Description
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) convened this multi-disciplinary Working Group (WG) to encourage a broad-based discussion about gaps in knowledge of best clinical practices for surgical and endovascular treatment of peripheral vascular disease (PVD). The primary goals were to seek consensus on PVD research priorities and identify research challenges. Experts in vascular surgery, interventional cardiology, interventional radiology, and vascular medicine were invited to participate. Comments were also broadly solicited in advance of the meeting from membership of several professional organizations including the Society for Vascular Surgery, the Society of Interventional Radiology, the Society of Vascular Medicine, the Council on PVD of the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. The NHLBI viewed this WG as a step toward increased collaborative design and conduct of studies that could potentially improve decision-making and outcomes for patients with PVD. The WG addresses NHLBI Strategic Goals 2 & 3.