Dear Members:

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:

Over time, high blood sugar levels – a problem for diabetics -- can damage blood vessels and make them more likely to narrow. Diabetics may also be prone to high blood pressure and obesity, both of which can also contribute to arterial blockages and put additional strain on leg arteries.

Donna Parks had a sensation of heaviness in her legs for a couple of years – then sharp, stabbing pains began. A vascular surgeon determined that she had peripheral arterial disease, a stealthy but potentially deadly illness that can cause those symptoms – or none at all – in its earlier stages.

Also known as PAD, the disease actually affects many arteries in the body. Most patients with vascular disease worry about stroke or heart attack, but don’t realize the disease can have an important effect on the legs, feet and other parts of the body.

"Hardening of the arteries" is a common disease that causes arteries to become clogged with plaque, much like old water pipes can become clogged with debris or lime. The condition can cause heart attacks and strokes, but another effect of cardiovascular disease is peripheral arterial disease (PAD), also called peripheral vascular disease, which affects the extremities, usually the toes, feet and legs. If you have PAD, you most likely have artery disease throughout the body.

NEW CAROTID ARTERY STENT PROCEDURE TO BE EVALUATED BY
THE SOCIETY FOR VASCULAR SURGERY PATIENT SAFETY ORGANIZATION

CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 9, 2016 -- A surveillance project to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) in comparison with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is being launched by the Society for Vascular Surgery Patient Safety Organization (SVS PSO).

New thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) reporting standards have been published by the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) in the September 2016 issue of Journal of Vascular Surgery.

CHICAGO, Illinois - Vascular surgeons and vein specialists made their case for newer lower extremity chronic venous disease treatments at a recent MEDCAC panel.

The Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee’s reports offer professional advice on treatments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Following a day of presentations, the MEDCAC panel voted on their level of confidence in the efficacy of various treatments for patients presenting with varying symptoms.

The Real Story on Traveler's Thrombosis

Answers to Questions about Leg Blood Clots

For those planning a trip, there can be plenty of things to worry about – airport security, the cost of travel and flight delays. It can also be a health hazard for some people who are at risk of getting blood clots.

VAM Recordings Now Available via Access Code

Want to re-visit the 2016 Vascular Annual Meeting, or view it for the first time?

The VAM On-Demand Library includes a wealth of useful information: 100+ audio and slide presentations of abstracts and papers, video recordings of plenaries and special sessions, lists of authors and faculty, links to information on CME credits and more.

Using the search box, those interested in a particular topic or speaker can easily locate all sessions related to that topic or presenter.

Read the SVS letter to CMS

SVS has sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services urging changes in the way the CMS proposes to pay physicians and specialists.  The Society is among many physician organizations and stakeholders urging the federal government to delay a proposed rule that will affect Medicare reimbursements.