Debates On Best Practices Run Strong At The VEITH Symposium By Members Of The Vascular Community

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 24 Nov 2008 - 7:00 PDT

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Members of the vascular community held many heated debates at this year's VEITHsymposium. One of the many points of debate was whether new studies comparing carotid endarterectomy (CAE) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) should include a third arm, studying the effects of best medical treatment (BMT).

While physicians on either side present data to support their claims, with Dr. Allison Halliday of St. Georges Hospital Medical School and Epsom and St. Helier Hospitals in London as the primary opponent for adding the third arm and Dr. Peter Bell of the University of Leicester and the Leicester Royal Infirmary (UK) and Dr. John Rundbeck of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons arguing strongly for including the third arm, a show-of-hands informal poll taken from the filled ballroom of physicians showed that the majority was in favor of adding the third arm to trials, particularly in light of the successes shown recently in the use of statins as for as a method of treatment for forms of vascular disease.

Another hot-button topic was whether or not CAS could be done safely in patients over the age of 75 or if those patients would be better served with CAE, with Dr. Amor of the University of Medicine of Nancy, France, arguing for it and Dr. Bruce Perler of Johns Hopkins strongly arguing against the use of the procedure in octogenarians. Another informal poll (of the mostly surgeon-filled room) gave Dr. Perler a strong win.

VEITH SYMPOSIUM - New York, November 19th to 23rd

Now in its fourth decade, VEITH SYMPOSIUM provides vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, interventional cardiologists and other vascular specialists with a unique and exciting format to learn the most current information about what is new and important in the treatment of vascular disease. The 5-day event features rapid-fire presentations from world renowned vascular specialists with emphasis on the latest advances, changing concepts in diagnosis and management, pressing controversies and new techniques.

VEITHsymposium is sponsored by Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.

www.veithsymposium.org

Source
Pauline T. Mayer
www.ptmhcm.com