Dr. Syed A. Raza is the founder of Premier Vein & Vascular Center, which brings together leading vein specialists in Houston. Like our other vein specialists here, Dr. Raza has made it his life’s work to help his patients live life well through effective, sophisticated treatments for venous insufficiency, varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and other vascular conditions. At the clinic, Dr. Raza is pleased to provide consultation and treatment services to his patients, which focus on minimally invasive procedures.
Quick Answer: Dr. Syed Raza, MD is the founder of Premier Vein & Vascular Center in Houston. He is a fellowship-trained interventional radiologist, board certified in diagnostic and interventional radiology by the American Board of Radiology and a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists (UK), and a former Chief of Interventional Radiology at UTMB Galveston and Memorial Hermann Memorial City. He has spent more than 15 years treating varicose veins, venous reflux and peripheral arterial disease, using image-guided, minimally invasive procedures performed in the office.
Dr. Raza has practiced interventional radiology for more than 20 years. As a fellowship-trained interventional radiologist, Dr. Raza has been certified in diagnostic and interventional radiology by the American Board of Radiology and a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists (UK). He has previously served as Chief of Interventional Radiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Dr. Raza has been widely recognized by his peers for being a leader in his field. Namely, he is known for his advancements to the radiology field in the transtracheal stenting of airways and the modified percutaneous approach to TIPPS.
Meet your vein specialist
Dr. Syed Raza, MD
Vascular & Interventional Radiology · Founder, Premier Vein & Vascular Center
Fellowship-trained interventional radiologist, board certified in diagnostic and interventional radiology with a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in interventional radiology, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists (UK). Member of SIR and RSNA. Former Chief of Interventional Radiology at UTMB Galveston and Memorial Hermann Memorial City, with 15+ years treating varicose veins, venous reflux and peripheral arterial disease.
Who Is Dr. Syed Raza?
Dr. Syed Raza is the physician behind Premier Vein & Vascular Center and the doctor most of our patients see from their first consultation through their follow-up scans. His training is in interventional radiology, a specialty built around treating disease from inside the blood vessels using imaging to guide small needles, wires and catheters, rather than large incisions.
Over his career he has held leadership roles in hospital interventional radiology, serving as Chief of Interventional Radiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and at Memorial Hermann Memorial City. In his own practice, he has focused for more than 15 years on varicose veins, venous reflux and peripheral arterial disease (PAD), alongside a wider range of interventional radiology procedures.
What Is an Interventional Radiologist?
Many patients have never heard the term before their first visit, so it is worth explaining. An interventional radiologist is a physician who completes medical school, a residency in diagnostic radiology and additional fellowship training in image-guided procedures. That background means two skills come together in one doctor: reading ultrasound, CT and other images in detail, and using those images in real time to treat the problem.
In vein care, this matters every day. The faulty veins that cause varicose veins and swelling are often deep under the skin and invisible from the surface. Ultrasound shows where blood is flowing backward, and the same ultrasound guides the catheter or needle that closes the vein. Most procedures are done through a single needle puncture under local anesthesia, and patients walk out afterward.
What his board certifications mean
Board certification is a voluntary, rigorous process that confirms a physician has completed accredited training and passed demanding examinations in a specialty. Dr. Raza is board certified in diagnostic and interventional radiology by the American Board of Radiology and a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists in the United Kingdom. Holding certification on both sides of the Atlantic reflects training measured against two separate national standards.
Interventional Radiologist vs Other Vein Doctors
Several kinds of doctors treat veins, and patients often ask how they differ. The short answer is that training, imaging experience and the range of procedures offered vary. The table below is a general guide, not a ranking; good vein care can come from different specialties.
| Specialist | Core training | Typical vein focus | Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interventional radiologist | Diagnostic radiology plus fellowship in image-guided procedures | Venous reflux, varicose veins, DVT, PAD, pelvic veins and other vascular problems | Minimally invasive, catheter and needle based, guided by imaging |
| Vascular surgeon | General or vascular surgery residency and fellowship | Arteries and veins, including open surgery when needed | Both open surgery and minimally invasive procedures |
| Dermatologist | Skin disease | Mainly spider veins and small surface veins | Sclerotherapy and laser for cosmetic veins |
| Primary care physician | Family or internal medicine | First assessment and referral | Compression advice, medicines, coordination of care |
Conditions Dr. Raza Treats
Most patients come to us for leg vein problems, but Dr. Raza’s interventional radiology background covers a broader range of conditions.
Vein conditions
- Varicose veins and spider veins
- Chronic venous insufficiency, leg swelling, heaviness and skin changes
- Venous ulcers and slow-healing leg wounds
- Deep vein thrombosis and its long-term effects
- Pelvic congestion syndrome
Arterial and other interventional procedures
- Peripheral arterial disease, which causes leg pain on walking and poor wound healing
- Genicular artery embolization for knee pain
- Uterine fibroid embolization and hemorrhoid embolization
- Port placement, venous access and dialysis fistula evaluation
- Ultrasound-guided biopsies and other image-guided procedures
For a full list of services and treatment details, visit Dr. Raza’s profile page.
How Dr. Raza Approaches a New Patient
The consultation is structured to answer one question first: what is actually causing your symptoms. At Premier Vein & Vascular Center, a first visit usually follows these steps.
- Focused history. We go through your symptoms, how long you have had them, what makes them better or worse, previous clots or procedures, medicines and family history.
- Examination. Dr. Raza examines the legs standing and lying down, looks at the skin and any wounds, and checks pulses and swelling.
- The right test. For vein symptoms this is usually a venous duplex ultrasound in our in-office vascular lab. For circulation problems in the arteries, an ankle-brachial index is added. Other imaging, such as MRI, is arranged when needed.
- A clear plan. Dr. Raza explains the findings in plain language, what is medical and what is cosmetic, which options fit, and what recovery looks like, so you can make an informed decision.
Dr. Raza’s Credentials
Dr. Raza is board certified in diagnostic radiology and interventional radiology and holds a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in interventional radiology. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists (UK) and a member of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
For patients, this means the ultrasound that guides your treatment decisions is performed and interpreted to recognized national standards. Since nearly every vein treatment plan depends on what the ultrasound shows, the quality of that scan is one of the most important parts of your care.
Seeing Dr. Raza at Our Houston Vein Clinic
Premier Vein & Vascular Center serves patients across Houston, Katy and the Greater Houston area and has been providing vein care for more than 20 years. If you have aching or swollen legs, visible veins, skin changes around the ankles, or leg pain when walking, a visit with a Houston vein doctor who can scan and explain your veins the same day is a practical place to start. Same-week appointments are usually available, and most insurance plans, including Medicare, are accepted. You can reach our team at (832) 321-5355.
Talk With a Specialist at Premier Vein
Have questions about your symptoms or treatment options? Dr. Syed Raza and the team at Premier Vein & Vascular Center can evaluate your concerns and explain your options clearly. Same-week appointments are usually available, and most insurance plans are accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of doctor is Dr. Syed Raza?
Dr. Syed Raza is a fellowship-trained interventional radiologist. He is board certified in diagnostic and interventional radiology by the American Board of Radiology and a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists (UK), and he specializes in minimally invasive, image-guided treatment of vein and vascular conditions.
Is an interventional radiologist a good choice for varicose veins?
Yes. Modern varicose vein treatment relies on ultrasound to find leaking veins and to guide catheters and needles during treatment, which are core skills of interventional radiology. The most important factors are experience with vein procedures and a high-quality ultrasound evaluation.
Where has Dr. Raza practiced?
Before founding Premier Vein & Vascular Center, Dr. Raza served as Chief of Interventional Radiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and at Memorial Hermann Memorial City. He has more than 15 years of experience treating varicose veins, venous reflux and peripheral arterial disease.
Do I need a referral to see Dr. Raza?
Many patients schedule directly, but some insurance plans require a referral from a primary care physician. Our team can check your plan’s requirements when you call to book.
Does Dr. Raza treat conditions other than veins?
Yes. In addition to vein disease, he treats peripheral arterial disease and performs interventional radiology procedures such as genicular artery embolization for knee pain, fibroid and hemorrhoid embolization, port placement and image-guided biopsies.
Trusted Health Resources
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency, Society for Vascular Surgery
- Venous Insufficiency, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (NIH)
- Varicose Veins and Spider Veins, MedlinePlus (NIH)