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INSIDE
2017 Phlebology Review Course set 4 IAC publishes ‘Standards’ review 8 Peripheral Vascular Disease pipeline 12 Who speaks for you in social media? 16 Sigvaris adds to men’s sock line 31
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Vol. 10 No. 1 VEINTHERAPYNEWS.COM
An ACP recognized resource for news and information for and about the phlebology community
Excitement builds for AVF, IVC meetings AVF gathers in Big Easy for Valentine’s Day start
Remembering the past, looking to our future
By Lowell Kabnick, MD, FACS, FAC Ph
By Edward Mackay, MD, RVT, RPVI
Over the last 29 years, the American Venous Forum has led the field of venous and lymphatic disease by providing the highest quality evidence-based knowledge and guidelines, raising awareness of the spectrum of venous and lymphatic disorders, improving the treatment options and care of patients with these diseases and preparing the future of venous health care specialists. The AVF is continually improving the delivery of venous and lymphatic healthcare
Thinking back to the first International Vein Congress (IVC) in 2003 and the excitement enjoyed by many as this new field was exploding before our eyes. The registration had to be closed six weeks prior to the meeting because it reached its capacity of 200 participants, which was more than the venue could handle. Within six months, a second meeting was scheduled and it too filled with a repeat scenario of premature registration closure several weeks prior to the meeting. Due to the
AVF continued on page 30
Lowell Kabnick, MD, is co-director of the IVC and president of the American Vein Forum.
IVC continued on page 28
Collaboration without unification: What will the future hold? By Mel Rosenblatt, MD, FACPh and Neil M. Khilnani, MD For more than a decade, the question of ACP and AVF unification has been discussed among society leaders. While each society developed from a slightly different primordial
soup, our collective evolution has led us to essentially the same place. With such striking similarities it seemed almost illogical to continue along our independent and sometimes competitive path. For when we act individually we are limited by our inherent weaknesses. No matter how gifted one may be, he still cannot brush his teeth and tie his shoes at the same
time. When we act in concert we are able to minimize our weakness. Tasks, impossible for an individual, are easily accomplished collaboratively. By the same token, we each possess unique strengths. When we act in concert, our strengths are amplified and our weakness minimized. These very basic and intuitive concepts are what fueled the most recent
attempt at unification. The two societies went through a very formal process with professional assistance and in the end, the decision was to continue independently with a greater focus on collaboration. DR. ROSENBLATT continued on page 24
LETTER: Dr. Morrison responds to pharmacist regarding webinar criticism Dear Editor: I acknowledge Michael Haulsee, PharmD for his comments which appeared in the December 2016 edition of Vein Therapy News (VTN), regarding the American College of Phlebology (ACP) webinar entitled “Responsible Use of Compounded Sclerosant Agents” that I presented in October 2016 regarding drugs made by compounding pharmacies.
Having read the VTN article by Mr. Haulsee, I admit I was at first surprised and upset about his report of a statement I apparently made that “all pharmacists lie.” I didn’t remember making such an ignorant statement and certainly do not believe it personally. DR.MORRISON continued on page 8
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