The Vascular Medicine Unit at LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital provides comprehensive evaluation and care for conditions affecting the arteries, veins, lymphatic system, and blood circulation. Through close collaboration with vascular surgery, medical imaging, and interventional radiology, the unit offers integrated care across three main areas: clinical vascular medicine, non-invasive vascular diagnostics, and minimally invasive vascular procedures.
Clinical Vascular Medicine
The unit evaluates and manages a broad range of vascular and circulatory conditions, including:
- Peripheral artery disease
- Vasculitis and other vascular disorders
- Thromboembolic disease
- Thrombophilia and other blood-clotting disorders
- Pregnancy-related and neonatal thrombotic conditions
- Venous and lymphatic disorders
- Varicose veins and lipedema
- Complex wounds
- Lymphatic Assessment
Care also includes patient education and supervised therapeutic exercise to support vascular health and improve mobility.
Vascular Laboratory and Diagnostic Services
The Vascular Laboratory provides non-invasive imaging, screening, and functional assessment to support accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment planning. Services include:
- Doppler ultrasound
- Ankle-brachial index measurement and screening
- Digital plethysmography
- Transcutaneous oxygen pressure measurement
- Nailfold capillaroscopy
- Thoracic outlet syndrome assessment
- Strandness exercise testing
- Six-minute walk testing
- Exercise-related intramuscular pressure measurement
These services are complemented by lymphoscintigraphy, CT angiography, and MRI provided in collaboration with the Medical Imaging Department.
Minimally Invasive Vascular Procedures
The unit provides a range of minimally invasive procedures, including:
- Central venous catheter insertion
- Peripherally inserted central catheter placement
- Endovenous treatment of varicose veins
- Treatment of vascular malformations
- Platelet-rich plasma therapy for selected penile conditions
All procedures are performed in close coordination with vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists to ensure a multidisciplinary approach to care.
Achievements
In 2008, LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital became the first medical center in Lebanon to perform endovenous thermal ablation using radiofrequency technology. The unit subsequently introduced laser treatment and pioneered the use of the VenaSeal closure system in Lebanon for the treatment of truncal varicose veins.
Building on this experience, the unit is committed to advancing the treatment of varicose veins and lipedema while expanding its clinical and research collaborations with leading institutions in Europe and the United States. Previous collaborations have included training and research initiatives with the School of Medicine at Nantes Université in France.
