On Saturday, March 24, the Society of Interventional Radiology’s 2012 Annual Scientific Meeting will begin in San Francisco at the Moscone Convention Center. The event promises to promote SIR ’s mission to” improve the health of the public through pioneering advances in image-guided therapy.” Meeting attendees will gain insights into the latest research, techniques and technologies through a host of informative symposia, workshops and plenary and scientific sessions lead by key leaders in the areas of vascular disease management and interventional radiology.
“The scientific sessions at this year’s annual meeting will include many abstracts highlight current research relating to the care of patients with venous disease including the treatment of deep venous insufficiency with bioprosthetic valves, the treatment of superficial venous insufficiency with both laser and RF ablation, the treatment of venous thromboembolic disease with thrombolysis and IVC filters, and potential role of treating chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency in patients with multiple sclerosis,” notes Gary P. Siskin, M.D., FSIR , the 2012 SIR Annual Scientific Meeting scientific program chair and chair of the radiology department at Albany Medical Center, N.Y.
The meeting’s week-long agenda combines several learning formats covering a wide array of topics which are sure to add valuable tools to your overall practice. Following are some of the noteworthy issues scheduled for discussion:
Featured Symposia
Saturday’s half-day symposium is designed to provide comprehensive learning opportunities which will focus on the newest, cutting-edge topics within the field of IR . First, In Depth Endovascular Management of PAD : Outcomes Data, Clinical Management and Controversies will discuss PAD topics including infra-inguinal, aorto-iliac, renal, carotid and AAA interventions. Then, Comprehensive Management of Superficial and Deep Venous Diseases will be featured on the treatment of deep venous disease, superficial venous disease and CC SVI , as well as techniques and post-procedure management. The aim is ending each of the categories with two or three major points that will help attendees become experts in their practice.
“In coordinating the deep venous session, the goal is to highlight the dilemmas and physical decisions encountered in the treatment of deep venous disease,” explains Mark J. Garcia, M.D., FSIR , one of the segment coordinators and chair of SIR ’s Venous Service Line and chief, vascular interventional radiology, medical director, heart & vascular peripheral labs,
Christiana Care Health Services, Newark, Del. “We’ve scheduled 8-minute segments that will address the proper assessment of patients with deep venous disease, whether we should treat and/or stent iliac and femoral cases, the essentials of long-term management of chronic DVT patients, the art of clot removal, methods for improving outcomes, the care of venous wounds, what to do with lymphadema, and revolutionizing venous care. Physicians should walk away with a solid knowledge base of issues they will encounter and ways of advancing their practices,” he says.
Plenary Sessions
These featured sessions highlight core topics in today’s interventional radiology, presented by key leaders in the field. Check out Advances in Embolization Therapies – New Territories, New Materials; Integrated practices and IR : Opportunities for Program Development; IR Economics: Overcoming Challenges and Delivering Quality Care; Hot Topics Debate; Gold Medal Presentations and Film Panel; and Lower Extremity Revascularization: What We Are, Where We’re Going.
Categorical Courses
These courses are designed to allow attendees to look at timely topics through case-based and lessons-learned lenses. Standouts include Case-based Review: Arterial and Venous Disease; Venothromboembolic Disease: A to Z; and Targeted Therapies in IR : From Bench to Bedside. Workshops
“The 2012 SIR Annual Scientific Meeting includes a series of workshops offering comprehensive coverage of lower extremity venous disease. These topics include: endovascular ablation/ venous sclerosis, acute deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolus, chronic venous occlusions and IVC filters—placement and retrieval,” notes Daniel B. Brown, M.D., FSIR , the 2012 Annual Scientific Meeting workshop chair and chief of interventional radiology and interventional oncology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
in Philadelphia, Pa. “These sessions have been arranged in such a way that attendees can attend all workshops during the course of the meeting. Additional related workshop topics include treatment of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CC SVI ), vascular malformation management and treatment of pelvic congestion,” adds Brown.
These workshops provide intense, targeted learning opportunities, often in a “hands on” format. Space is limited due to the nature of the learning model to facilitate interaction between faculty and attendees. Registration for the workshops is available prior to the meeting and only available online, so be sure to register early if you wish to attend. A large array of topics are planned, including Cosmetic IR , Embolization, Vascular Anomalies, Getting Started in IR Research, CC SVI , PAD , Practice Development, Time Management, Vein Clinic, and Venous Thromboembolic Disease.
Exam preparation and content review courses for the Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI ) credential are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, which will aid in preparing attendees who wish to sit for the ultrasound credential examination from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDM S). This course requires preregistration and a separate registration fee.
Register now for the 2012 meeting in Chicago. Early bird registration ends February 17. For more information, visit www.sirmeeting.org.
Mahmood K. Razavi, M.D., is the SIR 37th Annual Scientific Meeting Chair. Dr. Razavi is with the St. Joseph Vascular Institute, Orange, Calif.
