In this issue: 2G uest editorial Who’s covering second? Rogue hospital human resource departments 6C omplex aortic National survey of off-label treatment probes underreported outcomes data
AUGUST 2024 Volume 20 Number 8
THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE
11 B randing Membership benefits expand amid dues increase 13 Vascular heritage SVS History Work Group’s landmark project culminates in new book
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PERIPHERAL HISTOLOGY
SVS URGES REVISIONS FOR INDEPENDENT CARDIOLOGY CERTIFICATION BOARD By Marlén Gomez
ichael Conte, MD, recently used his 2024 Veith Lecture to call on young vascular surgeons on the peripheral arterial disease (PAD) frontlines to drive the space forward amid a great unmet need. The professor and chief of vascular and endovascular surgery at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) called on those in the vascular surgical specialty to take the lead in confronting the challenges of the global PAD burden and in furthering the science. He laid down the gauntlet. But many are already answering the call. And some have already been chosen. One of those pressing at the leading edges of the PAD frontier is Trisha Roy, MD. The University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada-trained vascular surgeon-scientist recently received a $3.3 million funding boost from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to push on with a cutting-edge imaging technique aimed at pinpointing who benefits from an open bypass vs. endovascular intervention, as well as more accurately tailoring device selection. Now based at Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Roy is deep in the throes of developing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-histology technique to help distinguish plaque morphology in PAD. As she puts it, the method is “unlike anything we have right now.” Establishing how hard or soft a plaque is via computed tomography (CT), X-ray or ultrasound is not possible, Roy explains. That makes figuring out whether an individual patient would be a good or bad candidate for an endovascular intervention on the same basis falls short. “If you have something
THE SOCIETY FOR VASCULAR Surgery (SVS) has expressed conditional support for cardiology establishing an independent certification board but objects to provisions in the current American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCVM) proposal as they conflict significantly with the mission and requirements of the Vascular Surgery Board (VSB), which already issues a primary certificate issued by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The proposal requires critical revisions to address the underrepresentation of vascular expertise and training needed to fully care for patients with vascular disease and ensure high standards of care, the Society said. In a detailed comment letter submitted July 10, the SVS took the lead with other vascular societies to outline concerns and suggested improvements to the ABCVM proposal, which is currently under review by the ABMS Advisory Council. “Not surprisingly, the SVS’ perspective on the strengths and areas for improvement of the ABCVM proposal was echoed by numerous other national and regional vascular surgery societies, who joined us in providing feedback to the ABMS on this proposal. Ultimately, we are all deeply invested in assuring that the care provided to our patients with vascular disease meets the highest of quality standards in order to serve the public to the best of our ability,” said Bernadette Aulivola, MD, a member of the SVS Executive Board and the VSB of the American Board of Surgery (ABS). The ABMS opened a 90day comment period April 24 to gather feedback on the proposed ABCVM. If approved,
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Histology of vessel wall damage after intervention: (left to right) control; plain balloon angioplasty; and orbital atherectomy plus angioplasty
‘Choosing the right devices for the right patients’ Surgeon-scientist secures NIH funding to develop MRI technique for precision PAD care By Bryan Kay
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