Articles & Press Releases
Recent Articles
SVS Foundation’s new initiative to address disparities in vascular health
By Beth Bales
Significant disparities in healthcare services in the United States result in unnecessary limb loss, stroke and death. Vascular health professionals are developing new programs to address these inequities, through the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Foundation.
Q&A: Education Committee chair drills down on the details
SVS Education Committee chair Kellie Brown, MD, sits down with Beth Bales to answer some questions about the new SVS education platform.
Q. Portal? Website? SVS OnDemand? I keep hearing these terms. What’s what?
VAM shifted to August amid COVID pandemic, vaccination rollout
By Beth Bales
To enhance the chances of being able to hold the 2021 Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM) in-person, the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) has moved the conference, lock, stock and barrel to mid-August.
Foundation donors meet challenge
By Beth Bales
The SVS Foundation received an extra infusion of contributions in late 2020, thanks to more than 40 new donors and the generosity of four members who matched a portion of these donations.
Journal supplement outlines updated guidelines, reporting standards
By Beth Bales
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) is starting 2021 with updated guidelines and reporting standards for three vascular conditions.
SVS PAC recaps 2020, offers goals for 2021
By Hasan Aldailami, MD, and Andrew Barleben, MD,
It is difficult to put 2020 into words. However, despite everything bad that has gone on in the U.S. and nationally, the SVS PAC was lucky to have some successes.
New study provides more support for minimally invasive treatments for great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence
Researchers compared three techniques in the treatment of varicose pathology: radiofrequency ablation (RFA), high ligation and stripping (HLS) and conservative hemodynamic correction of venous insufficiency (CHIVA) to determine superior intervention
Study of patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair suggests screening guidelines may be inadequate
ROSEMONT, Ill., January 5, 2020 – A retrospective study analyzing approximately 55,000 patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair suggests current AAA screening guidelines may be inadequate in detecting a significant number of new cases.
Avoiding the ‘tragedy of the unprepared’
At the conclusion of a challenging 2020, we at the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) have a clear mission ahead: We must work with the U.S. Congress to avoid what military experts refer to as a “tragedy of the unprepared.”
Quality initiative: New pocket guides now available
New pocket guides of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) clinical practice guidelines and reporting standards are now available, with printed guides sent to all members.
Quality Council zeroes in on Appropriate Use Criteria
The Quality Council has earmarked a major initiative for 2021, and it will involve sponsorship of the first official set of SVS Appropriate Use Criteria guidelines, focusing on claudication.
Keeping a close watch for QPP developments
The Quality and Performance Measures Committee (QPMC) is tasked with monitoring and creating national performance measures that are relevant to vascular surgeons.
SVS births brand new Communications Committee
The SVS Communications Committee, equipped with three subcommittees, is a new addition for 2021.
Furthering diversity goals in SVS appointments
The SVS Appointments Committee has made great efforts to be more transparent, diverse and equitable in recent years—a process its chair and members plan to continue.
Advocating for ‘fair and equitable coverage’ of vascular services
Among the many projects of the SVS Coding and Reimbursement Committee, advocating appropriate coverage for vascular services continues to be a major focus. In 2021, the committee, led by chair Sunita Srivastava, MD, will continue to increase its coverage initiatives, working with government and private payers.
Continuing the cause of the SVS Branding Toolkit
A new SVS Branding Toolkit is the culmination of hard work over the past two years by the Public and Professional Outreach (PPO) Committee, according to campaign spearhead and committee chair Joseph L. Mills, MD. And there’s more to come for 2021.
Pushing forward VA facilities for the betterment of vascular surgery
The SVS VA Vascular Surgeons Committee is looking ahead this year to reclaim procedural volume at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities—ravaged by COVID-19—and to facilitate construction of hybrid suites.
Inaugural leadership program overcomes pandemic difficulties
The inaugural cohort of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Leadership Development Program had to show some resilience early.
CMS confirms Physician Fee Schedule cuts; SVS members asked to contact lawmakers
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) has delivered a blow to vascular surgery in the form of a 7% cut in total payment for the services it provides. The cuts are included in the agency’s final rule for Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), and were slated to take effect Jan.1, 2021.
Dalman to trainees: ‘Vascular surgery is a tremendously rewarding career’
For aspiring vascular trainees, interview season is a time of great stress as well as opportunity. Graduating medical students and residents prepare the pitches of a lifetime.
Appropriateness Committee seeks to push ahead with new guidelines
It was a central plank of the presidential agenda set out by immediate past president Kim Hodgson, MD. And now the SVS Appropriateness Committee has targeted further development of the Society’s first set of Appropriate Use Criteria guidelines.
New committee to deliver diversity position statement
The newly formed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee plans to implement the recommendations from the DEI Task Force.
Recent Articles
MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Application Reopens
MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Application Reopens and Deadline Extended to March 31, 2022
Congress Failed Our Nation’s Health Care Providers by Allowing Massive Medicare Cuts to Take Effect That Will Harm Seniors
Continuing resolution to fund the government disregards need to protect patient access to care. WASHINGTON, December 2, 2021 – Congress is on the brink of allowing massive Medicare cuts to go into effect at the start of the new year based on the language of the continuing resolution
Study Shows Intraoperative Vascular Surgeon Consultations are Increasing at a Major American Trauma Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media ContactBeth Richmanbrichman1@gmail.com312-806-8999
Findings Reinforce Vascular Surgeons’ Value for Trauma Centers
Medicare Cuts to Vascular Surgery Ignore Realities of Pandemic and Will Harm Patient Care
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) urges Congress to stop the harmful Medicare cuts that will take effect in less than two months and will limit patient access to needed care; Majority of the U.S. House supports stopping the cuts.
More Than One Million Health Care Providers Tell Congress to Stop Medicare Cuts
Organizations representing more than one million physician and non-physician health care providers unite to protect care for the millions of seniors who rely on the Medicare program.
Study Shows Increase in Risk of Renal Failure Following Lytic Therapy for Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis
A large single-center retrospective study reveals the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) following pharmacomechanical thrombolysis (PMT) for lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a high as 22%.
The Society for Vascular Surgery Releases Clinical Practice Guidelines and Implementation Document on the Management of Extracranial Cerebrovascular Disease
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) has released updated clinical practice guidelines accompanied by an implementation document on the management of patients with extracranial carotid artery disease. Since stroke prevention related to carotid artery disease is of major interest to vascular surgeons, the documents aim to use the existing clinical evidence to ensure patients with atherosclerotic occlusive disease in the carotid arteries receive appropriate treatment and care.
The Society for Vascular Surgery Releases Clinical Practice Guidelines on Popliteal Artery Aneurysms
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) has released a new clinical practice guideline to ensure that patients with aneurysms of the popliteal arteries (located behind the knee) receive appropriate treatment and care. Aneurysms of the popliteal artery are the most common aneurysms outside of the brain and abdominal aorta.
Exact Symptom Status Better Predicts Outcomes after Transfemoral Carotid Artery Stenting
Further stratification according to preprocedural symptoms in patients undergoing transfemoral carotid artery stenting (TFCAS) improves the preoperative risk assessment, a review of the Society of Vascular Surgery’s Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) data suggests.
Recent Articles
MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Application Reopens
MIPS Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Application Reopens and Deadline Extended to March 31, 2022
Congress Failed Our Nation’s Health Care Providers by Allowing Massive Medicare Cuts to Take Effect That Will Harm Seniors
Continuing resolution to fund the government disregards need to protect patient access to care. WASHINGTON, December 2, 2021 – Congress is on the brink of allowing massive Medicare cuts to go into effect at the start of the new year based on the language of the continuing resolution
Study Shows Intraoperative Vascular Surgeon Consultations are Increasing at a Major American Trauma Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media ContactBeth Richmanbrichman1@gmail.com312-806-8999
Findings Reinforce Vascular Surgeons’ Value for Trauma Centers
Medicare Cuts to Vascular Surgery Ignore Realities of Pandemic and Will Harm Patient Care
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) urges Congress to stop the harmful Medicare cuts that will take effect in less than two months and will limit patient access to needed care; Majority of the U.S. House supports stopping the cuts.
More Than One Million Health Care Providers Tell Congress to Stop Medicare Cuts
Organizations representing more than one million physician and non-physician health care providers unite to protect care for the millions of seniors who rely on the Medicare program.
Study Shows Increase in Risk of Renal Failure Following Lytic Therapy for Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis
A large single-center retrospective study reveals the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) following pharmacomechanical thrombolysis (PMT) for lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a high as 22%.
The Society for Vascular Surgery Releases Clinical Practice Guidelines and Implementation Document on the Management of Extracranial Cerebrovascular Disease
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) has released updated clinical practice guidelines accompanied by an implementation document on the management of patients with extracranial carotid artery disease. Since stroke prevention related to carotid artery disease is of major interest to vascular surgeons, the documents aim to use the existing clinical evidence to ensure patients with atherosclerotic occlusive disease in the carotid arteries receive appropriate treatment and care.
The Society for Vascular Surgery Releases Clinical Practice Guidelines on Popliteal Artery Aneurysms
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) has released a new clinical practice guideline to ensure that patients with aneurysms of the popliteal arteries (located behind the knee) receive appropriate treatment and care. Aneurysms of the popliteal artery are the most common aneurysms outside of the brain and abdominal aorta.
Exact Symptom Status Better Predicts Outcomes after Transfemoral Carotid Artery Stenting
Further stratification according to preprocedural symptoms in patients undergoing transfemoral carotid artery stenting (TFCAS) improves the preoperative risk assessment, a review of the Society of Vascular Surgery’s Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) data suggests.