Last month, the most read stories from Vascular Specialist included data releases from the recent Midwestern Vascular Surgical Society (MVSS) using direct revascularization of segmental arteries to prevent spinal cord ischemia; a reflection on the crucial role of vascular nurses during Vascular Nurses Week and a multi-society update on new guidelines for the management of varicose veins of the lower extremities.
1. When women are PIs: A story foretold on the vascular frontlines
“Multifactorial” issues persist in gender representation in vascular leadership and trial enrollment, leading women vascular surgeons tell Vascular Specialist. “We would have fewer untoward side effects, fewer drugs removed from the market by the FDA [Food and Drug Administration], and, ultimately, better outcomes in women,” states Melina R. Kibbe, MD, dean at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virgina, as she reflects on two decades of missed opportunities.
2. Why CMS should still not extend reimbursement indications for carotid stenting or other carotid ‘revascularization’ procedures
This commentary—authored by Anne Abbott, PhD, MBBS, Lawrence Schott, MD, Lan Gao, MMed, PhD, Hrvoje Budincevic, MD, PhD, Rishad Faruqi, MD, Tatjana Rundek, MD, PhD, Jean-Baptiste Ricco, MD, PhD, Saeid Shahidi, MD, and Gert J. de Borst, MD, PhD—consists of a multinational, multispecialty, multidisciplinary updated evidence review and policy advice.
3. Preventing spinal cord ischemia: Novel techniques for direct segmental artery revascularization show promise, WVS 2023 hears
A vascular surgery team from the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles demonstrated the feasibility of multidisciplinary direct revascularization of segmental arteries to prevent spinal cord ischemia (SCI) using novel endovascular or extra-anatomic bypass techniques in high-risk patients with complex thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs).
4. Vascular Nurses Week shines spotlight on vital role in patient care and innovation
Vascular Nurses Week—Sept. 10–16—serves as a reminder of the role vascular professionals play in patient care, education and research. Kristen Alix, MS, ANP-BC, AGACNP-BC, CVN, a vascular nurse since 1997 and the president of the Society for Vascular Nursing (SVN), emphasizes that this celebratory week is about more than receiving recognition.
5. Multi-society guidelines on varicose vein management published
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), American Venous Forum (AVF), and American Vein and Lymphatic Society (AVLS) have released the second and final part of new guidelines for the management of varicose veins of the lower extremities.
6. SAVS makes travel scholarship applications call for 2024 meeting
The Southern Association for Vascular Surgery (SAVS) has put out a call for applications from medical students and general surgery residents for 20 travel scholarships now available to attend the 2024 SAVS annual meeting.
7. MVSS 2023: Aulivola takes over Midwestern Vascular reins
Bernadette Aulivola, MD, the division director of vascular surgery and endovascular therapy at Loyola University in Maywood, Illinois, took over as president of the Midwestern Vascular Surgical Society (MVSS) at the conclusion of the MVSS annual business meeting held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Sept. 8.
8. SVS urges members to take part in compensation survey—and bolster results
Organizers behind an SVS-commissioned financial compensation survey are calling on more members to fill out the short list of questions so that they can break a key 20% response-rate target and begin to publish data gleaned from participants.
9. FDA approves LimFlow system for ‘no-option’ CLTI patients
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced approval of LimFlow therapy—a novel and minimally invasive procedure designed to bypass blockages in arteries of the legs and restore blood flow for many thousands of people suffering from chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).
10. Humacyte announces positive top line results from Phase 2/3 trial of Human Acellular Vessel in treatment of patients with vascular trauma
Humacyte has announced positive top line results from its V005 Phase 2/3 trial of the Human Acellular Vessel (HAV) in vascular trauma repair.
