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News A Monthly Communiqué for the Vascular Society of New Jersey - October 2003 |
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NOTE TO MEMBERS: Effective November 1, 2003, VSNJ is moving . . . closer to the Statehouse just down the street.
Please note new address: Same phone: 609-392-7553 Same fax: 609-392-2664 Same email: blynch@blynchassociates.com Same website: www.vascularsocietynj.org From the President….Rocco Ciocca, MD As vascular surgeons, we face many challenges. The practice of vascular surgery is at times daunting. Dealing with the ravages of atherosclerotic disease is fraught with difficulties. When one adds the extrinsic pressures of managed care, mal-practice issues and decreased Medicare reimbursement to an already stressful job the typical vascular surgeon may feel isolated and forlorn. Added to our concerns is the fact that several other specialties are encroaching upon our livelihood (cardiology, interventional radiology, and vascular medical specialists). Those concerns have been further enforced by the recent release of several studies describing the efficacy of carotid artery stenting. Cursory review of these studies implies that carotid artery stenting is as safe or safer than carotid endarterctomy. We at the Vascular Society of New Jersey are beginning a campaign to help clarify this issue for both the health care professionals who serve as our referral base and the public. While we must acknowledge that carotid artery stenting is innovative and will play a significant role in the management of carotid artery disease in the future everyone must understand that it is premature to recommend its preferential use over conventional surgery. We have communicated with the AAVS and ESV on the issue (see enclosed letter to the AAVS; similar letter sent to ESV) – and prepared an OPEN LETTER TO OUR PATIENTS, for members to copy onto your letterhead and leave in your waiting room. The Society will also work diligently with our regional and national vascular societies to insure that our members have access to the training necessary to employ this new technology. We must be inclusive rather than exclusive regarding this issue. I hope that the actions taken by the Vascular Society of NJ will serve yet another example of how membership has significant value. We strongly encourage active members to participate in our Society and to encourage non-member colleagues to join. Collectively we can greatly improve the quality of vascular intervention in our state. PS. I hope to see as many of you as possible at our 25th Anniversary Celebration on November 15th. 
Mark your Calendar! Wednesday, March 17, 2003 Spring Vascular Meeting RWJ Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ
To save important resources (time and money), we are building an email address list of members. The monthly report, and other important communications, can then be easily and efficiently emailed to the organization. Please provide your name and email address. |