Articles & Press Releases
Recent Articles
Dr. Bruce Perler's Presidential Address
The unique relationship that vascular surgeons enjoy with their patients has enabled our specialty to have a special claim on the way we care for patients. Outgoing SVS President Bruce Perler spoke during the 2016 Vascular Annual Meeting near Washington, D.C. on June 10.
BEST-CLI Needs More Patients - Now
A groundbreaking trial needs more patients enrolled – quickly – and the SVS is asking for your help.
Low income PAD patients chose stent over exercise
CHICAGO, Illinois - Conventional wisdom might suppose that everyone would avoid surgery if possible.
Ken Slaw, PhD., named executive director of SVS
CHICAGO, Illinois, May 6, 2016 –The Society for Vascular Surgery Board of Directors is pleased to announce Kenneth M. Slaw, Ph.D., as the society’s next executive director, replacing Rebecca Maron, CAE, who will retire May 30, 2016.
Gut microbes may hold key to vascular healing
NIH GRANT and SVS award support RESEARCH ON GUT MICROBES’ EFFECT ON restenosis
Chicago, Illinois– Could microbes in the gut impact human arteries? Surprising early research suggests they might play a role.
2016 VAM: And the awards go to.....
The Society for Vascular Surgery and the SVS Foundation present a number of awards during the Vascular Annual Meeting. The achievements and special efforts of many also receive special recognition.
Special Lectures and Events at the 2016 VAM
While the 2016 Vascular Annual Meeting includes postgraduate courses, hands-on workshops and other courses, it also features special lectures and forums that add to attendees' overall understanding of the treatment of vascular diseases. Special VAM events include:
Update on the Medicare Value-Based Payment Modifier and Electronic Health Record Incentive Program Requirements
Update on the Medicare Value-Based Payment Modifier and Electronic Health Record Incentive Program Requirements
SVS Quality and Performance Measures Committee Provides Information on National Changes
Females at Higher Risk of Unplanned Readmission After Aortic Aneurysm Repair
CHICAGO, Illinois - Previous studies have shown that women are more likely than men to die after vascular surgery, but a new study shows that they are far more likely to be readmitted to the hospital after aortic aneurysm surgery as well.
Invest in the Future with a Donation to SVS PAC
A letter to members from SVS President Dr. Bruce A. Perler and SVS PAC Steering Committee Chair Dr. Randall DeMartino:
Study: Too many patients don't get statins or AP after vascular surgery
A recent review of patients who had undergone carotid, lower extremity bypass, or abdominal aortic aneurysm surgeries found that patients who received both statins and antiplatelet medications were far more likely to be alive five years later. Patients placed on both an antiplatelet agent and cholesterol medication had an adjusted 40 percent reduced risk of death at five years compared to those who received neither drug. Being on either one of these medications was also important, and was associated with an adjusted 30 percent reduced risk of death compared to those on neither medication. When considered differently, an extra 14 of every 100 patients were alive at five years if on both medications.
Rebecca Maron retiring as Executive Director of SVS
Executive search firm conducting national search for new director
CHICAGO, Illinois - Society for Vascular Surgery Executive Director Rebecca Maron has announced her retirement, effective the end of May. She has served in that position for 13 years.
3 Things You Should Ask Before Surgery
All too often patients say they are "blindsided" by unexpected outcomes of surgery. SVS member Dr. Margaret "Gretchen" Schwarze has won a prestigious PCORI grant to study ways to help patients understand what major surgery will mean to them.
National Study Goal: Help Surgery Patients Ask Better Questions
A three-year study, which gives patients a better way to talk to their surgeon, has earned a $2.1 million grant from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Initiative (PCORI).
Surgeons Helping Patients Quit Smoking Before Surgery
A recent pilot study funded by a grant from the Society for Vascular Surgery Foundation has found that patients succeed in quitting smoking before surgery if they are offered the right kind of assistance.
SVS, APMA and SVM Publish First-Ever Guidelines for Treating Diabetic Foot
The Society for Vascular Surgery, the American Podiatric Medical Association and the Society for Vascular Medicine collaboratively have published their first-ever set of clinical practice guidelines for treating the diabetic foot, based on a meta-analysis of the available literature. The guidelines, “The Management of the Diabetic Foot,” were developed after three years of study and were published online in late January and in print in the February 2016 edition of Journal for Vascular Surgery.
Enrollment begins for PRESERVE, large study of IVC filters
As of mid-December, researchers have activated the first 10 medical sites and enrolled the first nine patients in a study that will determine the safety and effectiveness of inferior vena cava filters, small, cage-like devices implanted to prevent life-threatening blood clots from reaching the heart or lungs. While vein filters have been in use for years, PRESERVE (Predicting the Safety and Effectiveness of Inferior Vena Cava Filters), is the first large-scale, multispecialty, prospective clinical research trial that will evaluate their real world safety and effectiveness. The inferior vena cava is the main vessel returning blood from the lower half of the body to the heart.
Ten Tips on Writing a Successful Application for the Lifeline/NHLBI Mentored Clinician-Scientist (K08) Research Award
The K08 Award is unlike other NIH research award programs (i.e., R-series awards), in that it is specifically intended to promote mentored research training for early career stage clinician-scientists.
Regular Walks Give Diabetics a Leg Up On Health
CHICAGO, Ill. -- Diabetics face more than food restrictions to regulate the disease. In some cases, diabetics have increased risk of losing a toe, foot or leg. Here’s why:
Peter F. Lawrence, MD, New Chair of the Society for Vascular Surgery Foundation
CHICAGO, Ill.— As he completed his term as president of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), Peter F. Lawrence, MD, began his term as chair of the SVS Foundation at the society’s 2015 annual meeting in Chicago in June.
Recent Articles
A Summary of Advanced Business Degrees for Vascular Surgeons, from the SVS Community Practice Committee
The dynamic environment in which vascular surgeons are currently practicing has created abundant opportunities for physicians to move into administrative leadership positions across the spectrum of healthcare. An advanced business degree teaches a surgeon the “language” of health care business.
Obese patients have more post-op trouble after open AAA repair
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University have found that obese patients were more likely to have longer procedures and to lose more blood than those who were not obese, and obese patients were more likely to have post-operative problems such as renal failure or wound infections.
From the Editor: Death of a Sales Pitch
The EHR and our troubled health care system, Part 1
BY MALACHI G. SHEAHAN III, MD MEDICAL EDITOR, VASCULAR SPECIALIST
SVS Connect online community is coming soon
Before the end of the year, members will be able to connect in a big -- new -- way: our online community. To emphasize this linking together, we've named this new community SVSConnect.
Diabetes - 3 warnings signs of vascular disease
Diabetes can put patients at risk for vascular disease and limb loss
INSULIN-DEPENDENT PATIENTS MAY HAVE WORSE VASCULAR SURGICAL OUTCOMES
Carotid controversy: Medication alone may not eliminate stroke risk
Recent advances in statins and other medications have led some researchers to suggest that surgical treatments for carotid stenosis should be limited to symptomatic patients – primarily those who have already had a stroke or TIA. However, a new study published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery questions whether medical therapy is a sufficient stroke-reduction strategy. In the study, only 35 percent of stroke patients were receiving both statin and antiplatelet agents prior to their event, suggesting that asymptomatic carotid disease is unrecognized in many individuals, noted lead researcher Dr. W. Darrin Clouse of Massachusetts General Hospital. “And the first manifestation of their disease,” he wrote, “could be the occurrence of a stroke.”
New Marks of Distinction for SVS
Active SVS members in good standing are now eligible to add the initials FSVS™ after their names to designate themselves as Fellows of the Society for Vascular Surgery.
SVS responds to opioid crisis bill
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First of 9 Patient Education Fliers Available
Due to popular demand, the SVS Foundation has developed a new set of patient education fliers. The first one – on Peripheral Arterial Disease – is now available and was released to coincide with PAD Awareness Month in September.
SVS Submits Comments Seeking Changes in CMS Proposed Rules for 2019
In an effort to alter specific policies in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) CY 2019 Medicare Fee Schedule Proposed Rules, Society for Vascular Surgery leaders have submitted a 20-page comment letter with recommendations to CMS.
Please Give, Because Every Gift Matters
A letter from the SVS Foundation Chair
Because …
That’s the simple – yet multifaceted — theme for our SVS Foundation Annual Report (just released and available at vsweb.org/ SVSF_Annual_Report_ 2018) and for our annual Giving Campaign.
The Benefits of Belonging
Membership in the Society for Vascular Surgery is a valuable resource at all stages of your career. You receive:
Community and professional standing
SVS Announces Award for Community Service Honoree Will be Community-Based Practitioner
The Society for Vascular Surgery emphasizes not only education and research, but also public awareness.
Recent Articles
A Summary of Advanced Business Degrees for Vascular Surgeons, from the SVS Community Practice Committee
The dynamic environment in which vascular surgeons are currently practicing has created abundant opportunities for physicians to move into administrative leadership positions across the spectrum of healthcare. An advanced business degree teaches a surgeon the “language” of health care business.
Obese patients have more post-op trouble after open AAA repair
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University have found that obese patients were more likely to have longer procedures and to lose more blood than those who were not obese, and obese patients were more likely to have post-operative problems such as renal failure or wound infections.
From the Editor: Death of a Sales Pitch
The EHR and our troubled health care system, Part 1
BY MALACHI G. SHEAHAN III, MD MEDICAL EDITOR, VASCULAR SPECIALIST
SVS Connect online community is coming soon
Before the end of the year, members will be able to connect in a big -- new -- way: our online community. To emphasize this linking together, we've named this new community SVSConnect.
Diabetes - 3 warnings signs of vascular disease
Diabetes can put patients at risk for vascular disease and limb loss
INSULIN-DEPENDENT PATIENTS MAY HAVE WORSE VASCULAR SURGICAL OUTCOMES
Carotid controversy: Medication alone may not eliminate stroke risk
Recent advances in statins and other medications have led some researchers to suggest that surgical treatments for carotid stenosis should be limited to symptomatic patients – primarily those who have already had a stroke or TIA. However, a new study published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery questions whether medical therapy is a sufficient stroke-reduction strategy. In the study, only 35 percent of stroke patients were receiving both statin and antiplatelet agents prior to their event, suggesting that asymptomatic carotid disease is unrecognized in many individuals, noted lead researcher Dr. W. Darrin Clouse of Massachusetts General Hospital. “And the first manifestation of their disease,” he wrote, “could be the occurrence of a stroke.”
New Marks of Distinction for SVS
Active SVS members in good standing are now eligible to add the initials FSVS™ after their names to designate themselves as Fellows of the Society for Vascular Surgery.
SVS responds to opioid crisis bill
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First of 9 Patient Education Fliers Available
Due to popular demand, the SVS Foundation has developed a new set of patient education fliers. The first one – on Peripheral Arterial Disease – is now available and was released to coincide with PAD Awareness Month in September.
SVS Submits Comments Seeking Changes in CMS Proposed Rules for 2019
In an effort to alter specific policies in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) CY 2019 Medicare Fee Schedule Proposed Rules, Society for Vascular Surgery leaders have submitted a 20-page comment letter with recommendations to CMS.
Please Give, Because Every Gift Matters
A letter from the SVS Foundation Chair
Because …
That’s the simple – yet multifaceted — theme for our SVS Foundation Annual Report (just released and available at vsweb.org/ SVSF_Annual_Report_ 2018) and for our annual Giving Campaign.
The Benefits of Belonging
Membership in the Society for Vascular Surgery is a valuable resource at all stages of your career. You receive:
Community and professional standing
SVS Announces Award for Community Service Honoree Will be Community-Based Practitioner
The Society for Vascular Surgery emphasizes not only education and research, but also public awareness.