The Venous Institute of Buffalo - News & Events
Dr. Vasquez Publishes Article in Seminars in Vascular Surgery
The current issue of the international publication Seminars in Vascular Surgery is on venous insufficiency. With guest editors Dr. Cynthia Shortell and Dr. Ruth Bush, the edition is titled "Modern management of superficial venous insufficiency: Out with the old, in with the new". Dr. Vasquez has contributed the chapter titled "The importance of uniform venous terminology in reports on varicose veins". It is an interesting combination of the history of venous surgery and the terminology used, along with the importance of establishing a universal language for reporting venous disease and the changes associated with therapy. You can read the chapter here.
Dr. Vasquez Featured in Business First Healthcare 50
Read Dr Vasquez profile for Business First Healthcare 50 here.
Dr. Vasquez Presents Results of Research at Charing Cross Symposium
Dr. Vasquez presented the results of a research project titled "Clinical and Surrogate Outcomes from the New Radiofrequency Catheter: An Experience of 700 Limbs" at the 32nd Annual Charing Cross International Symposium in London in April. He reports that the paper was well received and generated some interesting discussion.
Dr. Vasquez Review Article Published in International Journal
April 15, 2010
Dr. Vasquez review article "Venous Clinical Severity Score and Quality-of-Life Assessment Tools: Application to Vein Practice" has been published in the international journal Phlebolymphology. To read the full article, click on the link. Dr. Vasquez Phlebolymphology Review Article
Dr. Vasquez Presents information about Outcome Measures
Venous Institute Staff Win Sigvaris Awards!
Venous Institute staffers Nicole Grega and Cary Munschauer were recently announced as Sigvaris 2009 STEP UP program winners. Nicole and Cary participated in a year long educational program with Sigvaris that involved learning the underlying conditions that benefit from medical compression therapy, as well as features and specific product information for medical compression hosiery. Congratulations to Nicole and Cary on their new knowledge and program success!
New Research Project at The Venous Institute- and You Can Be Part of it!
June 14, 2010
The Use of Varisolve in Treating Reflux of the Great Saphenous Vein
This study involves treating great saphenous vein reflux with medication to determine if this is a satisfactory method of achieving vein closure and elimination of reflux.
Varisolve is coming soon! If you are interested in more information about this study, please email our research coordinator Cary at Research@VenousInstitute.com
Dr. Vasquez Speaks at Alma Mater
This past December Dr. Vasquez was invited to speak at The Second Annual Venous Disease Update and Symposium at Duke University. He gave two papers, "Venous Terminology:The Importance of Uniform Reporting Standards, Coaxing Order from Chaos" and "Adjunct Procedures Following Radiofrequency Ablation of the Saphenous Vein: Incidence and Timing".
Dr. Vasquez has a Busy Fall and Winter Speaking at National and International Meetings
March 5, 2010
Dr. Vasquez continued to lecture on his clinical experience and his support of outcome assessment measures at three meetings this past Fall and WInter. In September he presented two papers at the XVI World Meeting of the Union Internationale De Phlebologie in Monaco. He spoke on "Our obligation to follow clinical outcome in venous disease" and also gave an update on the revisions underway for the Venous Severity Scoring System. In November he spoke at The American College of Phlebology Meeting in Palm Desert, California, with a clinical paper on "Adjunct procedures following radiofrequency ablation of the saphenous vein: Incidence and timing" as well as a theoretical paper titled "Outcome measures:Important for research? Which measures?" He also gave a mid term update on our current ACP Research in Practice Grant Winning project "Use of the SQOR-V (Specific Quality of Life and Outcome Response-Venous) Instrument in Assessing the Relationship of Outcome Measures". In February he presented two papers at The American Venous Forum meeting in Amelia Island, Florida. The first was an update on the completed revisions of the Venous Clinical Severity Score, while the second talk focused on the treatment of perforator veins.
A Busy Spring for the Staff at Venous Institute of Buffalo!
June 19, 2009
The last 2 months have been busy for some of our staff- besides presenting at the Charing Cross Symposium in London in April, Dr. Vasquez provided the organizational leadership for the 14th annual Scott Tulman Lectureship on May 28. The speaker was Dr. Anthony Comerota of the Jobst Vascular Center. Dr. Comerota's talk was "Current Management of Iliofemoral DVT: A Changing Paradigm". Dr. Vasquez then went to the Society of Vascular Surgery (SVS) annual meeting in Denver, where he presented on outcome assessment in venous surgery. In August he will travel to Monaco to give several presentations at the 16th World Meeting of the International Union of Phlebology.
Glenn Buczkowski is just back after presenting at the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) annual meeting in San Diego. This is the second year Glenn has presented at his association's national meeting. This year his topic was Venous Thromboembolism. Click here to see Glenn's slide presentation. Following this presentation, he was asked to contribute an article to the journal Clinical Advisor. Glenn has been endorsed by the Venous Disease Coalition (VDC) to speak at next year's AAPA meeting on the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis. In July, he will go to Hilton Head SC to address the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants.
Dr. Vasquez Debates Noted Physician at International Meeting
April 13, 2009
Dr. Vasquez has just returned from the 31st International Charing Cross Symposium in London, where he participated in a debate on outcome measures. His opponent was prominent French Phlebologist Dr. Jean Jerome Guex, a proponent of patient-focused outcome surveys. Dr. Vasquez argued that a more global outcome instrument that considers both patient and physician assessments is necessary to obtain full information about the outcome of therapy. After a spirited debate, Dr. Vasquez was declared the winner, 55-45.
Glenn Buczkowski Published in Clinician Reviews Journal
April 13, 2009
Venous Institute Physician Assistant Glenn Buczkowski has published an article in the journal Clinician Reviews entitled Chronic Venous Insufficieny. The article was co-authored by Dr. Vasquez and research assistant Cary Munschauer. Glenn was invited to write on this very timely and important topic.
Read the article here. Glenn Buczkowski Clinician Reviews article
Dr. Vasquez Participates in Online Chat for The Vascular Disease Foundation
March 6, 2009
On March 3, 2009 Dr. Vasquez participated in an "Ask the Doctor" live online chat sponsored by the Vascular Disease Foundation. Dr. Vasquez answered email questions about deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and venous problems.
Read the full transcript of Dr. Vasquez online chat here. Vascular Disease Foundation Ask the Doctor chat
Dr. Vasquez Featured in Buffalo Physician Magazine
November 17, 2008
Dr. Vasquez is featured in this months' Buffalo Physician magazine, discussing some of his clinical interests and his outlook on treating patients with venous disease.
Read the article here: Dr. Vasquez Buffalo Physician interview
Published with permission from Buffalo Physician magazine, University at
Acting Surgeon General Issues Call to Action to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism
Source: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/news/pressreleases/pr20080915.html
Monday, September 15, 2008
Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson. M.D., M.P.H., today issued a Call to Action to reduce the number of cases of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in the United States.
Galson urged all Americans to learn about and prevent these treatable conditions.
Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism affect an estimated 350,000 to 600,000 Americans each year, and the numbers are expected to increase as the US population ages. Together, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism contribute to at least 100,000 deaths each year.
Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot in a deep vein, most commonly in the lower leg or thigh. The clot can block blood flow and cause pain, swelling, and skin discoloration.
In the most serious cases, deep vein thrombosis can lead to a pulmonary embolism- when part of the blood clot breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs, where it can block a lung artery, causing damage to the lungs or other organs from lack of oxygen.
"Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms are often 'silent' conditions- they can occur suddenly and without symptoms," Galson said. "But we have made a lot of progress in understanding how these disorders develop and how to prevent, diagnose, and treat them. It's time to put this knowledge into action."
Researchers have found that in most cases, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism develop in people who have an inherited blood clotting disorder or other risk factor, and who experience a triggering event.
"Being hospitalized or confined to bed rest, having major surgery, suffering a trauma, or traveling for several hours can increase a person's risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism," Galson said. "We want to increase the awareness and knowledge of these potentially deadly conditions and encourage patients and health care providers to take steps to prevent them."
The Call to Action urges a coordinated, multifaceted plan to reduce the numbers of cases of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism nationwide. The plan emphasizes the need for:
- Increased awareness about deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
- Evidence-based practices for deep vein thrombosis.
- More research on the causes, prevention, and treatment of deep vein thrombosis.
The Call to Action resulted from a Surgeon General's Workshop on Deep Vein Thrombosis which was convened in May 2006. The workshop was co-sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health.
"Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are major public health problems, and NHLBI is committed to continuing to support important basic and clinical research to advance our understanding of these disabling and potentially fatal conditions," NHLBI Director Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D., noted. "Research is shedding light on genetic factors and the role of triggering events, behaviors, and conditions that increase the risk of developing dangerous blood clots. It is imperative that clinicians and public health experts work together to translate this scientific evidence to save lives."
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) contributed to the Call for Action with the release of two new guides- one for patients and another for health care providers- on how to prevent dangerous blood clots. "Fighting deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is a team effort that involves health care providers and patients," said AHRQ Director Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D.
The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism 2008, is available at http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/index.html. To order, contact the NHLBI Health Information Center at 301-592-8573 or at NHLBIInfo@nhlbi.nih.gov.
