Clinical Practice Guidelines
Enabling healthcare providers to select the best care for a unique individual based on patient preferences.
About the Guidelines
Society for Vascular Surgery clinical practice guidelines evaluate the evidence in the scientific literature, assess the likely benefits and harms of a particular treatment, and enable healthcare providers to select the best care for a unique patient based on his or her preferences.
The Society develops guidelines to aid its members and their patients in the decision-making process. SVS guideline writing groups draw upon systematic reviews of the available evidence to inform key recommendations. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are performed by the Mayo Clinic Evidence-based Practice Center, in Rochester, Minnesota. The methodology used for SVS clinical practice guidelines has been published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery.
Clinical Practice Guidelines
Varicose Veins, Part I & II
SVS/AVF/AVLS clinical practice guidelines for the management of varicose veins of the lower extremities were published in JVS-VL in October 2022 (Part I) and August 2023 (Part II).
PAD In Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and a Foot Ulcer
IWGDF, ESVS, SVS guidelines on peripheral artery disease in people with diabetes mellitus and a foot ulcer were published in JVS in September 2023.
Extracranial Cerebrovascular Disease
Clinical practice guidelines for management of extracranial cerebrovascular disease were published by JVS in June 2021.
Popliteal Artery Aneurysms
Clinical practice guidelines on popliteal artery aneurysms were published by JVS in May 2021.
Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia
Clinical practice guidelines on chronic mesenteric ischemia were published by JVS in November 2020.
Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR)
Clinical practice guidelines for thoracic endovascular aortic repair for thoracic endovascular aortic repair were published in JVS in July 2020.
Management of Visceral Aneurysms
Clinical practice guidelines on management of visceral aneurysms were published by JVS in March 2020.
Chronic Limb-threatening Ischemia (CLI)
In June 2019, JVS published a supplement on chronic limb-threatening ischemia, including clinical practice guidelines, supporting systematic reviews and an editorial.
- Revascularization outcomes of infrainguinal CTI
- Bypass surgery versus endovascular interventions
- The natural history of untreated severe or critical limb ischemia
- Nonrevascularization-based treatments
Learn about our mobile apps to guide the treatment of and management of CLTI (VQI CLTI Mortality Prediction Model, SVS Threatened Limb Classification [WIfI], and Global Limb Anatomic Staging System [GLASS])
Compression Therapy after Invasive Treatment of Superficial Veins of the Lower Extremities
Clinical practice guidelines on compression therapy after invasive treatment of superficial veins of the lower extremities were published by JVS-VL in January 2019.
Follow-up after Vascular Surgery Arterial Procedures
Clinical Guidelines on follow-up after vascular surgery arterial procedures were published in JVS in July 2018.
Hospital Privileges in Vascular Surgery
Clinical guidelines for hospital privileges in vascular surgery were published in JVS in May 2018.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Clinical practice guidelines on abdominal aortic aneurysm were published in JVS in January 2018. Umbrella review on diagnosis and management is embedded in published guideline.
Systematic review of surveillance after endovascular aortic repair
Request the guidelines in Spanish / Español
Management of Diabetic Foot
In Feb 2016, JVS published a supplement on management of diabetic foot with clinical practice guidelines developed by SVS in collaboration with the American Podiatric Medical Association and the Society for Vascular Medicine.
Glycemic control for the prevention of diabetic foot syndrome
Tests to predict wound healing
Débridement methods for chronic diabetic foot ulcers
Adjunctive therapies in diabetic foot ulcers
Atherosclerotic Occlusive Disease of the Lower Extremities
Clinical practice guidelines for the management of asymptomatic atherosclerotic occlusive disease and claudication were published by JVS in March 2015.
Systematic review for screening asymptomatic patients for PAD
Systematic review of treatment of intermittent claudication in the lower extremities
Lower Extremity Threatened Limb Classification System (WIfI)
In January 2014, JVS published a classification system for threatened lower limbs including risk stratification based on wound, ischemia, and foot infection.
Topics in Development
- Intermittent Claudication
- Genetically Triggered Aneurysms
- Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury
- Type B Aortic Dissections
- Diabetic Foot
- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)
Suggest new topics for vascular guidelines.
Translating Guidelines into Practice: Global Vascular Guideline on the Management of Patients with CLTI Video Series
Watch the recordings of the interactive roundtables that were hosted in the fall of 2022. Expert moderators and panelists hosted three virtual roundtables that allowed members of the vascular surgery and other specialties to attend, observe the presentations and ask the moderators and panelists questions. Each roundtable focused on different aspects of incorporating the Global Vascular Guidelines on the Management of Patients with CLTI into daily practice. Access the recordings as well as the pre- and post-assessments to start improving your practice.
Archived Guidelines
Management of venous leg ulcers (2014)
Early Thrombus Removal Strategies for Acute Deep Venous Thrombosis (2012)
Update: management of extracranial carotid disease (2011)
The care of patients with varicose veins and associated chronic venous diseases (2011)
Endovascular repair of traumatic thoracic aortic injury (2011)
Management of the left subclavian artery with thoracic endovascular aortic repair (2009)
Surgical placement and maintenance of arteriovenous hemodialysis access (2008)
Take the Survey
SVS is seeking to understand how useful the guidelines are in every day practice. Please help us to understand everyday usage and to improve our guidelines by taking this short survey.
SVS Practice Guidelines (SVS iPG) App
Download the SVS Clinical Guidelines app for on-the-go access to clinical guidelines in vascular surgery. You can find it in the Apple app store by searching "SVS iPG" (for Society for Vascular Surgery iPractice Guidelines).
Pocket Guidelines
Many SVS clinical practice guidelines are available as digital pocket guides through GuidelineCentral, including:
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
- Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia
- Follow-up After Vascular Surgery Arterial Procedures
- Management of Diabetic Foot
- Type B Aortic Dissections
- Venous Leg Ulcers
- Visceral
- Peripheral Arterial Disease
SVS Members, request your free digital guides by emailing your full name to Guidelines@VascularSociety.org for membership verification.