Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease Symposium II
Authors: Mark A. Creager, Christopher J. White, William R. Hiatt, Michael H. Criqui, Shellie C. Josephs, Mark J. Alberts, William H. Pearce, Bruce H. Gray, Krishna J. Rocha-Singh
Journal: Circulation (2008)

ciplinary Working Group was commissioned by the American Heart Association (AHA) to provide a forum to address important and emerging issues in this multidisciplinary area of clinical science.The working group was a primary outgrowth of the AHA Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease Conference held in Boston, Mass, in July 2002.It was created in recognition of the fact that atherosclerosis is a systemic disease with important sequelae in many regional circulations in addition to the heart, including the brain, kidneys, mesentery, and limbs.Its mission is to provide a forum for the multiple disciplines engaged in research, evaluation, and management of patients with noncoronary atherosclerosis.The goals of the Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease Interdisciplinary Working Group are to develop a strategy to increase awareness of atherosclerotic vascular disease, identify important gap areas in knowledge that require further clinical investigation, and develop programs that will facilitate prevention and treatment of peripheral atherosclerotic diseases.Developments in research and technology that are relevant to atherosclerotic vascular disease are emerging rapidly.As a result, greater opportunities to translate science to clinical practice are available.The American College of Cardiology/ AHA practice guidelines for the management of patients with peripheral arterial disease (lower extremity, renal, mesenteric, and abdominal aortic) provide many evidenced-based recommendations for diagnosing and treating patients with atherosclerotic vascular diseases. 1Nevertheless, in some areas, the evidence has not matured sufficiently for definitive guidelines.Some of these areas have engendered considerable controversy among practitioners.Among these are the efficacy and outcome of screening programs for vascular disease and the appropriate and timely use of endovascular interventions.Accordingly, the Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease Interdisciplinary Working Group convened the second AHA conference on Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease, which took place in Boston, Mass, in July 2006.The conference was also sponsored by the AHA Councils on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology; Epidemiology and Prevention; Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention; Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia; Cardiovascular Nursing; Clinical Cardiology; Council for High Blood Pressure Research; Council on the Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease; and Stroke Council.It was cosponsored by the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, the Society of Interventional Radiology, and the Society for Vascular Medicine and Biology.The overall objectives of this conference were as follows: (1) to develop a consensus about the feasibility, importance, and efficacy of screening for atherosclerotic vascular diseases; (2) to provide a state-of-the-art review of contemporary imaging modalities, specifically computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA); (3) to address recent developments and controversies with regard to the appropriate and timely use of interventions in patients with various manifestations of atherosclerotic vascular disease; and (4) to recommend nomenclature for atherosclerotic vascular diseases that could be adapted by clinicians and scientists to facilitate communication.The conference was divided into the following 8 themes that were addressed by individual writing groups: (1) Nomen-The American Heart Association makes every effort to avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of an outside relationship or a personal, professional, or business interest of a member of the writing panel.Specifically, all members of the writing group are required to complete and submit a Disclosure Questionnaire showing all such relationships that might be perceived as real or potential conflicts of interest.