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Charles Darwin and Vascular Surgery

Darwin’s theory of evolution represents one of the landmark intellectual revolutions of human history. He proposed that organisms change over time as a result of changes in heritable traits. A closer look at the evolution of vascular surgery during the past fifty years makes one believe that Darwin’s theory of natural selection is truly applicable to the ever-evolving field of Vascular Surgery.

It was not until 1982 when the first ever Certificate of Special Qualifications in General Vascular Surgery was issued to Dr. Edwin J. Wylie. Before being recognized as an individual surgical specialty, vascular operations were routinely performed by general surgeons or cardiothoracic…

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Featured

 EVAR—but Not Surgical AAA Repair—Is Riskier Long-term for Women

In observational data, elective EVAR in women led to higher 10-year mortality, but why women fare worse than men is unclear.

 New study shows COVID-19 causes severe blood vessel damage

The study was conducted by an international team of medical scientists who compared the lungs of patients who died from COVID-19 with lungs of patients who died from influenza as well as with healthy lungs donated for transplantation. The researchers discovered an unexpected disease pattern in COVID-19 lungs: the virus invaded the endothelial cells, and this was accompanied by blood clots. Compared to the flu, COVID-19 lungs had 9-fold more blood clots and the blood vessels were injured by the virus causing an unusual reaction of blood vessel growth.

 Vascular surgeons identify health concerns that result from quarantine

Vascular surgeons from across the USA are reporting health impacts on some patients, particularly elderly ones, in quarantine. The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) queried vascular surgeons regarding their concerns for patients’ health during the pandemic, and shared the findings as well as suggested solutions for patients with vascular disease who are confined at home.

Articles of Interest

Are Doctors Doing Risky, Unnecessary Procedures?

A small group of physicians has made millions performing unnecessary or incompetent stents and atherectomy procedures on patients with peripheral vascular disease — the narrowing or blockage of arteries carrying blood to the legs — when medical therapy may be better. When these invasive procedures fail, the physicians and hospitals still gain hefty reimbursement, and the patient may lose a leg by amputation. As a vascular surgeon for over four decades, I have witnessed this overuse of procedures and have known that manufacturers pay millions of “consulting” fees to some physicians who overuse stents and atherectomy devices.

Five ways to save your legs – by a vascular surgery specialist

Preventing and promptly treating peripheral artery disease is essential. A 2024 Danish study reported stark findings: five years after diagnosis with peripheral artery disease, 10% of patients have had an amputation and 40% have died. However legs (and lives) can still be saved – even at the end-stage of the disease – if treated quickly enough. Here are five ways you can reduce your risk of amputation.

The value of the modern vascular surgeon to the health care system

Vascular surgeons provide an important service to the health care system. They are capable of treating a wide range of disease processes that affect both the venous and arterial systems. Their presence broadens the complexity and diversity of services that a health care system can offer both in the outpatient setting and in the inpatient setting. Because of their ability to control hemorrhage, they are critical to a safe operating room environment.

Tilo Kölbel

Born into a family of medical professionals, Tilo Kölbel was destined to become one himself. He tells Vascular News about his journey to becoming a vascular surgeon, the proudest moments in his career and the research that he is currently doing, as well as his interests outside of medicine.

Vascular Surgeons Bang on the Specialists' Door

Only two new boards -- medical genetics and emergency medicine -- have been approved in the last 15 years. The other 22, which range from pediatrics to otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat specialists), are of longer standing. The first American specialty board, ophthalmology, was incorporated in 1917.

Vascular surgeons—leaders in vascular care

Enter the vascular surgeon. Pioneers such as Kunlin, Debakey, Wylie, Sylagli, Strandness, and so many others invented operations, developed devices, and investigated the natural history of vascular disease. All of these advancements allowed vascular surgeons to care for a growing population of patients. We were the leaders! We maintained this leadership role throughout many decades into the 80s and early 90s.

Resources

To cut is to cure - a vascular surgery blog

I will touch on vascular compression disorders like median arcuate ligament syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, nutcracker syndrome, pelvic congestion syndrome.

Endovascular Today

Endovascular Today is a publication dedicated to bringing you comprehensive coverage of all the latest technology, techniques, and developments in the endovascular field.

Perfusion.com

Perfusion.com is the world's largest and most comprehensive resource for topics related to cardiovascular perfusion, blood management and platelet therapy. Here at Perfusion.com, we are continually striving to provide the most current resources and information on all aspects of the perfusion and the cardiovascular surgery industry.

Vascular News

Vascular News is the vascular and endovascular specialist's one-stop source for news, views, comment and controversy. Vascular News is an editorially independent newspaper which reflects the voice of vascular specialists.

VascularTherapy.org

Our goal is to give physicians and patients access to the latest research, provide information about treatments and techniques, and raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges presented by these new less invasive technologies.

VATA

At VATA, we are committed to offering you some of the world's most realistic anatomical health care models.

BMJ-Vascular Surgery

The latest from the British Medical Journal.

CardioBrief

CardioBrief is a one-stop source for new and important information of interest to cardiologists and other cardiovascular healthcare professionals.

CTisus

The website ctisus.com enters its 14th year of providing the premier website dedicated to Computed Tomography Scanning (CT scanning). The site provides a range of content ranging from CT scan protocols for CT scanners from Siemens Medical, GE Healthcare, Phillips Medical and Toshiba Medical to a series of over 600 weekly vodcast and podcasts addressing a wide range of CT topics.

CTSNet

CTSNet is the most comprehensive, most heavily trafficked, and most reliable online source of information about cardiothoracic surgery available worldwide, and its online community of cardiothoracic surgeons is the largest in the world.

CenterWatch

Clinical Trials in Cardiology & Vascular Diseases.

SonoWorld

SonoWorld was launched in 1999 as a way to use the emerging Internet to provide free educational materials to ultrasound practitioners in developing countries around the world. As the founders explored ways to accomplish this mission, it became apparent that there was a global need for a centralized resource for information as well as educational resources, and that this could best be accomplished by creating a new education-focused virtual community for physicians, sonographers and industry.

The Heart Surgery Forum

The Heart Surgery Forum is a peer-reviewed, scientific journal for cardiothoracic surgery professionals. Featuring full multimedia - sound, video, color still images, and text - HSF uses print and the internet in conjuction with CD-ROM.

The Pipes Are Calling - A Vascular Disease Blog

This blog aims to highlight cases -- typical and atypical (but always interesting) -- that illustrate the thought process of this vascular surgeon in working up and treating patients with vascular diseases.