Vascular Surgery

Sophie Baldwin, 3/1/24

Vascular surgeons are surgical specialists who treat diseases of the vascular system, which includes veins, arteries, and lymphatic vessels. Vascular surgeons mostly perform surgeries, but they can also meet with patients who may not require surgery. Vascular surgeons can perform both open surgeries and minimally invasive, endovascular surgeries, which they perform by threading catheters through the vessels. Often, vascular surgeons will work to unplug or unclog arteries in conditions such as the hardening of arteries, which can prevent strokes. They can also treat aortic aneurysms, carotid disease, or pulmonary embolisms.

Fast Facts

• Salary: $485,000

• DO friendly? No

• IMG friendly? No

• Competitiveness: High

• Match rate: 80%

• Average step-one: 241

• Surgical? Yes

Becoming a Vascular Surgeon

• 4 years of undergraduate

• 4 years of medical school

• 5 years of vascular surgery residency OR

• 5 years of general surgery residency

• 2 years of vascular surgery fellowship

Work-life Balance

Vascular surgeons typically have a high-stress lifestyle. As with nearly every surgical specialty, vascular surgeons can work long hours and can be frequently called in for emergencies. Vascular surgeons experience some of the highest burnout rates of all physicians. However, while the road to vascular surgery is long and the lifestyle can be difficult, vascular surgeons are also some of the best-compensated physicians. In addition, many vascular surgeons are satisfied with their work, feeling as though they are making major differences in the lives of others. The lifestyle of vascular surgery can feel different for everyone, with many enjoying the high-pressure environment.

Fellowships

Vascular surgery is its own fellowship, so there are no subspecialties following it, though vascular surgeons can choose to focus on some specific areas of vascular surgery. All vascular surgeons must either complete a five-year general surgery residency followed by a two-year vascular surgery fellowship or match directly into a five-year vascular surgery residency.

Job Satisfaction and Outlook

• 41% report burnout (NIH)

• 7% projected job growth (2018-2028) (Zippia)

Sources

https://www.prospectivedoctor.com/how-competitive-is-a-vascular-surgery-residency/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33248123/#:~:text=Overall%2C%2041%25%20of%20respondents%20had,in%20the%20last%2012%20months.

https://www.zippia.com/vascular-surgeon-jobs/trends/

https://www.metrohealth.org/vascular-surgery/what-is-a-vascular-surgeon#:~:text=Vascular%20surgeons%20are%20specialists%20who,roadways%20of%20your%20circulatory%20system.