Brought to you by:
IVUS use in claudicants not associated with improved outcomes, claims data show
The use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) for the treatment of claudication doubled over a four-year period but there was “no clear relationship between IVUS use and improved patient outcomes,” a recently presented retrospective analysis of claims data showed. Researchers found…
Society for Vascular Surgery addresses latest mainstream media reports on atherectomy
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) has issued a statement addressing the latest reports published by ProPublica on atherectomy use in the U.S. The nonprofit investigative news outlet published three articles in its latest round of investigations looking into Medicare…
Changing course: The natural history of tibial claudication comes under scrutiny as interventions for ‘relatively benign’ disease trend upward
In the end, reflected Michael S. Conte, MD, “it’s not the evidence.” The leading vascular surgeon and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) expert made the bold statement during the recent 2023 VEITHsymposium (Nov. 14–18) as he pointedly asked a room full…
Viabahn use in claudicants with long, complex SFA lesions ‘safe and effective’ through five years
Recently published research indicates that stent grafting with the Viabahn endoprosthesis (W L Gore & Associates) of long and complex superficial femoral artery (SFA) lesions in patients with claudication is a safe and effective long-term treatment option. Writing in the Journal of Vascular…
The top 10 most popular Vascular Specialist stories in February
February’s top 10 includes a highlight from the 2022 Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Society (VESS) winter annual meeting and an interview with Melissa Kirkwood, MD, and colleagues at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas, regarding the lightweight shield designed to reduce…
Index atherectomy interventions for claudication ‘is associated with higher’ reintervention rates vs. other technologies
Atherectomy use during index peripheral vascular interventions in claudicants is associated with higher reintervention rates when compared to other technologies, a newly unveiled study by Caitlin Hicks, MD, and colleagues at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, shows. The researchers…
Key players behind first SVS AUC on claudication unpack details of development process
Vascular surgeons have a history of going the extra mile to do the right thing for their patients. So went the theme of one of the comments sent in near the close of a recent Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS)…
‘Do we need to do a better job of making devices that fit female anatomy?’
It was a burning question posed from the conference floor, and it led to some approving social media nods in its aftermath: Does the tone of conversation around the vascular anatomy of females need to morph into a discussion about…
Latest meta-analysis on paclitaxel in peripheral arterial disease provokes mixed reception
“There appears to be heightened risk of major amputation after use of paclitaxel-coated balloons [PCBs] in the peripheral arteries,” findings from a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular…
Study identifies ‘critical need’ for guidelines on appropriate use of atherectomy
No data currently exist to support the use of atherectomy over other procedures for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and the healthcare expenditure associated with the procedure is substantial, write Caitlin W. Hicks MD, assistant professor of surgery at John…