In the News

VDF Endorses PAD Guidelines
VDF proudly endorses and enthusiastically supports the recently released ACC/AHA Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (Lower Extremity, Renal, Mesenteric, and Abdominal Aortic). The Guidelines, a long-awaited collaborative effort of many vascular specialties which was spearheaded by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, were released on December 9, 2005. With more than 12 million people affected by PAD (and related diseases) this document will dramatically impact the diagnosis of this common, yet under-treated disease. The guidelines will help health care providers more easily recognize, diagnose, and treat PAD and its associated health risks, such as critical limb ischemia, renal arterial diseases, and abdominal aneurysms. A Web cast was held in conjunction with the release of the Guidelines. You can listen to a panel of experts in a discussion of the New Peripheral Arterial Disease Guidelines: Management of Patients with Lower-Extremity PAD. VDF's former president, Dr. Alan Hirsch, along with Dr. Elliott Antman, lead Guidelines writing committee members, including Drs. Mark Creager, David Sacks, John White, and Ken Rosenfield, in a discussion on risk factor awareness, diagnostic fundamentals, and treatment recommendations for this disease. If you would like to view the Web cast, visit www.PADcoalition.org and click on the link.

SAAAVE Act
The U.S. Senate passed coverage for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening in early November! Thanks to all who wrote to their senators, we are well on the way to getting national Medicare coverage for a one-time screening for AAA, a preventable condition that claims the lives of about 15,000 Americans each year. The elements of the SAAAVE Act were incorporated into an amendment to the reconciliation bill. The House of Representatives is considering the provisions of the SAAAVE Act as Keeping In Circulation goes to press. If passed, the Medicare coverage will begin in 2007.

The National Screening Program in Venous Disease
During November and December, the American Venous Forum, in partnership with the American Vascular Association, conducted the first-ever National Screening Program in Venous Disease. After months in development, 30 sites, hospitals, or stand-alone medical clinics participated. Approximately 600 patients will complete the screening process that consists of DVT risk assessment, screening duplex for valvular reflux, and leg inspection for chronic venous insufficiency by the end of 2005. "Report cards" were given to each person to share with his or her doctor. The preliminary findings indicate that over one-half of the patients screened required follow-up with their primary care physicians. In 2006, the American Venous Forum anticipates that the screening program will grow to over 50 sites. The first community program is being planned in Miami in February. The American Venous Forum is proud of its support of and partnership with the VDF. For further information about venous disease, compression therapy, and/or screening programs in your area, please visit www.venous-info.com.