News and New Products
AngioDynamics Names Alan Panzer SVP, GM of Vascular Division
ALBANY , N.Y. – AngioDynamics (NA SDA Q: ANGO ), has appointed Alan Panzer, 50, as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Company’s Vascular Division. Mr. Panzer will report to President and CEO Joseph M. DeVivo. Mr. Panzer brings more than 20 years of industry experience to AngioDynamics. He most recently served as President & CEO of DeVilbiss Healthcare, where he successfully executed the challenging refocusing of the organization, leading to a turnaround of the company and profitability. Prior to DeVilbiss, Mr. Panzer was President of United States Surgical & Valleylab, now a business unit of Covidien, where annual revenue grew from $550 million to $1.2 billion during his tenure.
“Alan’s broad executive leadership and commercial experience at multiple surgical device and vascular organizations will help our vascular division meet its full potential,” said Mr. DeVivo. “Alan has proven his ability to understand customers’ and patients’ needs, organize to meet them, and make great inroads into new and existing markets. We are excited to have him join our team.”
“AngioDynamics has sizable opportunities ahead of it, and possesses the financial flexibility and enviable pipeline to fully develop those opportunities,” said Mr. Panzer. “There is a highly experienced leadership team positioned to grow the company, and I am eager to start working with its members.” Visit the AngioDynamics site at www.AngioDynamics.com
BioMedix™ Appoints David Lerner as Chief Technology Officer St Paul, MN – BioMedix™ announces the appointment of David Lerner as Chief Technology Officer (CTO ), where he will lead the company’s vision and strategy in technological development. In this role, Mr. Lerner will work with the BioMedix™ development and IT teams to build upon the company’s high standards for technological innovation.
David Lerner is an industry leader in the design of medical devices and software. As the VP of Engineering, and later CTO , at BioMedix™ from 1997 to 2002, Mr. Lerner’s work was key in helping to develop the company’s original product line, including the Portable Vascular Lab (PVL), which has evolved into one of the company’s flagship products, PAD net™+. Mr.
Lerner has held leadership positions at several successful medical technology organizations, has made significant contributions in product development, design, engineering, quality assurance and holds several patents for device design. Mr. Lerner has served as Vice President of Engineering and Technology for both Image Sensing Systems, Inc. and Telex Communications, Inc. During his tenure at those firms, he directed large teams of technical personnel at multiple domestic and international locations engaged in product development and R & D activities with a strong focus on innovation and on-time delivery.
“We are excited that David is returning to BioMedix™,” said John Romans, BioMedix™ President and CEO , “With his extensive track record of accomplishment and experience in driving technical innovation, his leadership will be instrumental to supporting our ongoing mission of advancing technology- enabled collaborative care.”
Mr. Lerner will utilize his expertise in devising and implementing solutions to business challenges in areas such as technology and innovation management, manufacturing and regulatory affairs as he reprises his role at BioMedix™. He holds a BS in Electronics Engineering from the State University of New York and an MS in Management from the University of Minnesota.
“As CTO at BioMedix™, I will be overseeing the development and enhancement of technology that connects caregivers across different stages of patient and disease treatment,” said Mr. Lerner, “I look forward to continuing to streamline the way the healthcare community collaborates, ultimately improving the quality of care.” Visit the BioMedix™ site at www.BioMedix.com
MEDRAD, INC. Acquires Pathway Medical Technologies Leverkusen, Germany – Bayer HealthCare announced that its affiliate, MEDRAD , INC . has acquired Pathway Medical Technologies, Inc., of Kirkland, WA . Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. With this acquisition, Bayer HealthCare is strengthening its MEDRAD Interventional business by expanding its presence in the field of vascular intervention technologies.
Pathway Medical Technologies is a leader in mechanical atherectomy in the field of vascular intervention. The company’s products clear out blockages in the leg, also known as Peripheral Arterial Disease or PAD . Pathway’s JET STREAM ® devices, for example, allow for a minimally invasive procedure designed to restore circulation in the peripheral arteries by reducing vascular narrowing caused by plaque. With differential cutting, JET STREAM products are designed to remove plaque without harming healthy tissue. For the more than 12 million people alone in the U.S. estimated to have some form of PAD , Pathway products offer minimally invasive treatment options to remove calcified and fibrotic plaque and restore circulation in the peripheral arteries.
“The combination of MEDRAD and Pathway Medical Technologies underscores our strategic commitment to the treatment of patients in the growing interventional field,” said Dr. Jörg Reinhardt, Chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer HealthCare. “Pathway’s products complement MEDRAD Interventional’s current and future portfolio including our injectors, thrombectomy devices and the Cotavance® paclitaxel coated balloon catheter with Paccocath® technology* and will enable us to extend value to customers and patients through broader product options to diagnose and treat PAD .”
Pathway’s JET STREAM alongside Bayer HealthCare’s offerings in this sector create a suite of products designed to assess vascular disease, to restore blood flow in diseased vessels and then to confirm treatment effectiveness, in support of MEDRAD Interventional’s overall product strategy. MEDRAD currently boasts offerings in peripheral artery disease (PAD ) treatment with its AngioJet and Cotavance products. With the addition of Pathway’s JET STREAM product, MEDRAD offers a full range of product options for treatment of PAD .
“From Pathway’s perspective, Bayer HealthCare’s broad and proven international distribution infrastructure presents an exciting platform for the more rapid expansion of Pathway’s product portfolio into attractive and largely underpenetrated international markets,” said Pathway Medical Technologies President and CEO Paul Buckman.
The Cotavance catheter received CE Mark certification in Europe in 2011. MEDRAD Interventional is also moving forward with the Investigational Device Exemption (IDE ) process as one of the steps in gaining FDA approval for
Cotavance product in the United States.
Visit the Pathway Medical Technologies site at www.pathwaymedical.com
Visit the MEDRAD’s site at www.medrad.com
Visit the Bayer HealthCare’s site at www.bayerhealthcare.com
Stryker Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Privately Held Concentric Medical, Inc. for $135 Million
Kalamazoo, MI - Stryker Corporation (NY SE:SYK) announced today a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Concentric Medical, Inc. (Concentric) in an all cash transaction for $135 million. Founded in 1999 and based in Mountain View, CA , Concentric develops, manufactures and markets minimally invasive products for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AI S). Concentric’s products include devices for the removal of thrombus in patients experiencing acute ischemic stroke along with a broad range of AI S access products. In addition, the company has an IDE clinical trial underway in the U.S. for its next generation clot removal product, the Trevo(TM ) Retriever device utilizing Stentriever(TM ) technology.
With projected sales in 2011 estimated to be over $30 million, the acquisition of Concentric provides Stryker immediate access into the AI S market segment in the U.S., Europe and Japan. Also, it brings Concentric, the leading team in AI S, together with Stryker Neurovascular’s leading team in hemorrhagic stroke, to provide complete interventional stroke care for customers and patients around the world.
“Stryker is committed to advancing care within the interventional neurovascular space. The acquisition of Concentric Medical and its leadership team provides us with the opportunity to leverage our global distribution capabilities and help bring innovative treatment options to the large and underserved ischemic stroke population,” said Stephen P. MacMillan, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stryker.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. Upon closing, the transaction is expected to be neutral to Stryker’s 2011 earnings per share. The transaction is expected to close early in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Citi served as Stryker’s exclusive financial advisor in connection with this transaction.
Stryker is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies and is dedicated to helping healthcare professionals perform their jobs more efficiently while enhancing patient care. The Company offers a diverse array of innovative medical technologies including reconstructive implants, medical and surgical equipment, and neurotechnology and spine products to help people lead more active and more satisfying lives. Visit the Stryker site at www.stryker.com
CoolTouch Announces 6th Annual Laser Giveaway Event at ACP Annual Meeting
ROSEVI LLE, CA – CoolTouch will hold their 6th Annual Laser Giveaway on November 4th, 2011 in conjunction with the American College of Phlebology’s Annual Meeting being held in Los Angeles, CA from November 3rd -5th, 2011. Join CoolTouch and an expert panel including Drs Mark Forrestal, John Kingsley & Thomas Proebstle to discuss “hot topics” in the phlebology industry. Enjoy comedic entertainment and the anticipation of the laser giveaway excitement; you don’t want to miss this event!
The event will be held directly after the exhibitor evening reception on Friday, November 4th, 2011 from 8pm-10pm near the exhibit hall at the JW Marriott Live in Los Angeles, CA . Register for the laser giveaway at CoolTouch’s booth #500 at the AC P Show. Visit the CoolTouch site at www.CoolTouch.com
Multicenter RCT Abstract Highlighting Spiracur’s SNaP System Wins Highest Scoring Award at Symposium for Advanced Wound Care
SUNNYVA LE, CA . – The Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC ) has awarded David G. Armstrong, DPM, MD , PhD, et al, the highest scoring abstract in the clinical research category for their poster entitled, “Comparative Effectiveness of Mechanically and Electrically Powered Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT ) Devices: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.” The poster highlights the treatment options of chronic wounds, and includes analysis in support of the safety of the delivery of negative pressure for wound healing.
Dr. Armstrong’s winning poster highlights a 17-center randomized- controlled trial (RCT ), which enrolled 132 subjects with chronic, non-infected, non-ischemic, non-plantar lower extremity diabetic and venous wounds. The study was designed to compare the ultraportable mechanically powered SNaP® Wound Care System from Spiracur Inc. to the electrically powered Vacuum-Assisted Closure (V.A.C.®)Therapy System from Kinetic Concepts, Inc. Data includes promising analysis supporting the efficacy and safety of the SNaP System in the treatment of chronic lower extremity wounds. Dr. Armstrong, principal investigator of the study, along with William A. Marston, MD , Alexander M. Reyzelman, DPM and Robert S. Kirsner, MD , PhD, have completed the study and submitted the final manuscript for peer-review.
According to Dr. Armstrong, Professor of Surgery and Director of the Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA) at the University of Arizona, “The results from this study are rather encouraging. They lend further evidence to the body of literature surrounding NPWT , which can only help us further in our efforts to heal wounds and prolong the quality and quantity of life for our patients.”
“We are thrilled that Dr. Armstrong’s poster is recognized as the highest scoring abstract in the clinical research category by wound care experts at one of the largest, and most esteemed conferences for wound care specialists and clinicians in the nation,” said Gary Restani, president and CEO for Spiracur Inc.
Spiracur Donates 25 SNaP Wound Care Systems for UCSF IGOT Use and Training in Tanzania
SUNNYVA LE, CA .– Spiracur Inc. announced the donation of 25 SNaP® Wound Care Systems for teaching and use in Tanzania by the Institute for Global Orthopaedics & Traumatology (IGOT ), a non-profit program started by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. The expeditions to Tanzania and other developing countries are part of a large-scale study to understand patient care and assess the burden of disease in resourcepoor countries in comparison to resource-rich countries.
The focus of the Tanzania expedition, under the guidance of Amir Matityahu, M.D., assistant clinical professor, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, and director of Pelvis and Acetabular Trauma Reconstruction at San Francisco General Hospital and the Orthopaedic TraumaInstitute (OTI ), is to offer academic orthopaedic surgeons the ability to collaborate with fellow surgeons at the Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute in Dar as Salaam, introduce the SNaP device, teach, learn and gather data for research.
“In Tanzania, it is very common for a patient who comes to the hospital with an open wound to lay in the hallway for days before treatment is administered,” Dr. Matityahu said.
“The conditions are not sanitary and electrical power is erratic at best. Often, patient’s wounds will drain openly attracting flies and other insects.” The SNaP System (Smart Negative Pressure®) is an easyto- use device that is completely silent and lightweight, weighing only 2.2 ounces. The system requires no electricity or batteries, which offers a reliable clinical solution in resource poor countries. In a U.S. multicenter randomized-controlled trial (RCT ), the SNaP device demonstrated similar healing to a traditional electrically powered pump device for refractory chronic wounds. To date, this 17-center study is the only head to head RCT done comparing NPWT devices. The study also demonstrated that the SNaP system was easier to use, it improved quality of life, and it required half the time of skilled nursing staff to apply to wounds. In addition to Tanzania, the SNaP System has been donated to relief efforts in Haiti.
“It is a privilege to be working with Dr. Matityahu and his team by donating SNaP systems to this critically important project,” said Gary Restani, president and CEO , Spiracur Inc. “We believe many lives will be positively impacted as the IGOT expeditions and research continues in Tanzania, coupled with the training and collaborative efforts between Dr. Matityahu, the OTI team and the surgeons at the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute.”
About Spiracur Inc.Spiracur Inc., headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA , is a privately held medical device company focused on the development of innovative wound healing technologies. The SNaP Wound Care System was cleared by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA ) in August 2009 in a new therapy category defined as “non-powered” NPWT devices, and the company obtained CE Mark for the
device in December 2010. Visit the Spiracur site at www.spiracure.com
Physicians and Leaders Supporting Vascular Health Deservedly Recognized
2011 Vascular Disease Foundation Award Winners Announced at Annual Meeting
Denver, CO – The Vascular Disease Foundation (VD F) presented its annual awards at the organization’s eighth annual meeting in Washington. The awards honor the work of citizens, health care providers, organizations, researchers and companies that have enhanced the understanding and/or treatment of peripheral vascular diseases.
The most prestigious award, the Julius H. Jacobson , MD Award for Physician Excellence, recognizes outstanding contributions to physician education, leadership and patient care in vascular diseases. This year’s recipient is Barry T. Katzen, MD , medical director of Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute in Miami and professor of radiology at the University of Miami.
Dr. Katzen has done much to advance the cause of endovascular interventions including pioneering many of the methods of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and was one of the first to popularize fibrinolytic therapy. His most unique contribution to education was pioneering the use of “live-case” tutorial for vascular education which has evolved into a teaching tool for procedure-oriented specialties.
The VD F President’s Awards recognize individuals who have assisted the foundation in accomplishing its mission to improve health for all by reducing death and disability from vascular diseases.
“The President’s Awards for Vision, Leadership, Inspiration and Partnership show our appreciation for the extraordinary initiatives to support the foundation’s efforts to increase awareness of vascular disease and enhance patient lives,” said Robert McLafferty, MD , president of the VD F.
This year’s President’s Awards were presented as follows:
President’s Award for Inspiration was given to Beth Murray, MS, NP the HeartCaring/Cardiac Outreach Coordinator at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center in Patchogue, NY .
President’s Award for Leadership was given to Anton N. Sidawy, MD , MPH, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery at the George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, DC . Dr. Sidawy also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Vascular Surgery and he is a Past-President of the Society for Vascular Surgery. Having served on VD F’s Board of Directors since June 2003, Dr. Sidawy was VD F’s President-Elect and President from 2006 to 2010.
President’s Award for Partnership was given to American Association of CardioVascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACV PR). For over a year the AACV PR had partnered with VD F to create, review and promote the PAD Exercise Toolkit, and has cross-promoted the program to its members. President’s Award for Vision was given to the Center for Vascular Awareness in Albany, NY and Dr. Manish Mehta, vascular surgeon and endovascular specialist, for their advancement of vascular awareness through quarterly meetings held for health care providers and others in the community.
“It gives me great honor to present these awards on behalf of VD F,” said McLafferty. “This year’s recipients have made such an outstanding contribution to not only VD F but the field of vascular medicine. It is such a privilege to acknowledge those committed to advancing the field of vascular disease.” Visit the Vascular Disease Foundation’s site at www.vdf.org
Exceptional Contributions to Venous Disease Research Recognized
Venous Disease Coalition Announces 2011 Research Award Winners at Its Annual Meeting
Denver, CO – The Venous Disease Coalition (VDC ) presented its annual research awards at the Vascular Disease Foundation’s eighth annual meeting in Washington. The awards recognize the important research relevant to the understanding and/or treatment of venous diseases.
The awards for studies published in 2010 in peer-reviewed medical literature are made in three distinct categories, including Basic Science, Clinical Outcomes and Quality Improvement and Implementation of Best Practices. The winning studies must provide important or novel insights for each category. The winners and their work are as follows:
The Basic Science Research Award was presented to Tobias Fuchs, Ph.D - Fuchs TA . Brill A. Duerschmied D. Schatzberg D. Monestier M. Myers DD Jr. Wrobleski SK. Wakefield TW . Hartwig JH. Wagner DD . Extracellular DNA traps promote thrombosis. (Proc Nat Acad Sci. 2010;107(36):15880-5.
The Clinical Outcomes Research Award was presented to Susan Kahn, MD - Kahn SR, Shrier I, Shapiro S, et al. Six-month exercise training program to treat post-thrombotic syndrome: a randomized controlled two-centre trial. (Canadian Medical Association Journal 2011;183:37)
The Research Related to Implementation of Quality Improvement, or Public Awareness of the Impact of Venous Disease Research Award was presented to James Douketis, MD - Douketis J, Tosetto A, Marcucci M, et al. Risk of recurrence after venous thromboembolism in men and women: patient level meta-analysis. (British Medical Journal 2011;342: d813.) and Douketis J, Tosetto A, Marcucci M, et al. Patientlevel meta-analysis: effect of measurement timing, threshold, and patient age on ability of D-dimer testing to assess recurrence risk after unprovoked venous thromboembolism. (Annals of Internal Medicine. 2010;153(8):523-531.)
Winners received a plaque and $1,000 at the Vascular Disease Foundation’s annual meeting in Washington. Visit the Venous Disease Coalition site at www.venousdiseasecoalition.org
Peripheral Arterial Disease Research Recognized by Vascular Disease Foundation
2011 P.A.D. Research Award Winners at Announced VD F’s Annual Meeting
Denver, CO – The Vascular Disease Foundation’s P.A.D. Coalition presented awards for Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) research at its eighth annual meeting in Washington. The awards recognize research relevant to the understanding and/or treatment of arterial diseases.
The awards for studies published in 2010 in peer-reviewed medical literature are made in three distinct categories, including Epidemiology/Preventive Medicine, Vascular Medicine and Vascular Interventions. The winning studies must provide novel insight into the mechanism of lower extremity atherosclerosis; mechanisms of progression; detection of P.A.D. in populations; the impact of P.A.D. on limb symptoms or quality of life; psychosocial effects of the disease; economic or health services impact; or impact of this disease on systemic rates of myocardial infarction, stroke, or amputation for each category.
The winners and their work are as follows:
Epidemiology/Preventative Medicine was presented to Cynthia St. Hilaire, PhD - Cynthia St. Hilaire, Ph.D., Shira G. Ziegler, B.A., Thomas C. Markello, M.D., Ph.D., Alfredo Brusco, Ph.D., Catherine Groden, M.S., Fred Gill, M.D., Hannah Carlson-Donohoe, B.A., Robert J. Lederman, M.D., Marcus Y. Chen, M.D., Dan Yang, M.D., Ph.D., Michael P. Siegenthaler, M.D., Carlo Arduino, M.D., Cecilia Mancini, M.Sc., Bernard Freudenthal, M.D., Horia C. Stanescu, M.D., Anselm A. Zdebik, M.D., Ph.D., R. Krishna Chaganti, M.D., Robert L. Nussbaum, M.D., Robert Kleta, M.D., Ph.D., William A. Gahl, M.D., Ph.D., and Manfred Boehm, M.D. NT 5E Mutations and Arterial Calcifications (New England Journal of Medicine. 2011;364:432-42.)
Vascular Medicine was presented to Michael C. Langham, PhD - Michael C. Langham, PHD, Thomas F. Floyd, MD , Emile R. Mohler III , MD , Jeremy F. Magland, PHD, Felix W. Wehrli, PHD Evaluation of Cuff-Induced Ischemia in the Lower Extremity by Magnetic Resonance Oximetry. (Journal of the American College of Cardiology, February 9, 2010; 55: 598 – 606)
Vascular Interventions was presented to Jill J.F. Belch, MD - Jill J.F. Belch, MD , FRC P,a John Dormandy, MD , FRC S,b and the CA SPAR Writing Committee Results of the randomized, placebo- controlled clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid in bypass surgery for peripheral arterial disease (CA SPAR ) trial (Journal of Vascular Surgery. 2010 Oct;52(4):825-33 , 833 .e1-2.)
Research winners received a plaque and $1,000 at the Vascular Disease Foundation’s annual meeting in Washington.
Also awarded were the Stay in Circulation Community Service Awards for both national and local campaigns to increase public and health care provider awareness of P.A.D. and its association with other cardiovascular diseases.
Stay in Circulation Community Service Award for a Local Campaign was presented to John Martin, MD for Dare to C.A.R.E. (DTC ), a program started by the Annapolis vascular surgeon. He has screened – for free – more than 30,000 people since 2000, half of whom were found to have some vascular disease. Many attendees have had life-saving procedures as a result of disease detected at DTC events. Through the efforts of volunteers and the use of lectures, educational materials, free ultrasound testing and meetings with cardiovascular specialists, DTC brings the important message to the public that complications of cardiovascular disease can be prevented.
Stay in Circulation Community Service Award for a National Campaign was presented to BioMedix and ev3.
Partnering with the P.A.D. Coalition, ev3 and BioMedix provided funding for a pilot P.A.D. screening event in four markets. In addition to the personnel and equipment resources needed for the screening program, the partner ship allowed for the creation of a screening toolkit, which included materials that assisted any interested facility to use in creating their own screening events. These materials are available on the P.A.D. Coalition website (www. PADC oalition.org) and are being used in a larger launch program of 40 sites in 2011.
PAD Guidelines Undergo Facelift The American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACC F) and the American Heart Association (AHA) released updated guidelines Sept. 29 for the management and treatment for peripheral artery disease (PAD ). The updates included recommended changes in practices for diagnostics, medications, interventions and patient services. PAD affects 8 million Americans, and up to 20 percent of the PAD population is 65 years or older, according to the Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2011 Update.
Vice Chair of the Writing Group Alan T. Hirsch, MD , a professor at the Lillehei Heart Institute and cardiovascular division at the University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis, emphasized that PAD can be costly and deadly if undetected or managed inadequately. In research based on the Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REAC H) registry, his team found a high rate of hospitalizations for study participants with PAD —23 percent for asymptomatic PAD patients and 31 percent for symptomatic patients.
The average two-year hospitalization cost per patient with asymptomatic PAD was $7,445. The average two-year cost for PAD patients with a history of revascularizations was $11,693.
“This guideline is especially important for PAD , which is often still treated less aggressively than heart disease, and we know that many patients do not receive ideal care,” Thom W. Rooke, MD , a professor of vascular medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and chair of the writing group, said in a statement.
Updated recommendations include:
• Lowering the age for the ankle-brachial index (ABI) diagnostic testing in the practice setting from 70 years of age to 65 years or older, in keeping with new findings of prevalence in the younger age group;
• I mproved use of anticlotting agents;
• I ncreasing efforts to help smokers with PAD quit the habit with better access to smoking cessation programs, counseling, pharmacologic therapies and consistently inquiring about tobacco use during patient visits;
• C onsidering leg artery angioplasty as a first line of treatment for some people with severe PAD who may face amputation; and
• Recognizing that traditional open surgical and less invasive endovascular treatments for aortic aneurysms are nearly equally efficacious and safe.
Rooke highlighted ABI as a cost-effective and risk-free test that offers opportunities for early intervention. “[W]hen we check ABI to detect PAD in a patient without clear-cut leg symptoms, it is known that we are effectively assessing overall heart and vascular health,” he said. “If PAD is detected, effective risk reduction medications are available to lower this risk.
“While there have been progressive improvements in PAD care, it appears that even simple ‘interventions’ like appropriate prescription of smoking cessation and exercise are not utilized by clinicians, healthcare systems and payors,” Hirsch said in a statement. “We still have a long way to go; the opportunity for prevention and earlier life-saving interventions is immense. This guideline provides a road map.”
The guidelines are designed to help cardiologists, vascular surgeons, vascular medicine specialists, interventional radiologists, pulmonologists, and primary care physicians care for patients with PAD , which is often asymptomatic.
The guidelines update the original 2005 recommendations and are based on a review of new evidence-based clinical trials and other data that were assessed by members of the ACC F, AHA, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Interventional Radiology, Society of Vascular Medicine and the Society for Vascular Surgery.
The guidelines will be published in the Nov. 1 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and are now available online http://tinyurl.com/3pjuetv
P.A.D. Coalition
The Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) Coalition is an alliance of more than 80 North American health organizations, professional societies, government agencies and corporations united to improve the health and care of patients with P.A.D. Established in 2004, the P.A.D. Coalition is an initiative of the Vascular Disease Foundation (www.vdf. org), a national, not-for-profit section 501(c)(3) organization. It is supported in part by the following national sponsors: the Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership; Cordis Endovascular, a division of Cordis Corporation; Abbott Vascular; AstraZeneca; Bard Peripheral Vascular; BioMedix; Cook Medical, Inc;, ev3 Endovascular, Inc.; W.L. Gore & Associates; Medtronic, Aastrom; PADT est; Summit Doppler and Unetixs/Cardiac Science. The P.A.D. Coalition seeks to improve the prevention, early detection, treatment, and rehabilitation of people with, or at risk for, PAD .
Visit the P.A.D. Coalition site at www.padcoalition.org