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Home > Medical Professionals > SVS Pulse - Society News

SVS Pulse Online

News, Reminders and Updates from the SVS E-Newsletter - As of October 26, 2009

SVS Clinical Research Seed Grant Program Deadline is Friday

Posted October 26

In recognition of the growing importance of clinical investigation in vascular disease, SVS established the Clinical Research Seed Grant program. Learn more about the program and application process. The application deadline is Oct. 30.

Vascular Registry Demonstrations Taking Place on Thursday

Posted October 26

Learn more about the Vascular Registry® online demonstrations taking place at the following times on Thursday:

Thursday, Oct. 29 at 9:00 am EST
Thursday, Oct. 29 at 3:30 pm EST

2010 Dues Invoices Emailed to Membership

Posted October 26

Emails were sent out to all SVS members encouraging 2010 dues payment. Dues  can be paid online or by check.  Checks can be mailed to Society for Vascular Surgery, 38678 Eagle Way, Chicago, IL 60678-1386. An invoice needs to be included with the check. Please click here to pay online.

Featured Video - Management of Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia

Posted October 26
 
Chronic mesenteric ischemia is a disease caused by blockages in the mesenteric arteries, that carry blood to the small and large intestines. Ischemia means decreased circulation and it usually develops due to atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Chronic mesenteric ischemia is just one form of PAD that can also present with leg pain due to decreased circulation in the legs, with chest pain due to decreased circulation in the heart, or with stroke due to blockages in the arteries of the brain.

View the video.

Vote for At-large Member to Serve on 2010 Nominations Committee

Posted October 26

The SVS Nominations Committee includes a member elected by the SVS membership in the November preceding the next year's election. Four individuals have been nominated by the membership at large to serve on the 2010 committee. The nominee obtaining the highest number of votes shall serve on the Nominations Committee. 
 
Submit your vote online today. The voting deadline is Nov. 30. 

Dr. Darling, Joe Theismann Promote Find the AAAnswers Campaign on Sirius XM's Doctor Radio

Posted October 12

Last Wednesday, SVS Communications Chair Clem Darling, MD (pictured, right) and Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Joe Theismann (left) participated in a one-hour radio interview on Sirius XM's Doctor Radio. Theismann serves as the celebrity spokesperson for the recently launched Find the AAAnswers campaign because his father had an AAA, and he knows the importance of screening. Listen to the interview interview, which aired live during morning rush hour, 6:00 - 7:00 am.

The Communications Committee is representing SVS on the Find the AAAnswers Coalition, whose goal is to raise awareness about AAA screening for people at risk of the disease. The coalition also includes the American College of Preventive Medicine and the Society of Vascular Ultrasound. The Find the AAAnswers Web site, www.FindtheAAAnswers.org, offers patient education resources including a quiz to determine the likelihood of being affected by AAA. The coalition is made possible through a grant from Medtronic. Contact communications@vascularsociety.org for questions.

Spanish AAA Screening Medicare Benefit Flier Now Available on VascularWeb.org

Posted October 12

VascularWeb.org offers downloadable fliers that can be customized and printed for use in your practice, free of charge. View the downloadable flier.

Vascular Annual Meeting Call for Abstracts Opening Soon

Posted October 12

Be on the lookout for communications about the 2010 Vascular Annual Meeting Call for Abstracts, opening later this fall. The 2010 meeting takes place June 10-13 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Visit VascularWeb.org for more details.

SVU Legislative, Regulatory and Reimbursement Issues Conference

Posted October 12

This 1½-day conference on the latest legislative, regulatory and reimbursement issues affecting the vascular ultrasound profession takes place Nov. 13-14 at the Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel in Arlington, Va.

The event provides an excellent opportunity for vascular technologists/sonographers, physicians, lab medical directors, and lab/hospital billing/reimbursement managers to get the current information from those in the know. Learn more.

Pro Football Legend Joe Theismann Teams Up With SVS to Promote AAA Awareness and Screening

Posted September 28

SVS has joined the "Find the AAAnswers" Coalition with the American College of Preventive Medicine and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound. The SVS Communications Committee is working with the coalition and representing SVS at the PR events.

The year-long campaign was kicked off at a press event in New York City last Tuesday (Sept. 22) with Communications Chair, R. Clement Darling, MD (pictured, right) speaking for SVS, SVS member John D. Martin, MD serving on the panel, other members of the coalition, a AAA patient, and former pro football quarterback, Joe Theismann (pictured, left) as the celebrity spokesperson.

The goal of the campaign is to increase the number of at-risk people who are screened each year, in an effort to reduce unnecessary AAA deaths. Due to his family history of AAA, Joe Theismann understands the risks associated with this disease.

"My father was lucky. He wouldn't be here today if his aneurysm had not been found by chance - but most people with AAA won't be as fortunate," said Theismann. "Through this program, I hope to inspire those at-risk, and their family members, to learn more about AAA and ask the right questions. Today, a quick and painless ultrasound can detect AAA and possibly save a life."

The Find the AAAnswers campaign, rolling out this fall, will help individuals, local communities and healthcare professionals take action against AAA. It uses orange suspenders as its signature icon to help draw attention to the message. Campaign activities include:

• Education and screening events in local communities with a high prevalence of AAA
• VascularWeb.org® is linking to this interactive Web portal where patients can learn more about AAA and make a personal pledge to get screened
• Educational materials and resources on AAA screening for healthcare professionals, patients and their loved ones
• Public service announcements on the importance of AAA screenings
• Events with healthcare advocates and policy influencers to identify current challenges in AAA care and advocate for meaningful change

This campaign is especially timely because Congress is reviewing legislation that will broaden coverage for at-risk Medicare recipients. Currently, AAA screenings are offered as part of the Welcome to Medicare physical exam, but required within the first 12 months of enrolling and only eligible for men who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes, or men and women with a family history of AAA.

The coalition and campaign are sponsored by Medtronic.

2010 MPFS Proposed Rule Comments

Posted September 28

SVS submitted comments on the CMS Proposed Rule on "Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for Calendar Year 2010."

Issues include the elimination of billing codes for consultation services. SVS urged CMS to make corresponding updates to global procedures to account for the proposed increases in the office visit codes. The Final Rule will be available for review in November.

Research Initiatives Conference Theme and Topics Announced

Posted September 28

The theme for the 2010 SVS Research Initiatives in Vascular Disease Conference is: "Research Models of Human Vascular Disease." The conference takes place April 7 at the San Francisco Hilton.

The session topics are as follows:

• Session I: Towards a better model of Peripheral Arterial Disease - Chronic disease
• Session II: Towards a better model of Peripheral Arterial Disease - Acute disease, Ischemia/Reperfusion
• Session III: Vascular Endothelium and Thrombosis
• Session IV:  Aneurysms

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology 2010 Scientific Sessions
Attendees of the SVS Research Initiatives in Vascular Disease Conference who also wish to attend the American Heart Association's Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (ATVB) 2010 Scientific Session (April 8-10) will receive a $100 discount off ATVB registration. Learn more.

View the Management of Diabetic Foot Presentation from the 2009 Vascular Annual Meeting

Posted September 14

The Management of Diabetic Foot session, supported by an educational grant from KCI, was held during the 2009 Vascular Annual Meeting®. The following lecture topics are available as streaming Windows Media videos here:

• Introduction: The Team Approach to Diabetic Foot Ulcers
• Essentials of Wound Care; Debridement, Drainage, Dressings
• Foot Biomechanics: Steps to Correct the Problem
• What if There Is Concomitant Infection?
• Neuropathy: What You Can't Feel Can Hurt You
• Endoluminal Revascularization: Definitive Therapy or Prelude to a Bypass?
• Is Distal Bypass for Ischemia Still "First Among Equals?"

Proposed Decision Memo for Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) of the Carotid Artery Concurrent with Stenting

Posted September 14

Although CMS opened this comment period asking for comments regarding expansion of carotid stent coverage to asymptomatic patients with greater than 80% stenosis who would be at high risk for CEA due to anatomic comorbidities and conditions, they chose not to propose this expansion after reviewing available data and comments. Instead, the Agency proposal is limited primarily to expanding the range of embolic protection devices they consider acceptable for CAS. The full CMS comment can be viewed here.

Contributions Needed for SVS PAC

Posted September 14

At a time when a concerted effort is taking place in Washington to reshape our health care system, the SVS PAC Committee is asking that SVS members commit to making certain that the voice of vascular surgery is heard in this debate.

Our future depends upon our ability to reach U.S. Senators and Representatives who are making decisions about our practices. Gaining access to these members is best accomplished by donating to the SVS PAC. There is an automatic donation system that makes it easier to contribute. There will never be a more important time to have an impact upon the future of vascular surgery. The SVS PAC is "Your Voice for Your Future." Find the form here.

SVS and APMA Working Together to Benefit Patients

Posted August 31

Recognizing the beneficial impact of a multidisciplinary team approach on the care of patients with critical limb ischemia, especially in the diabetic population, the leadership of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) and the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) held a meeting on Aug. 21 to discuss details of strategic
collaboration between the two organizations.

Pictured to the right, SVS was represented by President Anton Sidawy, MD, MPH; President-Elect Robert Zwolak, MD, PhD; Vice President Richard Cambria, MD and Executive Director Rebecca Maron, CAE. APMA was represented by President Ronald Jensen, DPM, President-Elect Kathleen Stone, DPM; Treasurer Joseph Caporusso, DPM and Executive Director and CEO Glenn Gastwirth, DPM.

This meeting was undertaken as a first step to implement an agreement approved by the respective Boards of SVS and APMA to identify clinical issues and questions important to both memberships and to work together to find solutions that will benefit our patients. Specifically, it was agreed to:

1. Appoint a group representing both organizations to write a joint statement on the multidisciplinary team approach to the care of diabetic foot
2. Produce a supplement on the care of the diabetic foot that will be jointly published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery and Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
3. Establish joint postgraduate courses to be held at the annual scientific meetings of both organizations
4. Collaborate on practice guidelines and reporting standards dealing with the care of diabetic foot
5. Collaborate on advocacy and public awareness efforts in areas of common interest

Contact Your Senators About Health Care Reform

Posted August 31

As you likely know, three House committees have passed H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Care Choices Act of 2009. However, the Senate Finance Committee did not release its version of Health Care Reform before August recess and it will be more problematic for vascular surgery.

The following are likely to be included in the Senate version of health care reform:

• Only a one or two year "fix" to Medicare physician payment using the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate formula;
• An increase in power for the Medicare Physician Advisory Commission or a similar small commission that would be an unelected, unaccountable government body with minimal Congressional input;
• Additional cuts to imaging, with the possibility of inclusion of vascular ultrasound;
• No elimination of barriers to AAA screening, including the continuation of co-pays.

Click here to access an automated health care reform letter and email it to your two Senators by:

• Editing the letter if desired to add other issues and/or personal examples of how health care reform will affect you and your patients;
• Providing Sender Information so your Senators know you are a constituent;
• Clicking "Send Message."

No other issue will have a bigger impact upon the future of vascular surgery - email your Senators today and also make appointments to talk to them and/or their staffs during August recess.

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