
Innovation 2025
Vein Specialist
Shattering Venous Boundaries
January/February

Table of contents
Editor’s Message
Steve Elias, MD; Editor-in-Chief
VENOUS2025
AVF to Host Inaugural Case Report Competition at VENOUS2025
Khanh Nguyen; Member, AVF Membership Committee
Lohr to deliver 2025 Strandness Lecture
Ruth L. Bush, MD, JD, MPH; AVF President
VENOUS2025 Poster People’s Choice Awards
Sheila Blumberg, MD, MS, RPVI
New at VENOUS2025: Doctor’s Lounge
Cassius Iyad Ochoa Chaar, MD; Chair, VENOUS2025 Program Committee
VENOUS INNOVATIONS
POCIT: Point of Care Infrared Thermography
Ariel Soffer, MD, FACC
The Innovation Journey: Transforming Vascular Care through Process Evolution
Suzanna Fitzpatrick, DNP, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP
Gabriell N. Grayson, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CV-BC
Patient Experience and Preferences Drive Advances in Pneumatic Compression for Lymphedema Management
Matthew Rapcan; Senior Clinical Research Associate, Tactile Medical
Jennifer Heit, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA; Senior Clinical Specialist, Tactile Medical
Penumbra’s CAVTTM Technology is Advancing VTE Care
Innovation in Venous and Lymphatic Health: Insights from Methapharm
Jonathan Sadko; KOL and Partner Manager, Methapharm
A Revolution in Phlebology
Lourdes Reina, MD; Member, AVF International Committee
AVF NEWS
AVF’s Commitment to Eliminating Health Disparities and Improving Access to High Quality Care
Karem Harth, MD; Chair, AVF Venous Equity Committee
What to Unsubscribe in 2025
Gary Burnison; Chief Executive Officer, Korn Ferry
AVF’s Expertise during the Upcoming Meeting of the Algerian College of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Nadjib Bouayed, MD; President, Algerian College of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery
Standout Wound Care Articles
Rummana Aslam, MD; Associate Professor of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Director of Wound Care Center, Lawrence and Memorial Hospital (Yale New Haven Health) Director of Yale Chronic Wound Care Regenerative Medicine Fellowship.
What is the Risk of VTE in Lymphedema and Lipedema Patients
Eri Fukaya, MD; Vascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Steve Elias, MD
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
John Forbes, MBA
MANAGING EDITOR
Allison DeGroff
COVER ARTIST
Christine Rataj
PUBLICATION DESIGNER
Anthony Eaves

Editor’s Message
The Renaissance. The New Year. The Memory.
“No matter what fate chooses to play, there’s nothing you can do about it anyway,” For a Dancer, Jackson Browne. For some reason, patients sometimes ask when seeing us for vein problems, “So, I’m not going to die?” I think they already know the answer. My answer to them, “You are going to die; we’re all going to die.” The real question is: “When?”
Edgar Guzman knew when. October 6, 2024. 47 years old. If you don’t know who Edgar Guzman was, your loss. He lived his life as Sartre expressed, “Man is nothing else than what he makes of himself.” Edgar was that man. Edgar suggested the theme for the first Vein Specialist issue of each new year. Each cover was his idea. And each introductory letter was his, not mine. He was a Renaissance man. He was a vascular surgeon. He died too soon. Maybe. His knowledge and interests went well beyond vein disease. Look back at each new year’s issue of Vein Specialist. The themes were his, as is this year’s.
In this issue we asked industry representatives and others to discuss innovation– what’s new and where we are headed. New innovations are available to us and our patients: imaging, compression, lymphedema management, and others. Innovations have been added to our annual meeting this year: The Doctors Lounge, Case Competition, and more. The new year brings new innovations.
Do any of us think much about DVT risk in lymphedema/lipedema patients? Read the article. Wound care gets a revitalization in the article discussing important papers in the wound world. The authors let us know what our wound colleagues think we need to remember.
One of the prayers of remembrance said at a Jewish funeral gives thanks to God for allowing us to know the person who died. It’s not a morbid prayer, but a thankful, sobering one. Death is not the end. We all die. It is the memory that is important. A new year is the promise of the new; a symbolic vision of what may be. Our committee attempts to give this to you each new year with Edgar at the helm. Edgar was one of us. There will be others we lose. Some will die too soon. Some too late. Some at the right time. At our annual meeting and in Vein Specialist, we will bring you the lives they’ve lived when a member dies. A new tradition. Thank you, Edgar, for your contributions to AVF and for this issue of Vein Specialist.
A Renaissance. A New Year. A Memory. A Life Well Lived.
AVF to Host Inaugural Case Report Competition at VENOUS2025
The American Venous Forum will host a case competition for trainees and early career members. This initiative stemmed from the Membership Committee with Chair, Windsor Ting, MD, and the Trainee & Early Career Subcommittee. A large number of excellent abstracts that showcase unique, educational, and challenging clinical scenarios were submitted this year. After review of abstracts by the AVF committees, semifinalists were invited to participate in a live case report competition.
This case report competition session will be a wonderful opportunity for both case competition competitors and audiences to participate in an interactive session to network, listen, learn, and discuss educational and unique case reports.
A live poll of audiences and judges will select the winners. Awards and prizes will be given to the 1st and 2nd place winners. In addition, the 1st place case competition winner will be invited to AVF VENOUS2026 to be part of the planning committee for the next case report competition.
A happy hour with drinks and refreshments will be available toward the end of the case competition thanks to generous sponsor support.
Come network with colleagues, cheer on your trainees and early career colleagues, help choose the case report winner for this competition and grab a drink to celebrate happy hour. See you all there!

Lohr to deliver 2025 Strandness Lecture

Joann M. Lohr, MD
The VENOUS2025 Strandness Lecture will be given by Joann M. Lohr, MD. The lecture is named in memory of founding member and past president D. Eugene Strandness, Jr, MD for his dedication and contributions to the science of venous disease, including the introduction and development of duplex ultrasound scanning. The lectureship recognizes the significant contributions of this individual to the research, education, or practice of venous disease. The lecturer is chosen by the president of the American Venous Forum and confirmed by the AVF’s Executive Committee each year. In choosing Joann Marie Lohr, MD, we selected a member who has demonstrated great dedication to the AVF, generations of mentees and trainees, and her profession.Dr Lohr has been a practicing vascular surgeon for more than 40 years. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin--Madison-School of Medicine and Public Health followed by residency at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati. Dr Lohr spent many years in solo private practice in Cincinnati and for the past 5 years has been at the Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia, SC.
Dr Lohr is recognized as the first woman president of a vascular society, serving as the Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery’s president in 2011. She is also a past president of the AVF (2008-2009) and was awarded the organization’s highest award, the Founder’s Award. in 2023. Her presentation is entitled “Venous on the Shoulders of Giants.”
Let the people vote! The VENOUS2025 Poster Session will be held on February 18, 2025 at 3pm ET. It promises to be an impressive showcase of the latest and greatest research and expert insights into venous and lymphatic health by students, residents, and attending physicians. And for the first time in the history of the AVF, every attendee gets to vote for the Best Abstract with cash prizes for the winner and fan-favorite. An impressive lineup of nearly 50 groundbreaking abstracts awaits as we invite you to come and be a part of AVF history and exercise your right to vote and be heard. Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store:
Revolutionary Advances in Thrombectomy and Stenting
The POT Trial examines the safety and feasibility of percutaneous office-based thrombectomy for deep vein thrombosis, offering insights into how thrombectomy could be performed in outpatient settings. Additionally, the long-term patient benefits of iliofemoral venous stenting for thrombotic and non-thrombotic disease will be discussed, revealing how innovative stenting techniques are improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
Cutting-Edge Imaging and Diagnostic Techniques
Developments in diagnostic imaging take center stage with a model for MRI-assessment of deep vein thrombosis and the evaluation of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in diagnosing chronic iliac venous obstruction. These advanced imaging techniques are improving rapidly and appear to be coming indispensable for more precise and less invasive diagnoses of venous disease.
Complex Case Studies in Venous Disease Management
From mechanical thrombectomy for superior vena cava syndrome to the multidisciplinary management of patients with infected stents and invasive cancer, these presentations will delve into complex, real-world cases that highlight the intricate nature of venous disease management. Notably, there will be fascinating case presentations on the successful salvage of renal transplants with endovascular thrombectomy, and the approach to treatment of pulmonary embolism in the immediate post-operative patient.
Innovations in Superficial Venous Interventions
Attendees will also explore the latest in varicose vein treatments, including non-thermal ablation using Glubran® 2, a comparative study of radiofrequency ablation systems, and the gender-specific outcomes of superficial venous interventions. A single-center retrospective study will offer fresh insights into the demographic trends in contemporary venous ablation procedures.
Addressing Venous Aneurysms, Fistulas, and Other Rare Conditions
Several fascinating case reports will be presented including treating large external iliac vein aneurysms using off-label aortic endografts to managing venous insufficiency complicated by arteriovenous fistulas. Come and learn about successful interventions for rare conditions such as spontaneous external jugular vein aneurysms and popliteal vein aneurysms.
The Role of Sclerotherapy and Saphenous Vein Pressure in Venous Symptom Management
A novel study on the use of sclerotherapy for leg edema and dermatitis caused by micro-arteriovenous fistulas will be featured, alongside an exploration of the correlation between venous symptoms and saphenous vein pressure using the VeinPress™ device. These presentations will provide invaluable insights into the role of sclerotherapy and vein pressure monitoring in improving patient outcomes.
Cancer-associated Venous Thromboembolism and Surgical Insights
Cancer patients face unique challenges when it comes to venous thromboembolism and this meeting will highlight effective management strategies for cancer-associated venous thromboembolic events. In addition, the complex vascular challenges faced during oncologic surgery will be examined through case studies that demonstrate how caval invasion can be successfully managed.
Posters on gender outcomes in superficial venous interventions, advances in venous bypass surgery for chronic venous ulcers, and new protocols for early discharge of deep vein thrombosis patients will also be presented. This year’s Poster Session at VENOUS2025 promises to be a comprehensive exploration of all aspects of venous health.
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to engage with the most up-to-date research and enhance your knowledge of venous disease management. Register today and join us in shaping the future of venous care!
New at VENOUS2025: Doctor’s Lounge
You won’t want to miss this innovation at VENOUS2025. During the “Doctor’s Lounge,” venous experts from around the world will discuss various approaches to treating three different cases:
- Young male with bilateral varicose veins (2/17/2025; 5:15pm ET)
- College student with cosmetic venous concerns (2/18/2025; 5:15pm ET)
- Young female with iliofemoral DVT (2/18/2025; 5:15pm ET)
The sessions will have an international flair as the panelists hail from countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Colombia, Netherlands, Greece, and Mexico. Members of the audience will have the chance to interact with the speakers during the moderated question and answer session.