by Jill Goodwin

Vascular health professionals from around the world will gather in San Francisco, CA, May 30–June 1, for the 67th Vascular Annual Meeting®, sponsored by the Society for Vascular Surgery®.

“The Vascular Annual Meeting has evolved into the premier international educational venue designed to provide comprehensive learning opportunities in vascular clinical practice, research, and science to support the continuing needs of our multidisciplinary target audience,” said Dr. Ronald Fairman, SVS Program Committee Chair and Professor of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania.

The education starts before the meeting officially begins with the Postgraduate Courses Day on Wednesday, May 29, which features speakers who are truly experts in their field and will cover on topics suggested on last year’s member surveys. “Through feedback, we have learned that attendees want cutting-edge science presentations along with sessions dedicated to topics they face every day in their practices, such as hospital negotiations, best practice guidelines, practice pearls, recruitment and retention issues, economic concerns, employment models, and opportunities for practice expansion,” Dr. Fairman said. “This meeting will provide that information.”

Approximately 500 abstracts were submitted from authors throughout the world for consideration to be presented at the Vascular Annual Meeting. The result will be a balanced, broad-based educational event covering both arterial and venous disease, inclusive of national and international contributors with relevant educational opportunities for both the practicing vascular specialist in the community as well as academically based vascular health professionals. Among the meeting’s highlights will be the Presidential Address of Peter Gloviczki, MD, from Mayo Clinic and the Stanley Crawford Critical Issues Forum, “From Bench to Bedside,” moderated by President-Elect Julie Freischlag, MD, from Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Special lectures will include the John Homans Lecture and the Roy Greenberg Distinguished Lecture. Highlights of the abstract presentations include:

• A Propensity-Matched Comparison of Fenestrated EVAR and Open Surgical Repair of Complex Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
• Aortic Remodeling after Endovascular Treatment of Complicated Type B Aortic Dissection Using a Composite Device Design: A Report from the STABLE Trial
• Anatomical Feasibility of Off-the-Shelf Fenestrated Stent-Grafts to Treat Juxtarenal and Pararenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

A new Clinical Practice Track has been developed in response to feedback from attendees wanting increased programming pertinent to the management of their specific practices. For example, Economics 101: Achieving Balance Between Practice Expenses, Income and Future Employment Options focuses on new ways to reduce practice expenses, increase practice efficiency, and find new avenues for income. Additionally, there is a heightened need for medical professionals to know their own value and the importance of RVUs as they negotiate compensation plans, especially in hospital mergers. This session will help vascular surgeons understand their true worth, as well as discuss best practices when negotiating with hospitals. In addition to the practical tips and tricks offered in various educational sessions, the meeting will continue to be strongly academic based with world-renowned vascular surgeons presenting the latest studies and research in arterial and venous disease.

Another of this year’s highlights is expected to be the new International Session which will be devoted to new, unpublished clinical research from SVS international members.

“This session will give International members a forum to exchange ideas and present their work at the SVS Annual Meeting,” said Dr. Michel Makaroun, Chair of the SVS International Relations Committee and Professor and Chief of the Division of Vascular Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. “This session should help SVS
increase its international exchange with vascular surgeons around the world.”

Now that the SVS Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) database has reached maturity, the new SVS VQI Annual Report session will feature the presentation of both qualityrelated reports and scientific papers based on regional and national VQI data.

The SVS/STS/AATS Symposium: Advances and Controversies in the Contemporary Management of Thoraco-Abdominal Aneurysmal Disease, offered all day on June 1, will focus on complex aneurysms involving the visceral vessels, as well as on acute and chronic dissections. To ensure that the best young medical professionals continue to choose vascular surgery as their specialty, the Vascular Annual Meeting also features an extensive educational and networking program for fellows, general surgery residents, and medical students. Specially designed scientific sessions and educational programs in arterial and venous disease include an open and endovascular simulation training session, surgical skills competition, and residency fair.

This year, a broad array of state-of-the-art, exhibitorsponsored education and training sessions will be offered in the SVS exhibit hall and training pavilions. The exhibit hall is a great place to learn about the latest products, devices, and services in vascular surgery, and a new layout this year will make for smoother traffic flow. The Vascular Annual Meeting mobile app will allow attendees to reference the exhibit hall and convention center floor plans, make personal appointments with exhibitors, and build their own meeting itinerary. Wi-fi will be available throughout the convention center.

In addition to the exciting educational sessions presented at the Vascular Annual Meeting, San Francisco provides an opportunity for attendees to take advantage of the city’s scenic beauty, cultural attractions, and excellent cuisine. This world-class city is home to many theater, opera, symphony, and ballet companies. It is also one of America’s greatest dining cities.

Join colleagues from around the world and make plans now to attend the premier educational event for vascular health professionals.

“For those attendees looking to get involved in sponsored clinical research, the VAM always provides opportunities for networking with colleagues and industry sponsors as well,” Dr. Fairman said. “I feel this year’s meeting is so exceptional, it will be a challenge for attendees to pick and choose from among the educational offerings.”