Research
Advancing vascular care through research
Research is a core pillar of the UCLA Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. Our faculty lead pioneering studies that expand the understanding of vascular disease, improve patient outcomes, and shape the future of minimally invasive and open surgical care. As part of a top-tier public research university, we leverage UCLA’s robust research ecosystem to drive forward-thinking solutions to some of vascular medicine’s most pressing challenges.
Founded in 1951, UCLA ranks among the top research institutions globally. In the 2022–2023 U.S. News & World Report survey, UCLA placed 14th among the world’s top 100 universities and tied for 1st among U.S. public universities. In fiscal year 2022–2023 alone, the university received $1.39 billion in extramural research funding—more than $1 billion of which came from federal and state sources.
Our division contributes to this research excellence through high-impact studies designed to close critical knowledge gaps in vascular surgery. Every faculty member in the division is actively engaged in research and committed to mentoring medical students, residents, and fellows across all levels of training.
Our research mission
Our research efforts are guided by two primary goals:
- Advancing the understanding of optimal management of vascular disease
- Improving clinical outcomes for patients with vascular conditions
We approach these goals through rigorous methodologies, multidisciplinary collaboration, and innovative technologies.
Research focus areas
-
Studying surgical and non-surgical approaches to improve diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes.
-
Developing advanced diagnostic tools and interventions to manage chronic venous disease more effectively.
-
Optimizing vascular access for dialysis patients through novel surgical techniques and device-based solutions.
-
Exploring the full spectrum of care from early detection to limb preservation strategies in patients with PAD.
-
Developing and studying endovascular therapies for complex aortic diseases including aneurysms and dissections.
Clinical trials and collaborative research
Our division actively participates in national and international clinical trials, such as:
- CREST-2: Comparing medical management alone versus in combination with revascularization procedures for stroke prevention.
- CREST-H: Investigating the potential cognitive benefits of revascularization in patients with carotid artery stenosis.
- C2LOE: Assessing long-term outcomes post-carotid endarterectomy and stenting
Woo Research Lab
Dr. Karen Woo, vascular surgeon, and her research team develop educational resources and decision-making tools to optimize patient care. The lab's focus areas include:
- Complex & shared decision making
- Outcomes of hemodialysis vascular access
- Healthcare equity & health literacy
Vascular Low Frequency Disease Consortium
UCLA is a leading participant in the Vascular Low Frequency Disease Consortium (VLFDC), a collaborative effort among institutions worldwide to study rare vascular conditions.
This consortium enables the collection of sufficient data to draw meaningful conclusions about uncommon vascular diseases.