Vein Specialist
AVF Newsletter
March/April 2022
Free Upcoming Webinar
September 8, 2022 — 8:00 – 9:15 PM ET
Venous Stenting with Venovo: One and Done?
Iliofemoral Stenting & You: Tips and Tricks for Success in the Deep Venous Space – Sheila Blumberg, MD
Now or Later? Should We Place a Venovo Stent Following Acute DVT Thrombectomy with Aspirex? – Patrick Muck, MD
The Great Divide: To Cross or Not Cross the Inguinal Ligament with Dedicated Venous Stents? – Erin Murphy, MD
Back by Popular Demand! Venovo and its role in Complex Iliofemoral Reconstructions – Kush Desai, MD
Supported by an education grant from:
Now Accepting Research Grant Submissions
BSCI Translational Research Grant
SUBMISSION DEADLINE APPROACHING
Monday, August 15, 2022
The 2023 AVF – Boston Scientific Translational Research Grant will award $85k over a period of 2 years for an original, translational research project in venous disease addressing one or more of the following:
- Nonthrombotic venous obstruction
- Venous thromboembolism
- Superficial venous insufficiency
THE SUBMITTED RESEARCH PROJECT MUST ALSO ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING:
- Human subject requirement: Patient-oriented research involving human subjects or with tissue of human origin
- Delivery of appropriate care to appropriate patients and/or translate new clinical data into clinical decision making
The grant is open to residents and fellows in a training program and physicians who have completed their training within the past ten (10) years and have not previously received this award.
IMPORTANT: The 2023 AVF-BSCI Translational Research Grant will accept submissions from International as well as US-based researchers
Jobst Clinical Research Grant
Submission Deadline: Monday, October 15, 2022
The American Venous Forum is now accepting submissions for the 2023 AVF-JOBST Clinical Research Grant which will provide a $85,000 grant over two years for original, clinical research in venous diseases, lymphatic diseases, or lipedema with an emphasis on:
- Prevention of disease and its progression
- Diagnosis of disease
- The science of management of the above conditions, especially with compression therapy.
THIS OPPORTUNITY IS OPEN TO:
- Residents and fellows in a training program located in the United States
- Physicians who have completed their training within the past ten (10) years and are currently based in the United States
- Applicants who have not previously received this award
- Nonthrombotic venous obstruction
- Venous thromboembolism
- Superficial venous insufficiency
Now Accepting Research Grant Submissions
BSCI Translational Research Grant
Deadline Approaching — August 15, 2020
$85k over a period of 2 years for an original, translational research project in venous disease addressing one or more of the following:
- Nonthrombotic venous obstruction
- Venous thromboembolism
- Superficial venous insufficiency
International submissions accepted!
Submission Deadline: Monday, August 15, 2022
BSCI Translational Research Grant
$85k over a period of 2 years for clinical research in venous diseases, lymphatic diseases, or lipedema with an emphasis on:
- Prevention of disease and its progression
- Diagnosis of disease
- The science of management of the above conditions, especially with compression therapy
Submission Deadline: Monday, October 15, 2022
Table of Contents
Message from the Editor
Steve Elias, MD
Meet Your 2022 AVF Board of Directors
Allie Woodward
AVF Volunteer Leadership in Action
Amy Murrin
Lessons Learned by AVF President and Advice to Members
Elna Masuda, MD, Mike Dalsing, MD, DFAVF, Tom Wakefield, MD
AVF Research Grants Previous Winners
Andrea Obi, MD
2023 AVF-JOBST Clinical Research Grant 2023
2023 AVF-BSCI Translational Research Grant
Meet the AVF Administrative Team
Allie Woodward, John Forbes, MD, FCA
The Team Behind the Team
Donald Rolfe
The AVF’s Commitment to DEI
Ruth Bush, MD, Misaki Kiguchi, MD, Anil Hingorani, MD, Elna Masuda, MD, Kathleen Ozsvath, MD
Report from the AVF’s Health Policy Committee Chair
Sheila Coogan, MD
Answering the Questions about Venous Stents: The C-TRACT Trial
Suresh Vedantham, MD
Update on the AMA RAW Meeting
Mark Iafrati, MD
Winner of the Best Abstract at VENOUS2022
Elizabeth Andraska, MD
International Venous and Lymphatic Pathways: From the Pandemic to Better Patient Care
Sergio Gianesini, MD, PhD, FACS
A Message from AVF Board of Directors on Ukraine
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Steve Elias, MD
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
John Forbes, MBA
MANAGING EDITOR
Allie Woodward
PUBLICATION DESIGNER
Christine Rataj
Message from the Editor
Steve Elias, MD
Editor-in-Chief, AVF Newsletter
The AVF has some of the top leaders in the field of venous and lymphatic disease. Getting involved in the society at any point in your career can be very rewarding as it allows you access to experts in the field and others who share common questions and challenges. The surprise for me were the opportunities offered by the society to make a difference for your own patients and enjoy the journey along the way. For example, the AVF Exchange is an online secure “chat” with other members. I have learned a lot about nuances in practice through interacting with my colleagues using this society resource, such as how to manage a patient with severe skin changes in the legs but very little venous disease and how to manage allergic reactions to cyanoacrylate, to name a few.
AVF Exchange also provides access to experts in the field who can provide advice for rare and challenging cases. One example is my partner who recently completed a fellowship in Vascular Surgery who encountered an interesting case of nutcracker syndrome. She had never performed a renal vein transposition during fellowship and wanted assistance in planning and executing the procedure. Through communication with several AVF members, together we performed the operation and the patient did very well.
Two areas where we have leaders but also where AVF is leading are DEI and healthcare policy. These were and are very timely areas of AVF focus.
The last important piece of this leadership issue is our administrative leadership group spearheaded by John Forbes and the Veritas group. In the past, AVF has suffered and struggled because we had inconsistent administrative support. We could not be where we are today without the institutional memory we are building with our administrative partners. Take a look at who makes AVF function on a daily basis.
Stoops don’t only function as the cornerstone of Stoop Ball. Other things one can do with a stoop is merely sit on them and observe the world at your doorstep. New York City is bringing back it’s “Open Streets” program. NYC is paying people to create portable stoops, usually made of metal with storage beneath the steps of the stoop. A fantasy that can literally be manufactured. Instant neighborhood. The idea is, NYC closes some streets to traffic and everyone on the street comes out of their abode and sits on their newly purchased, donated, or subsidized stoop and become…well…neighbors. Such a Norman Rockwell diorama. The American Dream or Myth? At Vein Specialist we seek to dispel myths and not create false narratives by paying someone like David Rockwell (no relation to Norman), the architect, $55,000 dollars per stoop.
This issue gives you the info about some of our leaders and AVF leadership. Our future is bright and strong. We don’t stoop. We stand up. Enjoy the issue.
“We could not be where we are today without the institutional memory we are building with our administrative partners.”
Lessons Learned by AVF Presidents and Advice to AVF Members
Elna Masuda, MD
AVF President 2018-2019
Many hidden rewards exist in the field of venous and lymphatic disease. One of them, in my opinion, is the American Venous Forum (AVF).
The AVF has some of the top leaders in the field of venous and lymphatic disease. Getting involved in the society at any point in your career can be very rewarding as it allows you access to experts in the field and others who share common questions and challenges. The surprise for me were the opportunities offered by the society to make a difference for your own patients and enjoy the journey along the way. For example, the AVF Exchange is an online secure “chat” with other members. I have learned a lot about nuances in practice through interacting with my colleagues using this society resource, such as how to manage a patient with severe skin changes in the legs but very little venous disease and how to manage allergic reactions to cyanoacrylate, to name a few.
AVF Exchange also provides access to experts in the field who can provide advice for rare and challenging cases. One example is my partner who recently completed a fellowship in Vascular Surgery who encountered an interesting case of nutcracker syndrome. She had never performed a renal vein transposition during fellowship and wanted assistance in planning and executing the procedure. Through communication with several AVF members, together we performed the operation and the patient did very well.
“More than 30% of the members in leadership are women today, which contrasts with only a few several years ago.”
AVF Research Grant Previous Winners
Andrea Obi, MD
The AVF is now accepting applications for the AVF-JOBST Clinical Research Grant and the AVF-Boston Scientific Translational Research Grant. Hear from our previous winners:
Membership
The AVF’s Commitment to DEI
Ruth Bush, MD, Misaki Kiguchi, MD, Anil Hingorani, MD, Elna Masuda, MD, Kathleen Ozsvath, MD
The AVF is excited to announce the new ad hoc “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee.” This initiative will focus on the AVF core values which include Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the AVF priority of venous health for all. For ALL. Led by Drs. Kathleen Ozsvath and Ruth L. Bush, this committee seeks to advance awareness, understanding, acceptance, and respect of all ideas and people, and provide guidance on needed research and data on venous care and disparities. To enact our core values into actionable goals, this ad hoc committee has been tasked with working on ways to implement DEI principles into our programming and educational activities. Improving diversity of membership, including diversity of gender, race, nationality, sexual orientation, and others, means better representation and understanding of physicians to patients. Diversity of perspectives brings a wealth of ideas, improved creativity, and ultimately, increased member engagement. Through DEI initiatives we hope to foster a psychologically safe environment, one of trust and a member sense of belonging.
Research, sensitive to health disparities and underserved populations, is of paramount importance to better understand how to provide inclusive and individualized care. The AVF has always supported the most advanced research in venous and lymphatic disease to improve patient care; therefore, deliberate attention to incorporate these principles into research
Report from the AVF Health Policy Committee Chair
Sheila Coogan, MD
AVF Health & Policy Committee Chair
The American Venous Forum Health Policy Committee received an update from Dr Mark Iafrati regarding the most recent American Medical Association’s Relativity Assessment Workgroup (AMA RAW) meeting—see article on page 24 of this issue of Vein Specialist). Dr Iafrati has been an incredible advocate for the AVF both on the Health Policy Committee and with his contribution at the recent AMA meeting. Through the efforts of the AVF leaders and Health Policy committee, the AVF will be granted a delegate at the AMA House of Delegates next year. To ensure that the AVF has a place, please become a member of the AMA to ensure that the AVF’s voice will be heard in future AMA meetings.
This year, the AVF’s Health Policy Committee will be using the AVF Policy Navigator to anticipate policy reviews in advance and advocate for policies that provide optimal care to our patients. The Policy Navigator is a great tool (visit PolicyNav.org for more information). Policies up for review this year include Pacific Source, BCBS of NC, BCBS of Tennessee, and Cigna. Policy changes among these carriers will likely affect all of us. We are in the process of actively reviewing these policies. As you might imagine, Congress and CMS are less focused on health care policy right now—there’s the war in Ukraine, the January 6 committee, mid-term elections, and beyond.
As always, we encourage input from members when they receive denials or feel that a provider’s policy is not consistent with the bast care for their patients.
Lastly, in keeping with Dr Elias’ use of cultural references, the architect (to be identified in next month’s issue) below is credited with the quote, “the devil is in the details,” which is only too true for health care policy.
“Through the efforts of the AVF leaders and Health Policy committee, the AVF will be granted a delegate at the AMA House of Delegates next year.”