Vascular Center Faculty / Medical Staff >

The Vascular Center is a group of three vascular departments (vascular surgery, thoracic surgery, and cardiology), to provide top-class diagnosis and treatment to patients with vascular diseases. SMC’s Vascular Center is made up of professional and experienced medical staffs who are dedicated to provide appropriate treatment for patients suffering from vascular diseases. The Vascular Center collaborates with various other centers within the Heart Vascular Stroke Institute to provide the most effective treatment for systemic vascular diseases.

Major areas of treatment

The Vascular Center specializes in all vascular diseases (diseases of aorta, veins, or lymphatic vessels), except coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease.

1. Arterial diseases

  • arterial occlusion
  • thoracic/abdominal aortic aneurysm/dissection
  • carotid artery stenosis
  • diabetic foot
  • Buerger's disease

2. Vein diseases

  • varicose veins
  • deep vein thrombosis
  • pulmonary embolism

3. Other vascular diseases

  • vasculitis
  • angiogenesis
  • congenital vascular malformation
  • lymphedema

Clinics

Congenital Vascular Malformation Clinic

Strengths

  • Mainatins a 24-hour aorta team for patients with acute aortic diseases such as ruptured aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection
  • Runs the nation’s largest vascular imaging facilities
  • Applies hybrid surgical techniques to patients with vascular diseases with complex lesions
  • Runs a world-renowned vascular malformation clinic
  • Runs a Marfan clinic where we diagnose and treat 40% of the Marfan syndrome patients in Korea

Diagnostic tests

Noninvasive vascular imaging tests including vascular ultrasonography, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and invasive angiography

Latest treatment methods

  • Surgery: Aortic replacement surgery, vascular bypass grafting, carotid endarterectomy
  • Procedures: Percutaneous angioplasty, stent insertion, stent-graft insertion, sclerotherapy/embolization for vascular malformations, laser treatment for varicose veins
  • Medications: Management of risk factors for atherosclerosis, anticoagulation, thrombolytic agents

Other

The vascular laboratory is staffed with personnel certified by the American Society of Vascular Ultrasound Radiologic Technologists, so we pride ourselves on the quality and accuracy of our vascular ultrasound diagnosis and services. Our nurse practitioners provide counseling services for vascular patients, adjust their treatment schedule, and support the Vascular Center’s QA activities, treatment, and research.

Departments List
CLOSE

Patients' Rights and Responsibilities

Patients' Rights

1. Right to receive medical care

Patients have the right to receive proper care in a safe setting without discrimination nor should their right to care be violated regardless of their gender, age, religion, social status, nationality, language, race, or physical/mental/financial status. Medical teams shall not refuse to provide care without justifiable reason.

2. Right to be informed and to make an autonomous decision

Patients have the right to obtain full and complete information from their medical team, to ask questions, and to determine their agreement or refusal concerning: diagnosis, treatment (purpose, plans and methods), outcomes of care (including unanticipated outcomes), discharge plan, participation in medical research studies, organ transplantation/donation, etc. Within ethical boundaries, patients may discontinue or refuse treatment, request that the medical team explain and suggest alternative treatments, and reserve the right to make their own decisions.

3. Right to confidentiality

Patients' rights to confidentiality regarding their physical/health status and privacy will not be violated. Patients can expect that all medical records/reports and their personal privacy will be kept confidential unless the patient has given consent or disclosure is permitted by law. To ensure their privacy, patients may be informed that Individuals not directly involved in their care may not be present and that the number of guardians accompanying patients to consultation rooms may be limited.

4. Right to request consultation and mediation

In the event of a medical dispute, patients may request consultation and mediation from an internal or external agency (Korea Consumer Agency, Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency).

5. Right to have values and beliefs respected

Patients will not be discriminated against because of their culture, religious values, or beliefs, and their rights will not be violated.

6. Right to receive care in a safe setting

Patients have the right to receive hospital-provided care where the patient’s medical information is protected and patient safety can be assured. In addition, patients have the right to be protected from possible dangers that can occur in a hospital and to have stability of mind and body.

Patients' Responsibilities

1. Responsibility to trust and respect the medical team

Patients must accurately inform the medical team of their health condition and must trust and respect the medical team's treatment plan. Patients may be responsible for consequences that result from not following instructions.

2. Responsibility to not use dishonest methods for medical treatment

Patients must reveal their identity before receiving any medical care and must not use false or dishonest methods, such as seeking medical care under disguised ownership.

3. Responsibility to abide by all hospital regulations

Patients are expected to treat all hospital staff and other patients with courtesy and respect; to abide by all hospital rules; and to earnestly fulfill their financial obligation to the hospital. Also, patients and their family members are expected to participate in all safety regulations.