November/December Issue of Vein Specialist
Venous Health Inequities
Ruth Bush, MD, JD
President-Elect, The American Venous Forum
Kathleen Ozsvath, MD
Board Member, The American Venous Forum
There is no question that significant healthcare inequities exist in vulnerable populations and communities affecting both patients and providers. This list is long and includes such factors as: difficulty in accessing care, lack of healthcare knowledge literacy, knowledge gaps among health care providers, insurance disparities in payment for much-needed procedures, research gaps, and more. Grounded in its core values of integrity, education, inclusivity, equity, diversity, nurturing, and scientific excellence and research, the American Venous Forum is committed to the creation of educational opportunities for patients and the membership at large. AVF has embraced its growing international and diverse membership to share and learn from venous specialists around the globe.
VENOUS2024 will host a very robust session that will undoubtedly be informative and noteworthy. Scientific research with oral and poster presentations have been included throughout the conference specifically addressing venous health inequities as well as sessions led by expert speakers.. We anticipate great interest and robust discussion. We will hear experts speak about vulnerable patient populations, educational shortfalls, and research issues. International members have been asked to share about the state of venous care outside of the United States. In addition, an innovative, patient- centered event has been planned prior to the start of the meeting. Together with the collaboration of Dr Aurelia Calero, a vascular surgeon at the University of South Florida, patients will be invited to participate in the inaugural “Day of Service” on Saturday March 2nd, 2024. We hope this program will engage and empower patients to learn and interact with venous specialists.
It is with great pleasure we invite all of our membership, guests, and trainees to join us at VENOUS2024.
Join us at the Venous Health Inequities Session at VENOUS2024!
Monday, March 4, 2024
8:30 – 10:00am ET
Discover the Cutting-Edge Research on Lymphedema at VENOUS2024
Sheila N. Blumberg, MD, MS RPVI
Member, AVF Annual Program Committee
Member, AVF DEI Committee
Are you ready to delve into the exciting world of venous and lymphatic research? The American Venous Forum Lymphedema Session at VENOUS2024 is just around the corner, and it promises to be an event filled with groundbreaking discoveries, innovative technologies, and invaluable insights.
Here is a sneak peek into the novel data that will be presented: Researchers have been exploring new methods for enhancing compression, and one innovative device has caught our attention. The study compares the efficacy of a novel compression device (ACWa) with an air bladder to a standard adjustable Velcro garment (ACWc) in delivering inelastic compression. The results are nothing short of fascinating! The ACWa, with its inflatable air bladder, provided significantly higher stiffness, potentially leading to improved clinical outcomes. If you want to learn more about this cutting-edge technology and how it can benefit patients with veno-lymphatic disorders, don’t miss the presentation at VENOUS2024.
The interplay between venous and lymphatic pathology is still not fully understood and several presentations on the effect of chronic venous disease on the subclinical stage of lymphedema are on the program. Factors contributing to lymphatic dysfunction and intriguing correlations between BMI, skin changes, gait parameters, and lymphatic function shed light on the intricate pathophysiology of lymphedema in chronic venous disease. Further, understanding the connection between lymph node veins and varicose veins is crucial for improving treatment strategies, particularly when it comes to development of phlebolymphedema, which has been linked to an extraordinary case of metastatic basal cell carcinoma (MBCC). The story unfolds as the patient’s condition progresses, ultimately leading to the discovery of MBCC. This exceptional case offers valuable insights into the patient’s experience and limited treatment options.
This is just a glimpse of what awaits you at the lymphedema sessions during VENOUS2024 this spring in Tampa, Florida. With cutting-edge research, innovative technologies, and engaging discussions, this event is a must-attend for professionals and enthusiasts. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this exciting journey of discovery and innovation. Register now and be part of the future of venous and lymphatic disease management!
Societal IVUS Case Competition Featuring AVF’s 2023 Winner
Adam Reichard, MD
IVUS Case Competition Winner 2023
Vascular Surgery Fellow, Good Samaritan Hospital
During my training as a vascular surgery fellow, I would take every opportunity I could to make it to a great meeting. My fellowship program director mentioned that there was an intravascular ultrasound case competition at the American Venous Forum meeting. I thought the competition would be a great opportunity to showcase some of the amazing venous work we intervene on with the assistance of IVUS at our institution.
I was lucky enough to be one of the 4 finalists chosen to present at the AVF meeting. The competition became an opportunity to meet other trainees passionate about the treatment of venous disease. The case presentations were phenomenal and generated some great dialogue among some luminaries in the venous disease management space. Following the competition, we enjoyed dinner and I got to know my fellow competitors as well as the great people at Philips who organized the competition. I was fortunate to win that competition, which allowed me to participate in the final competition at UIP World Congress in Miami. UIP was a fantastic meeting full of sessions covering every aspect of venous disease. The night before the competition there was another dinner where I had the opportunity to discuss venous disease with truly brilliant clinicians. It was an experience that I will never forget. The final competition presentations were truly impressive. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to participate in the IVUS competition and recommend that trainees passionate about the treatment of venous disease participate in the competition!
Watch a short video from Adam describing the Case Competition here.
