Dr. Sid Rao, an Interventional Vascular Specialist, is a nationally recognized leader in image-guided, minimally invasive therapies for peripheral artery disease (PAD), chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions. As the founder of Rao Clinic (formerly Vascular Solutions), he has pioneered a tibiopedal approach for Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) helping patients avoid invasive surgery and pain relief. Dr. Rao is also a leading expert in limb salvage and preservation, offering advanced endovascular techniques. A firm believer in collaboration and the multidisciplinary approach to care, he emphasizes team-based solutions to improve outcomes. His patient-first approach, combined with a commitment to outcomes-based medicine, innovation, research and education, has made him a respected voice and trusted authority in vascular and interventional medicine community.
He was the first physician in North Carolina to perform a deep vein arterialization (DVA) procedure more than eight years ago. This is considered the most complex limb salvage/limb preservation procedure that is usually performed in hospitals, for patients with severe peripheral arterial disease facing a certain below-the-knee amputation. He has now performed more DVA procedures than any other physician in the Carolinas and is ready to publish his own technique that allows for this procedure to be performed safely in an outpatient setting with patients discharged the same day less than one hour after the procedure.
He graduated from one of the most competitive medical schools in India – JIPMER, Pondicherry in 1998 with honors. He served as a chief medical resident from 2003-2004 after finishing a 3-year internal medicine residency at Wayne State University. After working as an internist in an underserved area in Wake County, NC for four years, he finished a 3-year cardiology fellowship and then a 1-year interventional cardiology fellowship at UNC, Chapel Hill. Subsequently, he obtained additional training in interventional vascular procedures at Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA, and Prairie Cardiovascular, Springfield, IL. Dr. Rao and his wife have made North Carolina their home since 2004. He’s a fitness enthusiast and in his spare time, he indulges in biking and weight training.
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Comprehensive, research-driven medical care led by Dr. Siddhartha Rao — serving North Carolina with expertise in GAE, orthopaedics, vascular care, primary care, and more.
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