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Finding common ground begins with shared experiences
During the keynote address at VAM 2026, author and political commentator Michael Smerconish argued that one of the greatest challenges facing the United States is not political disagreement itself, but the steady erosion of shared experiences that once connected communities.…
Obituary: Bruce A. Perler
Bruce Alan Perler, who established the Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy at The Johns Hopkins Hospital over his 44-year tenure as a surgeon, died July 23 of complications of pancreas cancer at home with his family. He was…
Better education, communication may help reduce disparities in dialysis care
Disparities in vascular access outcomes are driven less by biology and more by inequities in education and communication, according to Karen Woo, MD, PhD, professor of surgery at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. During a session focused on…
Ascher urges specialty to take active role in developing new technologies
The E. Stanley Crawford Critical Issues Forum at VAM 2026 focused on innovations in vascular surgery and served as the setting for the launch of the Enrico Ascher Vascular Innovation Institute, a new entity under the Society for Vascular Surgery…
Carotid endarterectomy tied to lower stroke, mortality rates than stenting
Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) was associated with significantly lower long-term stroke and mortality compared to carotid artery stenting (CAS) in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease, according to a new real-world analysis. The study, which was presented at VAM 2026, compared…
Structured exercise after acute DVT may reduce long-term complications
New research presented at VAM 2026 showed how structured aerobic exercise combined with standard anticoagulation in patients with acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) may help significantly reduce the risk of developing post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). The study was funded by the…
‘It’s not us versus them’: Rethinking multidisciplinary collaboration in vascular care
How do vascular surgeons and other similar specialties come together for the benefit of the patient? That is the main question behind a session given by Caitlin Hicks, MD, associate professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, during…
Unequal Access, unequal outcomes: Addressing disparities in acute limb ischemia
Although unequal access to care is contributing to persistent disparities in acute limb ischemia (ALI), there is a lot that surgeons can do to improve it. That’s the sentiment of Katharine McGinigle, MD, associate professor of surgery at UNC School…
Shaping the vascular workforce of tomorrow
“I have been a staunch supporter of thinking ambitiously about how we maintain what should be a viable and thriving workforce that doesn’t just address capacity of surgical support but also training for what our patients need — not just our patients of today, but our patients 20 and 30 years from now,” said Dawn Coleman,…
Study explores when AAA surveillance may no longer benefit older patients
New research suggests that surveillance for small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) may not always provide meaningful benefit in older patients, particularly those with significant comorbidities. The data was presented during Plenary Session 5 by Sowmya Mangipudi, MD, MSc. The study…