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:

Thursday, June 9

William J. von Liebig Forum, on peripheral arterial disease, 8:30 to 10 a.m. Drs. Rabih A. Chaer and Bruce A. Perler will moderate. 

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

How will the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Physician Feedback Program/Value-based Payment Modifier Program impact the Society for Vascular Surgery’s membership over the next three years? The SVS Quality and Performance Measures Committee has outlined key components and changes.

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. Moreover, women who are discharged to their own homes instead of to care facilities had a higher chance of readmission than other groups.

A letter to members from SVS President Dr. Bruce A. Perler and SVS PAC Steering Committee Chair Dr. Randall DeMartino:

We want to sincerely thank the 248 SVS members who contributed to the Political Action Committee (PAC) in 2015, which helped us score three major victories on Capitol Hill:

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.

CHICAGO, Illinois, March 31, 2016 - For some vascular surgery patients, starting an antiplatelet and a cholesterol medication after surgery can significantly extend their lives, even if they don’t have high cholesterol.

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.

SVS President Bruce A. Perler noted that Maron will be sorely missed for her leadership skills, judgment and many friendships among the membership.

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.

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).

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.