more likely to also have heart disease, our team will review each patient’s full health history and disease symptoms to identify any additional recommendations for care.

The Columbia St. Mary’s Vascular Institute is led by Dr. Andrew Feiring. Dr. Feiring is board certified in internal medicine, cardiology, interventional cardiology, as well as vascular and endovascular medicine. He is internationally known for his pioneering research in treating patients with vascular disease; in particular critical limb ischemia.

Dr. Feiring has published extensively. Most recently he was the lead author in a groundbreaking study that appeared in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Using techniques pioneered by Dr. Feiring, leg amputations were reduced from 40% to less than 10%.

The Vascular Institute specialist panel includes vascular surgeons, cardiologists and interventional radiologists. A nurse coordinator helps each patient navigate through the diagnostic and treatment process, and is always there to answer questions and offer support. The nurse coordinator also tracks each patient's care and recovery, and assists with necessary referrals to any of a number of other services including:

• Vascular Laboratory (accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories)
• Cardiopulmonary and Vascular Rehabilitation
• Vein Treatment
• Diabetes Treatment Center
• Wound Center
• Podiatry Services
• Lymphedema Clinic
• Nutritional Services

Few programs provide the individualized care we provide to our patients.

The Vascular Institute
Columbia St. Mary's Hospital Milwaukee
2301 N. Lake Dr.
Milwaukee, WI 53211
(414) 291-1670