Please note that even though the conference officially starts on Thursday June 16th, there are pre-conference sessions (that require registration) happening on Wednesday June 15th focusing on RPVI exam preparation, ICAVL accreditation, and hemodialysis scanning.
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The 1st Day of the SVU Annual Conference - Thursday 6/16/11
On behalf of the city of Chicago, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to all the visitors coming this year. A lot of hard work has been put into this year's conference and it's going to be a blast. As for myself the conference is going to be exciting because: 1) it's going to be my first conference visit 2) there's lots of great information 3) I love meeting new people in the profession.
Here's the breakdown of the 1st day:
6:00am-5:30pm
SVU Registration
For all the early birds out there, registration begins as early as 6:00am. Major kudos to all the west coast visitors getting up this early. :)
7:00am-8:15am
Tutorials
There will be some great tutorials happening from 7:00am-8:15am. Each tutorial has its own separate registration and $10 fee. Continental breakfast will be available at each tutorial. Here are the highlights:
Tutorial #1:
How to Prepare an Oral Presentation presented by Rob Daigle, BA RVT FSVU.
Communication is an important, but sometimes overlooked skill in all professions. When it comes to vascular presentations, it's important that the information conveyed is useful, relevant, and easily understood. If you've read any of Mr. Daigle's books, you'd know the information in there is just like that. So come check out this tutorial.
Tutorial #2:
Data Management by Peter M. Richard, BS RVT, MaryBeth Laureto, BS RVT, Laurie Lozanski, BS RVT, and Gail P. Size, BS RVT RVS RCVT FSVU.
How data is managed in a lab is another important function. Come check out this tutorial by some of the top experts in the field.
Tutorial #3:
Taste of RPVI: How to Prepare to Take the RPVI Exam by John Gocke, MD, MPH RVT RPVI, Martin Fogle, MD FACS RPVI, and Frank Miele, MSEE.
If you miss the earlier RPVI pre-conference session (happening on Wednesday), here's another chance to get some exposure to the RPVI exam.
Tutorial #4:
Arterial Testing Algorithms by Marsha Neumyer, BS RVT FSVU.
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SVU Opening Grand Session
8:30am-8:45am
Welcome and Opening Announcements
Paula M. Walsh, MM RVT RDMS RDCS, Annual Conference Program Committee Chair
8:45am-9:00am
Welcome / Meet the Candidates
Debbie Pirt, Chair, Nominations Subcommittee
(SVU Voting Booth open at all times at SVU Registration Desk)
9:00am-10:15am
Invited Speaker Session: Carotid Plaque Characterization: Cutting Edge
1. Overview of IMT and Carotid Plaque Characterization by George Meier, MD
2. Techniques for Carotid IMT by Jean Alessi-Chinetti, BA RVT RDMS
3. Interpretation of IMT by Joseph Polak, MD
4. IV Contrast, Plaque Characterization by Steven Feinstein, MD
5. Plaque Characterization Using MR by Alan Lumsden, MD
6. Panel Discussion by All faculty
Some labs are regularly measuring carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and are using it to help them predict the cardiovascular events of a patient. These labs are in the forefront of trying to find the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness and the presence and severity of atherosclerosis. In fact in one of my clinical internship sites, IMT experts were flown in to teach one of our sonographers how to properly measure a patient's IMT. So why not come to this awesome session to see the latest in IMT research by top vascular clinicians.
IMT studies are still one of those areas of vascular ultrasound that need further studies and patient data. So any further knowledge into this fascinating research is awesome.
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10:45am-12:30pm
D.E. Strandness, MD, Scientific Session
1. Assessment of Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis Using Portable and Conventional Ultrasound Machines: Comparison Study by Mohammed Alsaadi
2. Understanding The Burden For Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound Scanning For Aneurysm Care In A Publicly-Funded Health System: An Analysis Of Census Data by Elisa Greco MD M.Ed
3. Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) Research Study Results: A Vascular Technologist Evaluation of Criteria And Scanning Protocol by Karen Marr, RVT RDMS
4. Pixel Characterization for Development Of Ultrasound-Based Virtual Histology Of Deep Venous Thrombosis by Fabio H Menezes, MD
5. Ultrasound Student Assessment USA by Frank Miele, MSEE
6. Three Dimensional Reconstruction of the Vessel Lumen as an Adjunct to the Cerebrovascular Duplex Evaluation by Francis J. Porreca, MD RPVI
7. Should Carotid Duplex Velocity Thresholds Be Modified For Patients Undergoing Computerized Tomographic (CT) Angiography? by Robert Scissons, BS RVT FSVU
8. The Use of a Mini-Practice Audit Model to Guide Performance-Improvement Continuing Education (PI-CE) in Ultrasound by Elizabeth Wooster M.Ed
Wow...what a great lineup of presenters and an awesome selection of topics. That's what I love about this "young" profession...the learning just never stops. Every day there are labs and vascular clinicians out there doing some amazing stuff. Show some love and attend this awesome session.
As for myself, I'm really excited about the comparison study on ICA stenosis using portable machines. Hmmm...I wonder if an iPad could do a duplex exam someday. Hmmm...
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12:30pm-1:45pm
Lunch
Lunch is my favorite part of the day. There are different lunch options for people at McCormick Place. There is boxed lunch at the Exhibit Hall (for a fee) or people can get lunch on their own. Another great option is Lunch with the Experts where you can multitask by eating and learning at the same time:
Lunch with the Experts:
Strategic Approach to the Abnormal Vascular Examination with S. Wayne Smith, MD, FACP FSVM RVT
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2:00pm-3:30pm
Invited Speaker Session - American College of Phlebology: Ilio-Caval, Pelvic Vein Congestion
1. Introduction: by John Mauriello, MD – ACP President
2. Variations of Saphenous Reflux by Joe Zygmunt, RVT RPhS
3. Duplex Examination of Pelvic Point Leaks by Barbara Poule Shulze, RVT RPhS
4. Pelvic Congestion Syndrome: Treatment Issues by Mark Meissner, MD
5. Duplex for Saphenous Ablation Techniques by Jeannie White, RVT RPhS
6. Nerve Imaging and Saphenous Ablation Issues (Popliteal Entrapment) by John Mauriello, MD
7. Duplex Examination of Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency by Diana Neuhardt, RVT RPhS
8. Q&A Session – All Faculty
What a great lineup of topics for those interested in venous disease. I remember the first time I read copy of Phlebology (which is the the official medical journal of the American College of Phlebology), it made me think about how vast the world of venous disease is in itself.
Come check out some really great presentations on venous disease and treatment issues by some of the top experts in the field.
3:30pm–3:35pm
D.E. Strandness, MD, Scientific Award Presentation
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3:35pm-5:00pm
Current Events and Concepts in Arterial Disease: What Every Technologist Needs to Know by P.A.D. Coalition
1. Nomenclature and Overview of Arterial Devices by Bart Muhs, MD
2. Arterial Mapping and Its Relevance to the Management of Arterial Disease by Marsha Neumyer, BS RVT FSVU FSDMS FAIUM
3. Non-Atherosclerotic Disease Overview and Its Impact on Vascular Studies by Alan Hirsch, MD
4. Professional and Patient Resources: The P.A.D. Coalition by Alan Hirsch, MD
5. Panel Discussion
The Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) Coalition is an alliance of more than 1 million health care providers and 500,000 patient advocates tasked with improving the lives of those with peripheral arterial disease. This alliance is supported by the federal government, professional and public organizations, and industry.
This will be the last, but not least set of presentations for the day. I behoove everyone to show some love and see the latest developments in the fight against P.A.D.
5:30pm-6:30pm
Combined VAM Opening Night Reception in the Exhibit Hall
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And that...is going to be the 1st day of the 2011 SVU Annual Conference. Didn't I say it was going to be packed with good stuff this year?
-Manny