Vascular Surgeon/Surgery Fact Sheet

Why is vascular health newsworthy?

• There are expected to be considerably more cases. Vascular disease primarily affects seniors, and as the U.S. population rates for seniors increases with aging baby boomers, the potential for vascular disease increases. In 2005, the U.S. Census reported there were more than 67 million people aged 55 and older. It anticipates that number to rise to more than 87 million in 2015. With this increase in potential vascular disease cases, knowledge of all treatments will become even more critical to your senior readership and their families.
• Peripheral arterial disease affects more than 8 million people in the U.S., especially those over 50, African Americans, and Hispanics. In advanced cases, when the diagnosis is made late, amputation may be necessary, particularly among diabetics.
• Nearly 200,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) annually, and approximately 10,000 die each year from a ruptured AAA. 
• Vascular disease can block the carotid arteries to the brain and cause paralyzing strokes. Stroke remains the third leading cause of death in the U. S. with nearly 157,000 people dying annually. A large proportion of strokes are caused by plaque in the carotid arteries. In 2006 it was estimated that Americans would pay about $57.9 billion for stroke-related medical costs and disability.

Who is a vascular surgeon?

At Surgical Associates of Columbus, Dr. Brennaman is the specialist. Vascular surgeons treat the all veins and arteries making up the entire vascular system, except the cranium and the heart. Today’s vascular surgeons are the only medical discipline trained to care for patients using every vascular treatment available including noninvasive diagnostic tests, medical treatments, minimally invasive procedures, and open surgeries when necessary. This expertise uniquely qualifies vascular surgeons to make the most accurate diagnosis and prescribe the best treatment for the best outcome. Some other disciplines perform less invasive treatments, but cannot perform surgery. Others are skilled with one organ, but they are not specialists in the entire vascular system.

In addition to this clinical expertise, SVS members advocate for vascular health in other areas.

• Many are leaders who have developed unprecedented advancements through research. 
• Others head vascular departments at medical colleges. 
• Some work with legislators to make vascular healthcare available to all. An example of a legislative success is the passage of the Screening Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Very Efficiently Act (SAAAVE) providing a free AAA screening for qualifying Medicare beneficiaries.

What is the SVS?

The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) is an organization of 2,400 vascular surgeons who specialize in vascular health. Founded in 1947, the SVS provides continuing medical education for vascular surgeons and advocates nationally on behalf of vascular patients. The SVS’ charitable foundation, the American Vascular Association, promotes vascular disease research and supports career development for young vascular researchers.

How can media stay informed and contact a vascular surgeon?

• Press releases are distributed via email reporting the most recent research, breaking political news, and general vascular health information.
• The SVS website, VascularWeb.org, offers comprehensive media news and a wealth of information on vascular disease including disease descriptions and treatments in the patient section. 
• SVS membership meets annually at the 2008 Vascular Annual Meeting (June 5 – 8 in San Diego) where selected members present groundbreaking research and studies. The media is invited to attend the meeting. A meeting of the World Federation of Vascular Societies proceeds the conference on June 4. 

For expert comments and interviews from vascular surgeons contact Jill Goodwin, director of communications, SVS, 312-334-2308 or email communications@vascularsociety.org.