LAS VEGAS – Hyponatremia is not a salt problem, it’s a water problem.

That was the lead message in a well-attended rapid-fire session on hyponatremia at the annual meeting of the Society of Hospital Medicine.

“It’s almost always associated with pathologic elevations of ADH [antidiuretic hormone], and it’s that retention of water that dilutes the serum and drops the sodium, which causes the cerebral edema,” said Thomas Yacovella, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Treatment of hyponatremia should always be predicated on how long it took for the condition to develop and the pathophysiology of the situation, Dr. Yacovella said. “It’s not quite as asymptomatic as you think,” he noted. Patients who present with several other medical issues often have low sodium levels, impaired cognitive abilities, and unstable gait. These could be cases of hyponatremia, he said.

“Remember that hyponatremia is a bad actor, especially when associated with a chronic disease,” Dr. Yacovella said. Serum sodium levels are a reliable surrogate for chronic heart failure related to hyponatremia. End-stage disease is when sodium levels are at 125 or less.

A basic work-up for hyponatremia starts with assessing fluid intake, history of medications and of any causes of ADH release, volume status assessment, and laboratory evaluations of blood and urine. The three keys to knowing how quickly hyponatremia can be reversed are severity of symptoms, how long it took for the condition to develop, and the risk of herniation vs. the risk of osmotic demyelination, he said.

In cases of osmotic demyelination, Dr. Yacovella advised monitoring urine osmolality and cases where ADH release could be quickly reversed. “When you don’t know for sure, go slow,” he said.

Exercise-associated hyponatremia is often caused by the perfect storm of sodium loss, high emotion, vomiting, pain, excessive water intake, and high ADH levels. This form of hyponatremia can occur postoperatively, but is more typically associated with the copious water ingestion that can occur during psychosis, extreme exercise, ecstasy ingestion, and “stupid” contests that involve extreme behavior, Dr. Yacovella said. His pearls for acute management of these kinds of hyponatremia were to administer a 100-mL bolus of hypertonic saline, and that a large output of dilute urine indicates corrective aquaresis.

Dr. Yacovella emphasized that in addition to remembering that hyponatremia is a water and not a salt problem, physicians should always look to “the path of physiology of the disease, and how long it took to develop the hyponatremia, and that will inform how quickly you can treat the patient.”

He had nothing to disclose.

[email protected]

On Twitter @whitneymcknight

 

LAS VEGAS – Hyponatremia is not a salt problem, it’s a water problem.

That was the lead message in a well-attended rapid-fire session on hyponatremia at the annual meeting of the Society of Hospital Medicine.

“It’s almost always associated with pathologic elevations of ADH [antidiuretic hormone], and it’s that retention of water that dilutes the serum and drops the sodium, which causes the cerebral edema,” said Thomas Yacovella, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Treatment of hyponatremia should always be predicated on how long it took for the condition to develop and the pathophysiology of the situation, Dr. Yacovella said. “It’s not quite as asymptomatic as you think,” he noted. Patients who present with several other medical issues often have low sodium levels, impaired cognitive abilities, and unstable gait. These could be cases of hyponatremia, he said.

“Remember that hyponatremia is a bad actor, especially when associated with a chronic disease,” Dr. Yacovella said. Serum sodium levels are a reliable surrogate for chronic heart failure related to hyponatremia. End-stage disease is when sodium levels are at 125 or less.

A basic work-up for hyponatremia starts with assessing fluid intake, history of medications and of any causes of ADH release, volume status assessment, and laboratory evaluations of blood and urine. The three keys to knowing how quickly hyponatremia can be reversed are severity of symptoms, how long it took for the condition to develop, and the risk of herniation vs. the risk of osmotic demyelination, he said.

In cases of osmotic demyelination, Dr. Yacovella advised monitoring urine osmolality and cases where ADH release could be quickly reversed. “When you don’t know for sure, go slow,” he said.

Exercise-associated hyponatremia is often caused by the perfect storm of sodium loss, high emotion, vomiting, pain, excessive water intake, and high ADH levels. This form of hyponatremia can occur postoperatively, but is more typically associated with the copious water ingestion that can occur during psychosis, extreme exercise, ecstasy ingestion, and “stupid” contests that involve extreme behavior, Dr. Yacovella said. His pearls for acute management of these kinds of hyponatremia were to administer a 100-mL bolus of hypertonic saline, and that a large output of dilute urine indicates corrective aquaresis.

Dr. Yacovella emphasized that in addition to remembering that hyponatremia is a water and not a salt problem, physicians should always look to “the path of physiology of the disease, and how long it took to develop the hyponatremia, and that will inform how quickly you can treat the patient.”

He had nothing to disclose.

[email protected]

On Twitter @whitneymcknight

 

LAS VEGAS – Hyponatremia is not a salt problem, it’s a water problem.

That was the lead message in a well-attended rapid-fire session on hyponatremia at the annual meeting of the Society of Hospital Medicine.

“It’s almost always associated with pathologic elevations of ADH [antidiuretic hormone], and it’s that retention of water that dilutes the serum and drops the sodium, which causes the cerebral edema,” said Thomas Yacovella, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Treatment of hyponatremia should always be predicated on how long it took for the condition to develop and the pathophysiology of the situation, Dr. Yacovella said. “It’s not quite as asymptomatic as you think,” he noted. Patients who present with several other medical issues often have low sodium levels, impaired cognitive abilities, and unstable gait. These could be cases of hyponatremia, he said.

“Remember that hyponatremia is a bad actor, especially when associated with a chronic disease,” Dr. Yacovella said. Serum sodium levels are a reliable surrogate for chronic heart failure related to hyponatremia. End-stage disease is when sodium levels are at 125 or less.

A basic work-up for hyponatremia starts with assessing fluid intake, history of medications and of any causes of ADH release, volume status assessment, and laboratory evaluations of blood and urine. The three keys to knowing how quickly hyponatremia can be reversed are severity of symptoms, how long it took for the condition to develop, and the risk of herniation vs. the risk of osmotic demyelination, he said.

In cases of osmotic demyelination, Dr. Yacovella advised monitoring urine osmolality and cases where ADH release could be quickly reversed. “When you don’t know for sure, go slow,” he said.

Exercise-associated hyponatremia is often caused by the perfect storm of sodium loss, high emotion, vomiting, pain, excessive water intake, and high ADH levels. This form of hyponatremia can occur postoperatively, but is more typically associated with the copious water ingestion that can occur during psychosis, extreme exercise, ecstasy ingestion, and “stupid” contests that involve extreme behavior, Dr. Yacovella said. His pearls for acute management of these kinds of hyponatremia were to administer a 100-mL bolus of hypertonic saline, and that a large output of dilute urine indicates corrective aquaresis.

Dr. Yacovella emphasized that in addition to remembering that hyponatremia is a water and not a salt problem, physicians should always look to “the path of physiology of the disease, and how long it took to develop the hyponatremia, and that will inform how quickly you can treat the patient.”

He had nothing to disclose.

[email protected]

On Twitter @whitneymcknight

 

Because revascularization and wound care are so closely linked, vascular surgeons and podiatrists can improve patient care when they work together.

That’s the thinking behind a cooperative approach in “Advances in Wound Care and Limb Management,” a postgraduate course set for 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Vascular Annual Meeting. It is a joint session of the SVS and the American Podiatric Medical Association.

SVS members routinely face the issues of the diabetic foot and subsequent wound care and possible and/or subsequent amputation and rehabilitation. The course will help cover these topics in depth and provide guidance and the latest information.

“Wound care is clearly very prevalent in the vascular community, something we do day to day,” said Dr. Richard Fries, co-moderating the course with Dr. James Christina, DPM, APMA executive director and CEO.

“It’s hard to go a day or two without seeing wound care or amputation issues. We thought a large audience at the Vascular Annual Meeting would find a thorough session on this very appealing.”

Dr. Fries and Dr. William Shutze worked to develop the program with the concentration eventually expanded to include partnering with the APMA. Both surgeons enthusiastically embraced the idea. “It was a logical choice,” said Dr. Fries. “Podiatrists are really the boots on the ground in terms of prevention. They are really the experts at preventative care. And that is something we need to stress to our patients, that good podiatric care will prevent wound progression and other problems.”

APMA plans to emphasize the many factors that must be considered in wound healing including off-loading, the use of biologics and an understanding of the basic principles of wound healing, said Dr. Christina.

“The continued alliance between podiatric physicians and vascular surgeons is especially important in wound healing as no matter what we do as podiatrists, without adequate circulation we cannot get wounds to heal,” he pointed out.

“The important collaborative role between revascularization by vascular surgeons and proper wound care by podiatrists leads to improved outcomes for patients, including reduced hospitalization, increased limb salvage and fewer amputations,” he said. “It is vital that both podiatrists and vascular surgeons recognize the roles that they play in the team approach to caring for wounds and the positive outcomes these have on patients’ lives.”

Course topics include: Avoiding diabetic foot complications, understanding wound healing, how and when to use off-loading to prevent amputation, using advanced wound-care products, wound healing studies, the economics of wound care and limb preservation and indocyanine green angiography and its use in limb preservation.

Prevention, Dr. Fries said, logically leads into surgical options that also are part of the postgrad course. These include: advantages of amputating a non-gangrenous limb; foot and ankle grafts and flaps, advanced amputations and alternative flaps, dressings and temporary prosthesis and use of basic and advanced prosthetics for amputee rehabilitation.

This postgraduate course is part of a concerted outreach to community practice members, who comprise a large proportion of SVS membership, said Dr. Fries. The topic was suggested by the SVS Community Practice Committee as being particularly relevant to private practice physicians. This program, and all others of special interest to that subgroup will be marked as such with a special icon in the program book and other programming materials.
 

Wednesday, May 31

2 – 5 p.m.

P5: SVS/APMA Joint Session: Advances in Wound Care and Limb Management

 

Because revascularization and wound care are so closely linked, vascular surgeons and podiatrists can improve patient care when they work together.

That’s the thinking behind a cooperative approach in “Advances in Wound Care and Limb Management,” a postgraduate course set for 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Vascular Annual Meeting. It is a joint session of the SVS and the American Podiatric Medical Association.

SVS members routinely face the issues of the diabetic foot and subsequent wound care and possible and/or subsequent amputation and rehabilitation. The course will help cover these topics in depth and provide guidance and the latest information.

“Wound care is clearly very prevalent in the vascular community, something we do day to day,” said Dr. Richard Fries, co-moderating the course with Dr. James Christina, DPM, APMA executive director and CEO.

“It’s hard to go a day or two without seeing wound care or amputation issues. We thought a large audience at the Vascular Annual Meeting would find a thorough session on this very appealing.”

Dr. Fries and Dr. William Shutze worked to develop the program with the concentration eventually expanded to include partnering with the APMA. Both surgeons enthusiastically embraced the idea. “It was a logical choice,” said Dr. Fries. “Podiatrists are really the boots on the ground in terms of prevention. They are really the experts at preventative care. And that is something we need to stress to our patients, that good podiatric care will prevent wound progression and other problems.”

APMA plans to emphasize the many factors that must be considered in wound healing including off-loading, the use of biologics and an understanding of the basic principles of wound healing, said Dr. Christina.

“The continued alliance between podiatric physicians and vascular surgeons is especially important in wound healing as no matter what we do as podiatrists, without adequate circulation we cannot get wounds to heal,” he pointed out.

“The important collaborative role between revascularization by vascular surgeons and proper wound care by podiatrists leads to improved outcomes for patients, including reduced hospitalization, increased limb salvage and fewer amputations,” he said. “It is vital that both podiatrists and vascular surgeons recognize the roles that they play in the team approach to caring for wounds and the positive outcomes these have on patients’ lives.”

Course topics include: Avoiding diabetic foot complications, understanding wound healing, how and when to use off-loading to prevent amputation, using advanced wound-care products, wound healing studies, the economics of wound care and limb preservation and indocyanine green angiography and its use in limb preservation.

Prevention, Dr. Fries said, logically leads into surgical options that also are part of the postgrad course. These include: advantages of amputating a non-gangrenous limb; foot and ankle grafts and flaps, advanced amputations and alternative flaps, dressings and temporary prosthesis and use of basic and advanced prosthetics for amputee rehabilitation.

This postgraduate course is part of a concerted outreach to community practice members, who comprise a large proportion of SVS membership, said Dr. Fries. The topic was suggested by the SVS Community Practice Committee as being particularly relevant to private practice physicians. This program, and all others of special interest to that subgroup will be marked as such with a special icon in the program book and other programming materials.
 

Wednesday, May 31

2 – 5 p.m.

P5: SVS/APMA Joint Session: Advances in Wound Care and Limb Management

 

Because revascularization and wound care are so closely linked, vascular surgeons and podiatrists can improve patient care when they work together.

That’s the thinking behind a cooperative approach in “Advances in Wound Care and Limb Management,” a postgraduate course set for 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Vascular Annual Meeting. It is a joint session of the SVS and the American Podiatric Medical Association.

SVS members routinely face the issues of the diabetic foot and subsequent wound care and possible and/or subsequent amputation and rehabilitation. The course will help cover these topics in depth and provide guidance and the latest information.

“Wound care is clearly very prevalent in the vascular community, something we do day to day,” said Dr. Richard Fries, co-moderating the course with Dr. James Christina, DPM, APMA executive director and CEO.

“It’s hard to go a day or two without seeing wound care or amputation issues. We thought a large audience at the Vascular Annual Meeting would find a thorough session on this very appealing.”

Dr. Fries and Dr. William Shutze worked to develop the program with the concentration eventually expanded to include partnering with the APMA. Both surgeons enthusiastically embraced the idea. “It was a logical choice,” said Dr. Fries. “Podiatrists are really the boots on the ground in terms of prevention. They are really the experts at preventative care. And that is something we need to stress to our patients, that good podiatric care will prevent wound progression and other problems.”

APMA plans to emphasize the many factors that must be considered in wound healing including off-loading, the use of biologics and an understanding of the basic principles of wound healing, said Dr. Christina.

“The continued alliance between podiatric physicians and vascular surgeons is especially important in wound healing as no matter what we do as podiatrists, without adequate circulation we cannot get wounds to heal,” he pointed out.

“The important collaborative role between revascularization by vascular surgeons and proper wound care by podiatrists leads to improved outcomes for patients, including reduced hospitalization, increased limb salvage and fewer amputations,” he said. “It is vital that both podiatrists and vascular surgeons recognize the roles that they play in the team approach to caring for wounds and the positive outcomes these have on patients’ lives.”

Course topics include: Avoiding diabetic foot complications, understanding wound healing, how and when to use off-loading to prevent amputation, using advanced wound-care products, wound healing studies, the economics of wound care and limb preservation and indocyanine green angiography and its use in limb preservation.

Prevention, Dr. Fries said, logically leads into surgical options that also are part of the postgrad course. These include: advantages of amputating a non-gangrenous limb; foot and ankle grafts and flaps, advanced amputations and alternative flaps, dressings and temporary prosthesis and use of basic and advanced prosthetics for amputee rehabilitation.

This postgraduate course is part of a concerted outreach to community practice members, who comprise a large proportion of SVS membership, said Dr. Fries. The topic was suggested by the SVS Community Practice Committee as being particularly relevant to private practice physicians. This program, and all others of special interest to that subgroup will be marked as such with a special icon in the program book and other programming materials.
 

Wednesday, May 31

2 – 5 p.m.

P5: SVS/APMA Joint Session: Advances in Wound Care and Limb Management

 

I would like to personally welcome everyone to San Diego and invite all 2017 Vascular Annual Meeting attendees to visit the Spring Meeting of the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Society (VESS).

This year’s program will be held on Wednesday, May 31, and comprises two informative paper sessions from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4:00 p.m.in the San Diego Convention Center Room 6F (upper level).

Courtesy VESS

Dr. Bernadette Aulivola and the VESS Program Committee, in collaboration with the SVS Program Committee, have selected 30 timely research papers for presentation. The format of the meeting allows for open discussion between the presenters, discussants (all of whom will be VESS Candidate Members), and attendees. I am sure you will enjoy the experience and we welcome your participation.

Founded in 1976 by 19 forward-thinking young vascular surgeons, VESS has grown to become a prominent national and international organization boasting over 1,000 members.

Focused on young vascular surgeons in both academic and community practice, VESS offers excellent educational opportunities, competitive research grant programs, and networking opportunities for career growth. A few examples include the resident/fellow research award, the junior faculty research award, the VESS travel grant, the Women and Diversity Meet the Leaders Mentor Program, and the resident/fellows career development symposium and emerging technology forum.

In line with these priorities, VESS is co-sponsoring along with SVS Young Surgeons’ Committee the VAM General Surgery Resident/Medical Student Program Welcome Reception on Wednesday, May 31, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. in Marina Ballroom D at the Marriott Marquis. Please come by and interact with future vascular surgeons from across the country.

The VESS Annual Meeting is held in the winter each year and is a highlight of the academic year for all members, families, and sponsors alike. The annual meeting is a special time to share research, contribute ideas, learn new technologies, and make lifelong friends. The next annual meeting will take place January 31 – February 4, 2018 (just prior to the next New England Patriots SuperBowl victory), and will be convened at the newly renovated Vail Cascade Resort and Spa, Vail, Colo.

The weekend will feature high-caliber research presentations, open interactive discussion, and hands-on simulation programs, blended with exciting social events all set in 5,200 acres of pristine ski and snowboard terrain with activities for the entire family. I encourage you to take advantage of everything the unique setting of the Annual Meeting has to offer.

Visit our new website www.vesurgery.org for more details or email me personally at [email protected]. I look forward to seeing you in San Diego!

Peter R. Nelson, MD, MS

VESS President

 

I would like to personally welcome everyone to San Diego and invite all 2017 Vascular Annual Meeting attendees to visit the Spring Meeting of the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Society (VESS).

This year’s program will be held on Wednesday, May 31, and comprises two informative paper sessions from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4:00 p.m.in the San Diego Convention Center Room 6F (upper level).

Courtesy VESS

Dr. Bernadette Aulivola and the VESS Program Committee, in collaboration with the SVS Program Committee, have selected 30 timely research papers for presentation. The format of the meeting allows for open discussion between the presenters, discussants (all of whom will be VESS Candidate Members), and attendees. I am sure you will enjoy the experience and we welcome your participation.

Founded in 1976 by 19 forward-thinking young vascular surgeons, VESS has grown to become a prominent national and international organization boasting over 1,000 members.

Focused on young vascular surgeons in both academic and community practice, VESS offers excellent educational opportunities, competitive research grant programs, and networking opportunities for career growth. A few examples include the resident/fellow research award, the junior faculty research award, the VESS travel grant, the Women and Diversity Meet the Leaders Mentor Program, and the resident/fellows career development symposium and emerging technology forum.

In line with these priorities, VESS is co-sponsoring along with SVS Young Surgeons’ Committee the VAM General Surgery Resident/Medical Student Program Welcome Reception on Wednesday, May 31, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. in Marina Ballroom D at the Marriott Marquis. Please come by and interact with future vascular surgeons from across the country.

The VESS Annual Meeting is held in the winter each year and is a highlight of the academic year for all members, families, and sponsors alike. The annual meeting is a special time to share research, contribute ideas, learn new technologies, and make lifelong friends. The next annual meeting will take place January 31 – February 4, 2018 (just prior to the next New England Patriots SuperBowl victory), and will be convened at the newly renovated Vail Cascade Resort and Spa, Vail, Colo.

The weekend will feature high-caliber research presentations, open interactive discussion, and hands-on simulation programs, blended with exciting social events all set in 5,200 acres of pristine ski and snowboard terrain with activities for the entire family. I encourage you to take advantage of everything the unique setting of the Annual Meeting has to offer.

Visit our new website www.vesurgery.org for more details or email me personally at [email protected]. I look forward to seeing you in San Diego!

Peter R. Nelson, MD, MS

VESS President

 

I would like to personally welcome everyone to San Diego and invite all 2017 Vascular Annual Meeting attendees to visit the Spring Meeting of the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Society (VESS).

This year’s program will be held on Wednesday, May 31, and comprises two informative paper sessions from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4:00 p.m.in the San Diego Convention Center Room 6F (upper level).

Courtesy VESS

Dr. Bernadette Aulivola and the VESS Program Committee, in collaboration with the SVS Program Committee, have selected 30 timely research papers for presentation. The format of the meeting allows for open discussion between the presenters, discussants (all of whom will be VESS Candidate Members), and attendees. I am sure you will enjoy the experience and we welcome your participation.

Founded in 1976 by 19 forward-thinking young vascular surgeons, VESS has grown to become a prominent national and international organization boasting over 1,000 members.

Focused on young vascular surgeons in both academic and community practice, VESS offers excellent educational opportunities, competitive research grant programs, and networking opportunities for career growth. A few examples include the resident/fellow research award, the junior faculty research award, the VESS travel grant, the Women and Diversity Meet the Leaders Mentor Program, and the resident/fellows career development symposium and emerging technology forum.

In line with these priorities, VESS is co-sponsoring along with SVS Young Surgeons’ Committee the VAM General Surgery Resident/Medical Student Program Welcome Reception on Wednesday, May 31, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. in Marina Ballroom D at the Marriott Marquis. Please come by and interact with future vascular surgeons from across the country.

The VESS Annual Meeting is held in the winter each year and is a highlight of the academic year for all members, families, and sponsors alike. The annual meeting is a special time to share research, contribute ideas, learn new technologies, and make lifelong friends. The next annual meeting will take place January 31 – February 4, 2018 (just prior to the next New England Patriots SuperBowl victory), and will be convened at the newly renovated Vail Cascade Resort and Spa, Vail, Colo.

The weekend will feature high-caliber research presentations, open interactive discussion, and hands-on simulation programs, blended with exciting social events all set in 5,200 acres of pristine ski and snowboard terrain with activities for the entire family. I encourage you to take advantage of everything the unique setting of the Annual Meeting has to offer.

Visit our new website www.vesurgery.org for more details or email me personally at [email protected]. I look forward to seeing you in San Diego!

Peter R. Nelson, MD, MS

VESS President

 

The 2016 Vascular Quality Initiative’s inaugural annual meeting proved so popular that the one-day session has been expanded by a half-day, and a networking reception and poster abstract session added.

VQI@VAM kicks off at noon Tuesday, May 30, and continues all day Wednesday, May 31. Day Two coincides with opening day of the Vascular Annual Meeting.

“Participants were very positive about all the content we offered last year,” said Dr. Jens Eldrup-Jorgensen, VQI’s new medical director. It was also a very full day. With attendees interested in learning more, expanding the meeting became essential.

“Data managers wanted two additions: more detailed information about the registries and content specific to data managers that would cover all the registries, plus more time to network, to have time to share information and best practices with people from other institutions.”

The additional half day is specifically dedicated to data managers. Concurrent sessions will permit the managers to attend sessions on the registries most interesting to them, diving deeply into the data. Popular topics, such as the registries for Endovascular AAA Repair and Peripheral Vascular Intervention, will be repeated so attendees have more than one opportunity to review that information.

Adding the posters and networking reception at the end of the first day adds another dimension to the meeting. The posters will cover quality improvement or improvement in the processes of using the registries, such as how best to enter data to create reports or how to use that data for quality improvement projects. With posters presented during the reception, all participants can converse with others on best practices and how to solve problems, said Dr. Eldrup-Jorensen.

The reception and poster session will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

VQI@ VAM continues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 31. At 12 p.m., Dr. Eldrup-Jorgensen, VQI’s will present the Keynote Address, “National Quality Initiatives and Critical Priorities for the VQI.”

For more information, visit www.vascularqualityinitiative.org.

 

The 2016 Vascular Quality Initiative’s inaugural annual meeting proved so popular that the one-day session has been expanded by a half-day, and a networking reception and poster abstract session added.

VQI@VAM kicks off at noon Tuesday, May 30, and continues all day Wednesday, May 31. Day Two coincides with opening day of the Vascular Annual Meeting.

“Participants were very positive about all the content we offered last year,” said Dr. Jens Eldrup-Jorgensen, VQI’s new medical director. It was also a very full day. With attendees interested in learning more, expanding the meeting became essential.

“Data managers wanted two additions: more detailed information about the registries and content specific to data managers that would cover all the registries, plus more time to network, to have time to share information and best practices with people from other institutions.”

The additional half day is specifically dedicated to data managers. Concurrent sessions will permit the managers to attend sessions on the registries most interesting to them, diving deeply into the data. Popular topics, such as the registries for Endovascular AAA Repair and Peripheral Vascular Intervention, will be repeated so attendees have more than one opportunity to review that information.

Adding the posters and networking reception at the end of the first day adds another dimension to the meeting. The posters will cover quality improvement or improvement in the processes of using the registries, such as how best to enter data to create reports or how to use that data for quality improvement projects. With posters presented during the reception, all participants can converse with others on best practices and how to solve problems, said Dr. Eldrup-Jorensen.

The reception and poster session will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

VQI@ VAM continues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 31. At 12 p.m., Dr. Eldrup-Jorgensen, VQI’s will present the Keynote Address, “National Quality Initiatives and Critical Priorities for the VQI.”

For more information, visit www.vascularqualityinitiative.org.

 

The 2016 Vascular Quality Initiative’s inaugural annual meeting proved so popular that the one-day session has been expanded by a half-day, and a networking reception and poster abstract session added.

VQI@VAM kicks off at noon Tuesday, May 30, and continues all day Wednesday, May 31. Day Two coincides with opening day of the Vascular Annual Meeting.

“Participants were very positive about all the content we offered last year,” said Dr. Jens Eldrup-Jorgensen, VQI’s new medical director. It was also a very full day. With attendees interested in learning more, expanding the meeting became essential.

“Data managers wanted two additions: more detailed information about the registries and content specific to data managers that would cover all the registries, plus more time to network, to have time to share information and best practices with people from other institutions.”

The additional half day is specifically dedicated to data managers. Concurrent sessions will permit the managers to attend sessions on the registries most interesting to them, diving deeply into the data. Popular topics, such as the registries for Endovascular AAA Repair and Peripheral Vascular Intervention, will be repeated so attendees have more than one opportunity to review that information.

Adding the posters and networking reception at the end of the first day adds another dimension to the meeting. The posters will cover quality improvement or improvement in the processes of using the registries, such as how best to enter data to create reports or how to use that data for quality improvement projects. With posters presented during the reception, all participants can converse with others on best practices and how to solve problems, said Dr. Eldrup-Jorensen.

The reception and poster session will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

VQI@ VAM continues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 31. At 12 p.m., Dr. Eldrup-Jorgensen, VQI’s will present the Keynote Address, “National Quality Initiatives and Critical Priorities for the VQI.”

For more information, visit www.vascularqualityinitiative.org.

 

To help SVS members learn the necessary steps of setting up a multicenter clinical research study, this year’s Vascular Annual Meeting offers “The Nuts and Bolts of a Multicenter Clinical Trial.” The concurrent session will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, VAM’s opening day.

“The most accepted method of definitively answering questions is a clinical trial,” said SVS Clinical Research Committee Chair and co-moderator, Dr. Raul Guzman. Though many SVS members have participated in multicenter trials, “They’re not easy endeavors,” said Dr. Guzman. “It takes time, commitment and money to really push forward an idea for a multicenter trial from the ground up.”

Session organizers from the Clinical Research Committee believe many investigators within the vascular community are interested in taking one of their questions and answering it decisively.

“Nuts and Bolts” will provide an insider’s view of effective approaches and processes for launching a multicenter clinical trial, focusing on the best strategies and the challenges involved. “We hope that at the end of the session, attendees will have sufficient detail about this process so they could begin their own trial. We want to provide an initial education,” Dr. Guzman said.

Speakers include SVS members who are successful clinical investigators:

Dr. Brajesh Lal, will speak on “How to Get Started – Perspectives from CREST and CREST-2”

Dr. Alik Farber, “Trial Execution – Tips from the BEST-CLI Trial Investigators”

Dr. B. Timothy Baxter, “The End Game, Finishing Your Trial – How We Did It in NTA^3CT”

Dr. C. Keith Ozaki, “The Small Multicenter Randomized Trial – Involving Your Friends and Neighbors”

Dr. Philip Goodney, “Patient-Oriented Research – A Multicenter Approach to PCORI Trials”

“A discussion about how to overcome challenges and avoid potential pitfalls that can be encountered during the various stages of trial execution are an important part of the course. “Our speakers will discuss not only what they did well, but what they could do better,” said Dr. Guzman.

Many members have questions that need answers, he said. “I would venture to say that most SVS members have had an idea for a clinical trial. They’ve formed the basis of a trial but there are so many challenges that they’ve been discouraged. One of the questions is, “Where do you even start?’

“We think we’ll be able to answer that for them,” Dr. Guzman said.

Wednesday, May 31

5 – 6:30 p.m.

C2: The Nuts and Bolts of a Multicenter Clinical Trial

 

To help SVS members learn the necessary steps of setting up a multicenter clinical research study, this year’s Vascular Annual Meeting offers “The Nuts and Bolts of a Multicenter Clinical Trial.” The concurrent session will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, VAM’s opening day.

“The most accepted method of definitively answering questions is a clinical trial,” said SVS Clinical Research Committee Chair and co-moderator, Dr. Raul Guzman. Though many SVS members have participated in multicenter trials, “They’re not easy endeavors,” said Dr. Guzman. “It takes time, commitment and money to really push forward an idea for a multicenter trial from the ground up.”

Session organizers from the Clinical Research Committee believe many investigators within the vascular community are interested in taking one of their questions and answering it decisively.

“Nuts and Bolts” will provide an insider’s view of effective approaches and processes for launching a multicenter clinical trial, focusing on the best strategies and the challenges involved. “We hope that at the end of the session, attendees will have sufficient detail about this process so they could begin their own trial. We want to provide an initial education,” Dr. Guzman said.

Speakers include SVS members who are successful clinical investigators:

Dr. Brajesh Lal, will speak on “How to Get Started – Perspectives from CREST and CREST-2”

Dr. Alik Farber, “Trial Execution – Tips from the BEST-CLI Trial Investigators”

Dr. B. Timothy Baxter, “The End Game, Finishing Your Trial – How We Did It in NTA^3CT”

Dr. C. Keith Ozaki, “The Small Multicenter Randomized Trial – Involving Your Friends and Neighbors”

Dr. Philip Goodney, “Patient-Oriented Research – A Multicenter Approach to PCORI Trials”

“A discussion about how to overcome challenges and avoid potential pitfalls that can be encountered during the various stages of trial execution are an important part of the course. “Our speakers will discuss not only what they did well, but what they could do better,” said Dr. Guzman.

Many members have questions that need answers, he said. “I would venture to say that most SVS members have had an idea for a clinical trial. They’ve formed the basis of a trial but there are so many challenges that they’ve been discouraged. One of the questions is, “Where do you even start?’

“We think we’ll be able to answer that for them,” Dr. Guzman said.

Wednesday, May 31

5 – 6:30 p.m.

C2: The Nuts and Bolts of a Multicenter Clinical Trial

 

To help SVS members learn the necessary steps of setting up a multicenter clinical research study, this year’s Vascular Annual Meeting offers “The Nuts and Bolts of a Multicenter Clinical Trial.” The concurrent session will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, VAM’s opening day.

“The most accepted method of definitively answering questions is a clinical trial,” said SVS Clinical Research Committee Chair and co-moderator, Dr. Raul Guzman. Though many SVS members have participated in multicenter trials, “They’re not easy endeavors,” said Dr. Guzman. “It takes time, commitment and money to really push forward an idea for a multicenter trial from the ground up.”

Session organizers from the Clinical Research Committee believe many investigators within the vascular community are interested in taking one of their questions and answering it decisively.

“Nuts and Bolts” will provide an insider’s view of effective approaches and processes for launching a multicenter clinical trial, focusing on the best strategies and the challenges involved. “We hope that at the end of the session, attendees will have sufficient detail about this process so they could begin their own trial. We want to provide an initial education,” Dr. Guzman said.

Speakers include SVS members who are successful clinical investigators:

Dr. Brajesh Lal, will speak on “How to Get Started – Perspectives from CREST and CREST-2”

Dr. Alik Farber, “Trial Execution – Tips from the BEST-CLI Trial Investigators”

Dr. B. Timothy Baxter, “The End Game, Finishing Your Trial – How We Did It in NTA^3CT”

Dr. C. Keith Ozaki, “The Small Multicenter Randomized Trial – Involving Your Friends and Neighbors”

Dr. Philip Goodney, “Patient-Oriented Research – A Multicenter Approach to PCORI Trials”

“A discussion about how to overcome challenges and avoid potential pitfalls that can be encountered during the various stages of trial execution are an important part of the course. “Our speakers will discuss not only what they did well, but what they could do better,” said Dr. Guzman.

Many members have questions that need answers, he said. “I would venture to say that most SVS members have had an idea for a clinical trial. They’ve formed the basis of a trial but there are so many challenges that they’ve been discouraged. One of the questions is, “Where do you even start?’

“We think we’ll be able to answer that for them,” Dr. Guzman said.

Wednesday, May 31

5 – 6:30 p.m.

C2: The Nuts and Bolts of a Multicenter Clinical Trial

 

I always enjoy our Vascular Annual Meeting, and I look forward to it for months. It’s the leading forum for important and cutting-edge clinical and translational research, with presenters and attendees from across the country and around the world.

Come join us in San Diego May 31 to June 3 for the pre-eminent educational and social networking event of the year in vascular surgery and endovascular therapy. With all the changes coming in medicine and the health care system, this is the perfect chance to gather with health care professionals who are focused on the comprehensive and longitudinal care of patients with vascular disease.

Here are some highlights:

Collaboration: Multiple joint sessions, reflecting multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches providing our patients the best possible vascular care. We have sessions with a virtual alphabet soup of allied societies: APMA, AVF, ESVS, STS, SVM, SVN and SVU.

Expanded programming: Sessions have been added on both Wednesday and Saturday, so plan your travel accordingly. Member registrants enjoy free admission to Wednesday’s six postgraduate courses, a $300 value. In addition, VAM includes more concurrent sessions than ever before, plus focused breakfast sessions and video presentations. A revamped workshop schedule also debuts Wednesday.

Updated, new guidelines: We plan a session offering an update on clinical practice guidelines, including hospital privileges, surgical follow-up and care of patients with AAA, plus the unveiling of new global CLI guidelines.

Education credits: CME credits and Maintenance of Certification self-assessment credits are available. Our mobile app makes it easier than ever to take the self-assessment exams via a link within the app.

Community-practice programming: A majority of vascular care is delivered by vascular surgeons working in a community practice setting. To help meet the needs of our community practice members, several sessions this year carry a “seal of approval” from the SVS Community Practice Committee.

Young Surgeon programming: To help our young surgeons navigate VAM more easily, the SVS Young Surgeons Advisory Committee has recommended several sessions and abstracts as being of particular interest to this audience. All are marked with a unique icon to identify the sessions quickly and easily.

Events for our international attendees: Wednesday offers a full day of international programming, kicked off by a new event, “International Consortium of Vascular Registries: Quality Improvement in Vascular Surgery Goes Global.”

Fun: Social events, alumni receptions and other opportunities let attendees catch up with old friends and make new connections. And, we’ll be in beautiful San Diego, so bring the family for a vacation either before or after VAM.

If you haven’t already, register today at vsweb.org/VAM17. I look forward to welcoming all of you and sharing what’s new in our specialty.

Sincerely,

Ronald M. Fairman, MD

SVS President

 

I always enjoy our Vascular Annual Meeting, and I look forward to it for months. It’s the leading forum for important and cutting-edge clinical and translational research, with presenters and attendees from across the country and around the world.

Come join us in San Diego May 31 to June 3 for the pre-eminent educational and social networking event of the year in vascular surgery and endovascular therapy. With all the changes coming in medicine and the health care system, this is the perfect chance to gather with health care professionals who are focused on the comprehensive and longitudinal care of patients with vascular disease.

Here are some highlights:

Collaboration: Multiple joint sessions, reflecting multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches providing our patients the best possible vascular care. We have sessions with a virtual alphabet soup of allied societies: APMA, AVF, ESVS, STS, SVM, SVN and SVU.

Expanded programming: Sessions have been added on both Wednesday and Saturday, so plan your travel accordingly. Member registrants enjoy free admission to Wednesday’s six postgraduate courses, a $300 value. In addition, VAM includes more concurrent sessions than ever before, plus focused breakfast sessions and video presentations. A revamped workshop schedule also debuts Wednesday.

Updated, new guidelines: We plan a session offering an update on clinical practice guidelines, including hospital privileges, surgical follow-up and care of patients with AAA, plus the unveiling of new global CLI guidelines.

Education credits: CME credits and Maintenance of Certification self-assessment credits are available. Our mobile app makes it easier than ever to take the self-assessment exams via a link within the app.

Community-practice programming: A majority of vascular care is delivered by vascular surgeons working in a community practice setting. To help meet the needs of our community practice members, several sessions this year carry a “seal of approval” from the SVS Community Practice Committee.

Young Surgeon programming: To help our young surgeons navigate VAM more easily, the SVS Young Surgeons Advisory Committee has recommended several sessions and abstracts as being of particular interest to this audience. All are marked with a unique icon to identify the sessions quickly and easily.

Events for our international attendees: Wednesday offers a full day of international programming, kicked off by a new event, “International Consortium of Vascular Registries: Quality Improvement in Vascular Surgery Goes Global.”

Fun: Social events, alumni receptions and other opportunities let attendees catch up with old friends and make new connections. And, we’ll be in beautiful San Diego, so bring the family for a vacation either before or after VAM.

If you haven’t already, register today at vsweb.org/VAM17. I look forward to welcoming all of you and sharing what’s new in our specialty.

Sincerely,

Ronald M. Fairman, MD

SVS President

 

I always enjoy our Vascular Annual Meeting, and I look forward to it for months. It’s the leading forum for important and cutting-edge clinical and translational research, with presenters and attendees from across the country and around the world.

Come join us in San Diego May 31 to June 3 for the pre-eminent educational and social networking event of the year in vascular surgery and endovascular therapy. With all the changes coming in medicine and the health care system, this is the perfect chance to gather with health care professionals who are focused on the comprehensive and longitudinal care of patients with vascular disease.

Here are some highlights:

Collaboration: Multiple joint sessions, reflecting multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches providing our patients the best possible vascular care. We have sessions with a virtual alphabet soup of allied societies: APMA, AVF, ESVS, STS, SVM, SVN and SVU.

Expanded programming: Sessions have been added on both Wednesday and Saturday, so plan your travel accordingly. Member registrants enjoy free admission to Wednesday’s six postgraduate courses, a $300 value. In addition, VAM includes more concurrent sessions than ever before, plus focused breakfast sessions and video presentations. A revamped workshop schedule also debuts Wednesday.

Updated, new guidelines: We plan a session offering an update on clinical practice guidelines, including hospital privileges, surgical follow-up and care of patients with AAA, plus the unveiling of new global CLI guidelines.

Education credits: CME credits and Maintenance of Certification self-assessment credits are available. Our mobile app makes it easier than ever to take the self-assessment exams via a link within the app.

Community-practice programming: A majority of vascular care is delivered by vascular surgeons working in a community practice setting. To help meet the needs of our community practice members, several sessions this year carry a “seal of approval” from the SVS Community Practice Committee.

Young Surgeon programming: To help our young surgeons navigate VAM more easily, the SVS Young Surgeons Advisory Committee has recommended several sessions and abstracts as being of particular interest to this audience. All are marked with a unique icon to identify the sessions quickly and easily.

Events for our international attendees: Wednesday offers a full day of international programming, kicked off by a new event, “International Consortium of Vascular Registries: Quality Improvement in Vascular Surgery Goes Global.”

Fun: Social events, alumni receptions and other opportunities let attendees catch up with old friends and make new connections. And, we’ll be in beautiful San Diego, so bring the family for a vacation either before or after VAM.

If you haven’t already, register today at vsweb.org/VAM17. I look forward to welcoming all of you and sharing what’s new in our specialty.

Sincerely,

Ronald M. Fairman, MD

SVS President

 

Aerosolized MMR vaccine can be used in booster campaigns in school-age children for measles and rubella, said José Luis Díaz Ortega, MD, of the Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Mexico, and his associates.

However, more studies of school-age children with longer follow-up of mumps antibody persistence are needed, they said.

CDC/ Cynthia S. Goldsmith; William Bellini, Ph.D.

A 1-year serological follow-up study was done in 241 Mexican children aged 6-7 years who received vaccine MMR SII (Serum Institute of India) administered by aerosol or injection or MMR II (Merck Sharp & Dohme) by aerosol or injection. The children had a history of receiving MMR at age 1-2 years. The aerosolization was performed through a vibrating mesh nebulizer.

Courtesy CDC/NIP/Barbara Rice

The persistence of immunity 1 year after the booster vaccination showed 100% seropositivity for measles and rubella and 90.3%-96.6% for mumps. The differences were not statistically significant among the four groups (P = .485).

Aerosolized vaccines are not available in the United States.

Read more in the journal Vaccine (2017 Apr 28. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.04.027).

[email protected]

 

Aerosolized MMR vaccine can be used in booster campaigns in school-age children for measles and rubella, said José Luis Díaz Ortega, MD, of the Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Mexico, and his associates.

However, more studies of school-age children with longer follow-up of mumps antibody persistence are needed, they said.

CDC/ Cynthia S. Goldsmith; William Bellini, Ph.D.

A 1-year serological follow-up study was done in 241 Mexican children aged 6-7 years who received vaccine MMR SII (Serum Institute of India) administered by aerosol or injection or MMR II (Merck Sharp & Dohme) by aerosol or injection. The children had a history of receiving MMR at age 1-2 years. The aerosolization was performed through a vibrating mesh nebulizer.

Courtesy CDC/NIP/Barbara Rice

The persistence of immunity 1 year after the booster vaccination showed 100% seropositivity for measles and rubella and 90.3%-96.6% for mumps. The differences were not statistically significant among the four groups (P = .485).

Aerosolized vaccines are not available in the United States.

Read more in the journal Vaccine (2017 Apr 28. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.04.027).

[email protected]

 

Aerosolized MMR vaccine can be used in booster campaigns in school-age children for measles and rubella, said José Luis Díaz Ortega, MD, of the Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Mexico, and his associates.

However, more studies of school-age children with longer follow-up of mumps antibody persistence are needed, they said.

CDC/ Cynthia S. Goldsmith; William Bellini, Ph.D.

A 1-year serological follow-up study was done in 241 Mexican children aged 6-7 years who received vaccine MMR SII (Serum Institute of India) administered by aerosol or injection or MMR II (Merck Sharp & Dohme) by aerosol or injection. The children had a history of receiving MMR at age 1-2 years. The aerosolization was performed through a vibrating mesh nebulizer.

Courtesy CDC/NIP/Barbara Rice

The persistence of immunity 1 year after the booster vaccination showed 100% seropositivity for measles and rubella and 90.3%-96.6% for mumps. The differences were not statistically significant among the four groups (P = .485).

Aerosolized vaccines are not available in the United States.

Read more in the journal Vaccine (2017 Apr 28. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.04.027).

[email protected]

 

Robert De Marco, MD, FCCP, was one of the first Champions Circle and Founder’s Society donors to make a major gift through insurance. We thank the De Marco family for their support in championing lung health, and it’s our pleasure to share the highlights of a recent interview with Dr. De Marco.

Why did you choose to give through insurance?

I had a Universal Life Policy that I bought when I was first in practice. While it would be a nice addition to my family bequest, it would be a much better gift to the foundation.

How was the process? Did you know anything about giving through insurance beforehand?

I knew nothing about donating insurance. I heard about it during a board strategy session and realized I had a policy that could be donated. I contacted my insurance company. I was sent forms, which were easy to fill out. The forms were then forwarded to CHEST for some signatures, and it was completed. It could not have been easier.

Would you recommend this method of giving to other donors?

Absolutely. If this policy isn’t vital to your family after you are gone, there could not be a better choice.

Why was this choice right for you and your family?

If you must take a significant amount of money out of your savings to make a sizable donation, you can put a serious dent in your retirement income. To be able to make that gift without any effect on my savings is a win-win for everyone.

Why do you continue to give to the CHEST Foundation?

I have spent my whole career trying to deal with diseases of the chest. What better way to sustain my efforts than to support a foundation dedicated to my life’s dreams? There is nothing more fulfilling than helping fund research or a project that could forever change the future of our patients’ lives. I truly believe we, as a group, are on the right path to succeeding in doing just that.

How is giving to the CHEST Foundation fulfilling to you?

How can any effort that will make the lives of our patients better not be fulfilling? Giving my time and effort without the expectation of something in return is an amazing feeling—one that I hope many donors in the future will realize. Just being a part of this great organization is a phenomenal experience.

GIFTS OF LIFE INSURANCE

Easy Solutions for a Greater Impact

If you own a life insurance policy that is no longer needed for its original purpose, you may consider gifting it to the CHEST Foundation.

You can also create a new policy naming the CHEST Foundation as the owner and beneficiary. An annual gift equal to the insurance premium can be given, which would provide you with a charitable deduction. The foundation would then direct the funds to the insurance provider.

This is an excellent win-win solution for you and the CHEST Foundation. For more information on these and other ways to support the CHEST Foundation, confidentially and with no obligation, contact Rudy Anderson at [email protected] or 224/521-9492.

 

Robert De Marco, MD, FCCP, was one of the first Champions Circle and Founder’s Society donors to make a major gift through insurance. We thank the De Marco family for their support in championing lung health, and it’s our pleasure to share the highlights of a recent interview with Dr. De Marco.

Why did you choose to give through insurance?

I had a Universal Life Policy that I bought when I was first in practice. While it would be a nice addition to my family bequest, it would be a much better gift to the foundation.

How was the process? Did you know anything about giving through insurance beforehand?

I knew nothing about donating insurance. I heard about it during a board strategy session and realized I had a policy that could be donated. I contacted my insurance company. I was sent forms, which were easy to fill out. The forms were then forwarded to CHEST for some signatures, and it was completed. It could not have been easier.

Would you recommend this method of giving to other donors?

Absolutely. If this policy isn’t vital to your family after you are gone, there could not be a better choice.

Why was this choice right for you and your family?

If you must take a significant amount of money out of your savings to make a sizable donation, you can put a serious dent in your retirement income. To be able to make that gift without any effect on my savings is a win-win for everyone.

Why do you continue to give to the CHEST Foundation?

I have spent my whole career trying to deal with diseases of the chest. What better way to sustain my efforts than to support a foundation dedicated to my life’s dreams? There is nothing more fulfilling than helping fund research or a project that could forever change the future of our patients’ lives. I truly believe we, as a group, are on the right path to succeeding in doing just that.

How is giving to the CHEST Foundation fulfilling to you?

How can any effort that will make the lives of our patients better not be fulfilling? Giving my time and effort without the expectation of something in return is an amazing feeling—one that I hope many donors in the future will realize. Just being a part of this great organization is a phenomenal experience.

GIFTS OF LIFE INSURANCE

Easy Solutions for a Greater Impact

If you own a life insurance policy that is no longer needed for its original purpose, you may consider gifting it to the CHEST Foundation.

You can also create a new policy naming the CHEST Foundation as the owner and beneficiary. An annual gift equal to the insurance premium can be given, which would provide you with a charitable deduction. The foundation would then direct the funds to the insurance provider.

This is an excellent win-win solution for you and the CHEST Foundation. For more information on these and other ways to support the CHEST Foundation, confidentially and with no obligation, contact Rudy Anderson at [email protected] or 224/521-9492.

 

Robert De Marco, MD, FCCP, was one of the first Champions Circle and Founder’s Society donors to make a major gift through insurance. We thank the De Marco family for their support in championing lung health, and it’s our pleasure to share the highlights of a recent interview with Dr. De Marco.

Why did you choose to give through insurance?

I had a Universal Life Policy that I bought when I was first in practice. While it would be a nice addition to my family bequest, it would be a much better gift to the foundation.

How was the process? Did you know anything about giving through insurance beforehand?

I knew nothing about donating insurance. I heard about it during a board strategy session and realized I had a policy that could be donated. I contacted my insurance company. I was sent forms, which were easy to fill out. The forms were then forwarded to CHEST for some signatures, and it was completed. It could not have been easier.

Would you recommend this method of giving to other donors?

Absolutely. If this policy isn’t vital to your family after you are gone, there could not be a better choice.

Why was this choice right for you and your family?

If you must take a significant amount of money out of your savings to make a sizable donation, you can put a serious dent in your retirement income. To be able to make that gift without any effect on my savings is a win-win for everyone.

Why do you continue to give to the CHEST Foundation?

I have spent my whole career trying to deal with diseases of the chest. What better way to sustain my efforts than to support a foundation dedicated to my life’s dreams? There is nothing more fulfilling than helping fund research or a project that could forever change the future of our patients’ lives. I truly believe we, as a group, are on the right path to succeeding in doing just that.

How is giving to the CHEST Foundation fulfilling to you?

How can any effort that will make the lives of our patients better not be fulfilling? Giving my time and effort without the expectation of something in return is an amazing feeling—one that I hope many donors in the future will realize. Just being a part of this great organization is a phenomenal experience.

GIFTS OF LIFE INSURANCE

Easy Solutions for a Greater Impact

If you own a life insurance policy that is no longer needed for its original purpose, you may consider gifting it to the CHEST Foundation.

You can also create a new policy naming the CHEST Foundation as the owner and beneficiary. An annual gift equal to the insurance premium can be given, which would provide you with a charitable deduction. The foundation would then direct the funds to the insurance provider.

This is an excellent win-win solution for you and the CHEST Foundation. For more information on these and other ways to support the CHEST Foundation, confidentially and with no obligation, contact Rudy Anderson at [email protected] or 224/521-9492.

 

Drs. Simpson, Hogarth, and Moores told Reddit to ask them anything—here’s what happened next.

“Is there an organ or system that sepsis generally targets?”

“If I’m going to be in the back of a cramped car cross country for 16 hours straight, should I take an aspirin beforehand to cut down risk of DVT?”

“Hello Doctor. Does thermoplasty have any application for bronchiectasis patients, like myself?”

Reddit is a social news aggregation site allowing users to post a wide range of topics to create discussion. The platform is currently one of the most informative and popular social sites on the web and has a huge following of members who focus their discussions on health care/science.

Within the science AMA subsection, users have the ability to post a topic or questions about anything and respond to other users. AMA, which stands for “Ask Me Anything,” describes the conversation happening between the user and the host of the topic. Users have the ability to ask questions related to the topic, or even ‘upvote’ particular questions that they would like answered. An ‘upvote’ moves a question or comment to the top of the page to become more visible to the host. AMAs can become trending topics on Reddit through ‘upvotes’, as well.

In an effort to help educate and inform individuals on advancements in chest medicine education, clinical research, and team-based care, CHEST has connected specialists with a deep passion for topics in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine to an audience filled with questions ready to be answered. Some of the topics we’ve covered include:

• Sepsis with Dr. Steven Q. Simpson, FCCP, who is a pulmonologist, intensivist, CHEST board member, and a sepsis researcher and expert. Dr. Simpson discussed the recent consensus statement on sepsis diagnosis. The statement aimed to redefine the diagnostic criteria of sepsis and eliminate the concept of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Dr. Simpson shared his rebuttal New Sepsis Guidelines: A Change We Should Not Make in the journal CHEST. Dr. Simpson’s statement expressed the concern that widespread application of this new SIRS definition could cost patient lives, and it should not be adopted. This AMA was upvoted 784 times.
• Asthma and bronchial thermoplasty with Dr. D. Kyle Hogarth, FCCP, who is a pulmonologist, member of CHEST, and the first physician in Illinois to perform bronchial thermoplasty, a nonpharmaceutical treatment for severe asthma. This AMA was upvoted 3,112 times.
• DVT with Dr. Lisa K. Moores, FCCP, who is a pulmonologist, member of CHEST, and an expert on thrombosis. Dr. Moores discussed VTE, DVT, and PE. This AMA was upvoted 903 times.

Hosting Reddit AMAs has allowed CHEST to not only reach a more public-facing audience but also health-care providers outside of chest medicine. Stepping into this platform has allowed us to position CHEST as a subject matter expert in topics like asthma, sepsis, and DVT/VTE. These AMAs have helped people to understand the role our members play within health-care by showcasing new and emerging treatments and raising public awareness of health conditions.

If you are interested in sharing your knowledge on a specific topic on Reddit, you can contact CHEST’s New Media Specialist Taylor Pecko-Reid, at [email protected].

 

Drs. Simpson, Hogarth, and Moores told Reddit to ask them anything—here’s what happened next.

“Is there an organ or system that sepsis generally targets?”

“If I’m going to be in the back of a cramped car cross country for 16 hours straight, should I take an aspirin beforehand to cut down risk of DVT?”

“Hello Doctor. Does thermoplasty have any application for bronchiectasis patients, like myself?”

Reddit is a social news aggregation site allowing users to post a wide range of topics to create discussion. The platform is currently one of the most informative and popular social sites on the web and has a huge following of members who focus their discussions on health care/science.

Within the science AMA subsection, users have the ability to post a topic or questions about anything and respond to other users. AMA, which stands for “Ask Me Anything,” describes the conversation happening between the user and the host of the topic. Users have the ability to ask questions related to the topic, or even ‘upvote’ particular questions that they would like answered. An ‘upvote’ moves a question or comment to the top of the page to become more visible to the host. AMAs can become trending topics on Reddit through ‘upvotes’, as well.

In an effort to help educate and inform individuals on advancements in chest medicine education, clinical research, and team-based care, CHEST has connected specialists with a deep passion for topics in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine to an audience filled with questions ready to be answered. Some of the topics we’ve covered include:

• Sepsis with Dr. Steven Q. Simpson, FCCP, who is a pulmonologist, intensivist, CHEST board member, and a sepsis researcher and expert. Dr. Simpson discussed the recent consensus statement on sepsis diagnosis. The statement aimed to redefine the diagnostic criteria of sepsis and eliminate the concept of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Dr. Simpson shared his rebuttal New Sepsis Guidelines: A Change We Should Not Make in the journal CHEST. Dr. Simpson’s statement expressed the concern that widespread application of this new SIRS definition could cost patient lives, and it should not be adopted. This AMA was upvoted 784 times.
• Asthma and bronchial thermoplasty with Dr. D. Kyle Hogarth, FCCP, who is a pulmonologist, member of CHEST, and the first physician in Illinois to perform bronchial thermoplasty, a nonpharmaceutical treatment for severe asthma. This AMA was upvoted 3,112 times.
• DVT with Dr. Lisa K. Moores, FCCP, who is a pulmonologist, member of CHEST, and an expert on thrombosis. Dr. Moores discussed VTE, DVT, and PE. This AMA was upvoted 903 times.

Hosting Reddit AMAs has allowed CHEST to not only reach a more public-facing audience but also health-care providers outside of chest medicine. Stepping into this platform has allowed us to position CHEST as a subject matter expert in topics like asthma, sepsis, and DVT/VTE. These AMAs have helped people to understand the role our members play within health-care by showcasing new and emerging treatments and raising public awareness of health conditions.

If you are interested in sharing your knowledge on a specific topic on Reddit, you can contact CHEST’s New Media Specialist Taylor Pecko-Reid, at [email protected].

 

Drs. Simpson, Hogarth, and Moores told Reddit to ask them anything—here’s what happened next.

“Is there an organ or system that sepsis generally targets?”

“If I’m going to be in the back of a cramped car cross country for 16 hours straight, should I take an aspirin beforehand to cut down risk of DVT?”

“Hello Doctor. Does thermoplasty have any application for bronchiectasis patients, like myself?”

Reddit is a social news aggregation site allowing users to post a wide range of topics to create discussion. The platform is currently one of the most informative and popular social sites on the web and has a huge following of members who focus their discussions on health care/science.

Within the science AMA subsection, users have the ability to post a topic or questions about anything and respond to other users. AMA, which stands for “Ask Me Anything,” describes the conversation happening between the user and the host of the topic. Users have the ability to ask questions related to the topic, or even ‘upvote’ particular questions that they would like answered. An ‘upvote’ moves a question or comment to the top of the page to become more visible to the host. AMAs can become trending topics on Reddit through ‘upvotes’, as well.

In an effort to help educate and inform individuals on advancements in chest medicine education, clinical research, and team-based care, CHEST has connected specialists with a deep passion for topics in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine to an audience filled with questions ready to be answered. Some of the topics we’ve covered include:

• Sepsis with Dr. Steven Q. Simpson, FCCP, who is a pulmonologist, intensivist, CHEST board member, and a sepsis researcher and expert. Dr. Simpson discussed the recent consensus statement on sepsis diagnosis. The statement aimed to redefine the diagnostic criteria of sepsis and eliminate the concept of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Dr. Simpson shared his rebuttal New Sepsis Guidelines: A Change We Should Not Make in the journal CHEST. Dr. Simpson’s statement expressed the concern that widespread application of this new SIRS definition could cost patient lives, and it should not be adopted. This AMA was upvoted 784 times.
• Asthma and bronchial thermoplasty with Dr. D. Kyle Hogarth, FCCP, who is a pulmonologist, member of CHEST, and the first physician in Illinois to perform bronchial thermoplasty, a nonpharmaceutical treatment for severe asthma. This AMA was upvoted 3,112 times.
• DVT with Dr. Lisa K. Moores, FCCP, who is a pulmonologist, member of CHEST, and an expert on thrombosis. Dr. Moores discussed VTE, DVT, and PE. This AMA was upvoted 903 times.

Hosting Reddit AMAs has allowed CHEST to not only reach a more public-facing audience but also health-care providers outside of chest medicine. Stepping into this platform has allowed us to position CHEST as a subject matter expert in topics like asthma, sepsis, and DVT/VTE. These AMAs have helped people to understand the role our members play within health-care by showcasing new and emerging treatments and raising public awareness of health conditions.

If you are interested in sharing your knowledge on a specific topic on Reddit, you can contact CHEST’s New Media Specialist Taylor Pecko-Reid, at [email protected].

 

The Board of Regents of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) has finalized the appointment of Stephen J. Welch as Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer for CHEST. Welch had been serving as the interim EVP/CEO since May 2016. Prior to this appointment, he served in a senior staff role at CHEST for 22 years, most recently as Publisher and Senior Vice President of Publications and Digital Content, which includes managing the organization’s flagship scientific journal, CHEST^®.

“We appreciate the exceptional performance of Steve, his senior team, and the entire CHEST staff during this transition in executive leadership. We are excited about the opportunity to work with Steve in his new role going forward, as we begin outlining CHEST’s strategic plan for the next 5 years,” said CHEST President Gerard A. Silvestri, MD, MS, FCCP.

In response to the announcement, Steve remarked, “I am sincerely humbled and honored to have this opportunity and am excited for the future of CHEST, a dynamic, innovative organization that is doing great things, and we will continue our track record of excellent performance.”

 

The Board of Regents of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) has finalized the appointment of Stephen J. Welch as Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer for CHEST. Welch had been serving as the interim EVP/CEO since May 2016. Prior to this appointment, he served in a senior staff role at CHEST for 22 years, most recently as Publisher and Senior Vice President of Publications and Digital Content, which includes managing the organization’s flagship scientific journal, CHEST^®.

“We appreciate the exceptional performance of Steve, his senior team, and the entire CHEST staff during this transition in executive leadership. We are excited about the opportunity to work with Steve in his new role going forward, as we begin outlining CHEST’s strategic plan for the next 5 years,” said CHEST President Gerard A. Silvestri, MD, MS, FCCP.

In response to the announcement, Steve remarked, “I am sincerely humbled and honored to have this opportunity and am excited for the future of CHEST, a dynamic, innovative organization that is doing great things, and we will continue our track record of excellent performance.”

 

The Board of Regents of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) has finalized the appointment of Stephen J. Welch as Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer for CHEST. Welch had been serving as the interim EVP/CEO since May 2016. Prior to this appointment, he served in a senior staff role at CHEST for 22 years, most recently as Publisher and Senior Vice President of Publications and Digital Content, which includes managing the organization’s flagship scientific journal, CHEST^®.

“We appreciate the exceptional performance of Steve, his senior team, and the entire CHEST staff during this transition in executive leadership. We are excited about the opportunity to work with Steve in his new role going forward, as we begin outlining CHEST’s strategic plan for the next 5 years,” said CHEST President Gerard A. Silvestri, MD, MS, FCCP.

In response to the announcement, Steve remarked, “I am sincerely humbled and honored to have this opportunity and am excited for the future of CHEST, a dynamic, innovative organization that is doing great things, and we will continue our track record of excellent performance.”