Get answers to common questions with Vascular Surgeon Natalie Sridharan

Natalie Sridharan, MD, is a vascular surgeon who specializes in limb preservation in patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD), treating carotid disease, and managing venous disease. She provides care to patients in Pittsburgh’s South Hills communities at the new UPMC Outpatient Center on Clairton Boulevard, just off Route 51 in West Mifflin, Pa. She also see patients in Bethel Park, Oakland, and Washington, Pa. Read on to learn more about the conditions she treats and services she offers at the UPMC Outpatient Center.

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Q: What Vascular Conditions Do You Treat at the UPMC Outpatient Center?

A: We’re equipped to treat a range of vascular disease at the new UPMC Outpatient Center. We have a particularly good setup to treat PVD and provide options for patients with symptoms of this disease — whether that is pain and cramping when walking or nonhealing ulcerations. For example, patients can see a podiatrist, receive wound care and vascular lab testing, and see a vascular surgeon — all at this location. This is especially helpful to those with PVD in saving their legs from possible amputation.

We also treat many patients with venous disease, which includes patients with varicose veins, chronic deep vein thrombosis (DVT), limb swelling, pelvic congestion syndrome, nutcracker syndrome, and lymphedema. There’s a huge need for appropriate management in cases like these, which I think can be often overlooked. We also see patients with a wide range of vascular conditions including carotid disease and aneurysm disease, along with patients who need dialysis access or help troubleshooting their existing dialysis access.

Q: What Is the Most Common Condition for Which Patients Seek Treatment?

A: We see many patients for limb swelling — a common complaint. Some of these patients have been told there aren’t any options to treat their limb swelling other than doing compression and bearing through it. We can get these patients down the right path for better conservative management, which includes:

  • Exercising to improve blood flow in your legs
  • Losing weight if needed
  • Propping up your legs when sitting or lying down to reduce the extra pressure caused by gravity
  • Wearing compression stockings

This is a patient population that I think is often neglected and who live with a very chronic and disabling problem. We can give them options, whether it’s conservative treatment or interventional treatment. We have a lot of ways to help.

Q: Do You Offer Vascular Surgical Services at the UPMC Outpatient Center?

A: Currently, the UPMC Outpatient Center provides minimally invasive treatments for venous disease, like superficial varicose veins. There are future plans to provide outpatient surgical services for conditions in the great saphenous and the small saphenous veins at this location. We may be able to expand to include catheter-based therapy for venous disease here, too. This will ultimately save people from having to make a trip to the hospital.

Q: Do You Work with a Patient’s Primary Care Physician (PCP)?

A: Yes, we collaborate with patients’ PCPs to provide the best care possible. Our goal is to help PCPs provide options for their patients in helping manage symptomatic peripheral arterial disease, carotid disease, aneurysms, or venous disease and limb swelling. There are a few different routes patients can take to see me, which I think is great for patients, that they have these options.

To schedule an appointment at the UPMC Outpatient Center on Clairton Boulevard, visit UPMC Appointment Request or call 412-802-3333.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .

About Heart and Vascular Institute

The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute has long been a leader in cardiovascular care, with a rich history in clinical research and innovation. As one of the first heart transplant centers in the country and as the developer of one of the first heart-assist devices, UPMC has contributed to advancing the field of cardiovascular medicine. We strive to provide the most advanced, cutting-edge care for our patients, treating both common and complex conditions. We also offer services that seek to improve the health of our communities, including heart screenings, free clinics, and heart health education. Find an expert near you.