In Stepping Into the Future of Care for Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) With the 2024 Guidelines, learn the latest on the diagnosis and management of PAD from experts in the field! It's just one of more than a thousand presentations from ACC.25, including inspiring keynotes, cutting-edge late-breaking clinical trials, thought-provoking panels and more. ACC.25 attendees with full three-day conference professional registration receive a FREE one-year subscription to ACC Anywhere – login to activate your account. Didn't attend ACC.25? Enjoy a free preview and subscribe to watch the full video, plus thousands more from ACC's top meetings!

Learn best practices and emerging science across practice-changing topics in care, including cardiac arrhythmias, cardiovascular disease prevention, heart failure and cardiomyopathies and vascular diseases with ACC's updated clinical spotlight series. Join leading experts in the field for a series of on-demand, interactive clinical spotlight sessions from ACC.25, including:

• Factor XIs: Are They the Knockout Round in Next Phase Antithrombotic Therapies?;
• In the Hot Seat: Experts Weigh In on Weight Management;
• Mastering AFib Monitoring and Ablation: Advanced Cases and Practical Insights; and
• The Amyloid Files: Cracking the Case – Evolving Strategies in Cardiac Amyloidosis.

Complete all four activities and earn up to 5.25 CME/CNE/CPE/AAPA/MOC/IPCE credits! Start the series.

Save your spot and be part of an unforgettable Paris evening at the JACC Journal Reception on May 21 during EuroPCR 2025. Enjoy refreshments while connecting with leading voices in cardiovascular medicine...

Join Vivek Kulkarni, MD, FACC, on Friday, March 28 from 1-5 p.m. CT, for a pre-conference workshop designed for navigating the world of research and evidence-based guidelines – with special focus on the TAVR-Unload Trial and 2020 ACC/AHA Valve Disease Guideline. Practice applying JACC articles and clinical guidelines to a real-world case, with guidance from expert coaches in the field, including Sandra M. Oliver-McNeil, DNP, ACNP-BC, FACC; Erica Spatz, MD, FACC; and Muthiah Vaduganathan, MD. Register today for ACC.25, taking place March 29-31 in Chicago, and add the JACC Workshop to your registration. Already registered? Login to your attendee dashboard to add the workshop to your registration.

JACC: Case Reports is calling for submissions for a special issue on Multi-Valve Disease. In partnership with the Heart Valve Collaboratory, the issue will feature work alongside expert editorials offering contemporary insights into Multi-Valve Disease management, treatment strategies and future directions. Submit your science by April 1. Learn more.

The JACC Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Interactive Tool helps clinicians put key takeaways from the 2024 ACC/American Heart Association/Multisociety Guideline For the Management of Lower Extremity PAD into practice, emphasizing how PAD-related risk amplifiers do not fully explain the association of poor outcomes. The five-minute interactive tool provides tips and knowledge checks to support discussions between patients and clinicians and addresses the role of social determinants of health and their influence on access to care. Check out the interactive tool.

At ACC.25, taking place March 29-31, in Chicago, IL, the Vascular Diseases Learning Pathway will offer attendees cutting-edge insights, practical knowledge and expert-led sessions on critical topics in contemporary vascular care. Then, take a deep dive into foundational concepts and cutting-edge advances in pulmonary hypertension, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure management with the Pulmonary Vascular Disease Learning Pathway. Register here!

There's still time to join your colleagues at the Valentin Fuster Cardiovascular Symposium, taking place Dec. 6-8 in Washington, DC. Explore sessions covering the latest in valvular disease such as:

• Evolving Strategies of Antithrombotic Therapy in Five Stages of CAD: ACS Post PCI 1, 6 and 12 Months, Chronic CAD, Post MI LV Dysfunction;
• Evolving Advances in Diagnosis and Management of Cerebrovascular Disease: Carotid Disease, Ischemic Stroke and Hemorrhagic Stroke; and
• Evolution in the Management of Stable Coronary MVD: CABG, PCI, CABG vs PCI, OMT vs CABG/PCI.

Gain insights from world-renowned experts and connect with leaders in cardiovascular care – register today before it's too late!

Join your colleagues at ACC.25, taking place March 29-31, 2025, in Chicago, IL, and get the knowledge you need to transform cardiovascular care for all! You'll have the opportunity to discuss the latest science with top experts, learn how clinical guidelines translate into your daily practice, and build lasting connections with your peers. Register by Nov. 20 to SAVE up to $300 with early bird discounts and get all-inclusive access to ACC.25!

Transform the future of patient care by sharing your late-breaking clinical trial (LBCT) research with the global cardiovascular community at ACC.25, taking place March 29-31, 2025, in Chicago, IL.

The ACC is currently accepting submissions of abstracts, complex clinical cases and interventional challenging cases to be presented at ACC.25, taking place March 29-31, 2025, in Chicago, IL. Submit your research for a chance to transform the future of cardiovascular care by sharing your research with over 12,000 attendees from more than 130 countries. The deadline for all submissions is 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Don't miss your chance to be part of ACC.25 — submit your abstract or case today!

Join ACC's Health Equity Task Force, Vascular Disease Member Section, and Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion team on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. ET for the next installment of the ACC Health Equity Webinar Series...

Check out the first issue of JACC: Case Reports under Editor-in-Chief Gilbert H. L. Tang, MD, MSc, MBA, FACC, and his new editorial board. The issue contains a powerful viewpoint by Michael J. Daly, MA, MD, PhD, FACC, discussing his own doctor-as-patient story and his journey toward improved empathy. Plus, don't miss clinical cases and vignettes on micturition hypertension in an adolescent, acute coronary syndrome in a nine-year-old with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and more. Check out the full issue.

Join ACC's Vascular Disease and Imaging Member Sections on May 14 at 6 p.m. ET for a live discussion that will highlight the 2022 ACC/American Heart Association guideline for the diagnosis and management of aortic disease. Reserve your place here.

Network with vascular specialists, meet Section leadership, share your ideas and enjoy refreshments at the Vascular Disease Section Meet & Greet at ACC.24. Don't miss this opportunity to learn, connect and grow alongside your peers! The event will take place on Saturday, April 6 at 3:15 p.m. ET in the ACC Member Lounge, Lounge & Learn Pavilion. Reserve your spot today.

Join your colleagues in Atlanta, April 6-8, for ACC.24 and explore the Vascular Medicine Learning Pathway for an overview of core knowledge in vascular medicine, as well as the latest clinical trial data. Join in as experts review and debate emerging therapies in vascular disease, including renal denervation, transfemoral versus transcarotid artery revascularization for carotid artery stenting, and more.Register by March 6 to SAVE and learn more about all ACC.24 has to offer!

This article featured in Cardiology Magazine discusses the unmet need for training in endovascular medicine and interventional training. A combined endovascular medicine and interventional fellowship is a subspeciality training program that is most commonly pursued following interventional cardiology training.

Batool Abuhalimeh, MD; Leili Behrooz, MD, MPH; Adithya Peruri, MD, et al., explain why vascular medicine is an "interesting and challenging subspecialty," and encourage those interested to apply for vascular medicine fellowship.

A recent JACC article, “Integrating Psychosocial Care in the Management of Patients with Vascular Disease,” by Kim G. Smolderen, PhD, FACC, member of ACC’s Vascular Disease Section Leadership Council, et al., provides a call to action to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote integrated care approaches, along with policy and advocacy efforts, to tackle the co-existing mental health burden as part of the treatment of PAD.

Join your colleagues at ACC.23 Together With WCC for a comprehensive overview of core topics and novel therapies in vascular disease.

Learn how to select the best anticoagulant treatment strategies for the management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and determine optimal evidence-based therapy with ACC’s free online course, Practical Management of VTE: Simplifying Anticoagulation Strategies.

September is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Awareness Month! PAD affects about 10 million Americans. Despite its severe consequences and prognostic importance, PAD continues to be underrecognized and undertreated, with significant racial, socioeconomic and geographic disparities.

Learn to identify signs and symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and develop a treatment plan including guideline-directed medical therapy with the Peripheral Artery Disease: Optimizing Treatment Strategies online course.

Learn to identify signs and symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and develop a treatment plan including guideline-directed medical therapy with the Peripheral Artery Disease: Optimizing Treatment Strategies online course.

ACC’s Vascular Disease Section is partnering with the Society for Vascular Medicine for a case-based webinar on Monday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. ET.

Learn to identify signs and symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and develop a treatment plan including guideline-directed medical therapy with ACC’s free online course, PAD: Optimizing Treatment Strategies.

In the next ACC/SCAI Cath Case Discussion webinar on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. ET, we’ll tackle MI With Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA).

The first issue of JACC: Heart Failure under new Editor-in-Chief Biykem Bozkurt, MD, PhD, FACC, and the new editorial board is now live.

Learn to identify signs and symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and develop a treatment plan including guideline-directed medical therapy with the Peripheral Artery Disease: Optimizing Treatment Strategies online course

Join the ACC Vascular Disease Section & Society for Vascular Medicine for two upcoming webinars on vascular hot topics!

The Practical Management of VTE: Simplifying Anticoagulation Strategies online course will guide you in selecting the best anticoagulant treatment strategies for management of VTE and determining the optimal evidence-based therapy.

In the fourth and final article of a series on building a successful structural heart program, Sandeep Krishnan, MD, RPVI, FACC, writes about establishing a referral network. “When designing the structural heart program at my center, I relied on my prior experience as a referring physician and the updates I appreciated about my patients,” he writes.

Select the best anticoagulant treatment for the initial management of acute VTE, determine the optimal evidence-based prophylaxis anticoagulant therapy and identify comorbidities that influence treatment strategies with the Practical Management of VTE: Simplifying Anticoagulation Strategies online course.

Learn to identify signs and symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease and develop a treatment plan including guideline-directed medical therapy with the Peripheral Artery Disease: Optimizing Treatment Strategies online course.

In the March issue of Cardiology magazine, David E. Kandzari, MD, FACC writes about the potential of renal denervation (RDN) as treatment for hypertension alongside pharmaceutical therapies and lifestyle interventions.

The ACC Interventional, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Early Career, and Fellows-in-Training Sections have partnered with SCAI to host a monthly Cath Discussion focusing on hot topics.

The ACC Interventional, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Early Career, and Fellows-in-Training Sections have partnered with SCAI to host a monthly Cath Discussion focusing on hot topics.

The PVD Section has partnered with the Society for Vascular Medicine to host a monthly webinar series focusing on vascular hot topics. Join us in February as we discuss vascular medicine training.

Join the Peripheral Vascular Disease Section on Jan. 20, 2022 at 7 p.m. ET for the next webinar in their monthly series discussing vascular hot topics, hosted in partnership with the Society for Vascular Medicine.

ACC's Peripheral Vascular Disease Section is partnering with the Society for Vascular Medicine (SVM) on a new monthly webinar series focused on vascular hot topics.

Celebrate #PADAwareness month with a live webinar on Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. ET, hosted by ACC's Peripheral Vascular Disease Section!

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects more than 8 million Americans and many people don't know they have it.

Improve your knowledge in the field of adult clinical cardiology with ACCSAP. This self-assessment program offers 160 CME/MOC credits and includes over 600 case-based practice questions, 130 modules of text and 50 video presentations from the ACC Cardiovascular Overview and Board Prep course.

Have thoughts about the Late Breaking Clinical Trials and Hot Topics? We want to hear them!

A new advanced training statement from the ACC, American Heart Association, Society of Vascular Medicine and American College of Physicians defines core competencies required of Level III vascular medicine specialists.

Gregory Piazza, MD, MS, FACC, and Marc P. Bonaca, MD, MPH, FACC, write on behalf of the ACC and the Peripheral Vascular Disease Section, “we are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear colleague, William R. Hiatt, MD. His death represents a profound loss of one of the pillars of the field of clinical vascular medicine and cardiovascular research, as well as a dedicated mentor to so many … We can honor his legacy by living by the code he lived by, the Code of the West.” 

Lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the third leading cause of atherosclerotic vascular morbidity after coronary heart disease and stroke. In this recent Cardiology article, Sanjay Divakaran, MD, and Marc P. Bonaca, MD, MPH, FACC, explain how supervised exercise therapy is a data-supported and guideline-recommend treatment for patients with intermittent claudication from PAD.

Join the ACC in recognizing PAD Awareness Month. The PAD Condition Center located on CardioSmart's new website provides information for patients to better understand their condition, resources to find support, questions to ask their physicians and more.

Addressing the COVID-19 pandemic requires a coordinated plan that balances quality patient care with the safety of health care workers, all while maintaining consistent access to care for patients with and without COVID-19.

In a recent Cardiology article, Ramya C. Mosarla, MD, and Eric A. Secemsky, MD, MSc, FACC, explain how intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) provides a valuable intra-luminal perspective for both arterial and venous interventions.

The ACC and Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) announced that ACC's PVI Registry will collaborate with the SVS Vascular Quality Initiative to support and steer a single vascular registry.

The ACC is seeking comments on a draft of the 2020 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway for Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation or Venous Thromboembolism Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease.

Meet with ACC Interventional and PVD Section members and hear updates on each Section's accomplishments and future endeavors at the joint Interventional and PVD Section Meeting, taking place March 29 at 6 p.m. CT at the Marriott Marquis Chicago, at ACC.20/Together With World Congress of Cardiology (ACC.20/WCC).

Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains the third leading cause of cardiovascular death. Although major advances in care have been made for myocardial infarction and stroke, PE has yet to experience its clinical renaissance.

There are a lot of big ways to get involved with the College – being on a Section Leadership Council, participating on a taskforce or committee, or serving as faculty for a live course, to name a few. However, we know that not everyone has the time for some of these larger-scale commitments. That's why the ACC is excited to announce the launch of our Microvolunteering Platform.

Applications are now being accepted for the ACC Leadership Academy Cohort IV, which will launch at ACC.20/World Congress of Cardiology in Chicago, IL.

This year's European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2019 in Paris had plenty of late-breaking science and updates for interventional cardiologists.

Join world-renowned cardiologist and course director Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC, at ACC's New York Cardiovascular Symposium, taking place Dec. 6 – 8.

Join the ACC in recognizing PAD Awareness Month. CardioSmart's PAD Condition Center provides information for patients to better understand their condition, resources to find support, questions to ask their physicians, and more.

Join vascular cardiologists Gregory Piazza, MD, FACC, and Herbert D. Aronow, MD, MPH, FACC, for a webinar, Sept. 9 at 3 p.m. ET, on their experience with vascular teams and vision for vascular teams moving forward.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified health care providers about a potential late mortality signal in patients treated for peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the femoropopliteal artery with paclitaxel-coated balloons and paclitaxel-eluting stents.

Join your colleagues for the highly interactive and unique Heart Valve Summit: Medical, Surgical and Interventional Decision Making, taking place Oct. 3 – 5 in Chicago, IL.

Cardiology is the ACC's flagship member magazine — your member magazine — providing cardiovascular professionals with a comprehensive source for clinical and professional news. Find links to all of the July issue's articles and share on social media!

Check out the ACC.19 Meeting Coverage Page for post-meeting content on valvular heart disease (VHD) to reinforce the teaching points and education presented during ACC.19.

The ACC has made a select number of travel awards available to cover expenses for members to travel to ACC's 2019 Legislative Conference, Nov. 3 – 5, in Washington, DC.

Get a unique perspective on ACC.19 by following this year's Learning Pathway Tweeters.

Join the ACC in recognizing National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day on Feb. 22 as part of American Heart Month.

Join us at the ACC.19 All-Section Reception, March 17, from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, Grand Ballroom A.

Join us at ACC.19 for the Peripheral Vascular Disease Section Meeting, taking place Sunday, March 17, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. CT.

Take advantage of free, online certified educational activities to fulfill your 2018 CME requirements and earn MOC credit at the same time!

In the latest issues of Cardiology, deep-dive into the emerging risk factors of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.

In this deep-dive video discussion, Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC; Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC; Anne B. Curtis, MD, FACC; Peter Libby, MD, FACC; and Marc Ruel, MD, MPH, share their perspectives on the most significant science released during AHA.18.

Enhance your knowledge on peripheral artery disease (PAD) and earn CME credit/MOC points with two recent Certified Patient Cases on ACC.org.

The September 2018 issue of Cardiology, YOUR member magazine, is now live! Cardiology provides cardiovascular professionals with comprehensive clinical, professional and health policy news; feature-length articles on the top trends and innovations in cardiovascular medicine; expert commentary from leaders in the cardiovascular field; quick-read summaries of the latest research from the JACC Journals and other major cardiovascular journals; profiles of ACC members, like you; and so much more!

ACC.19 registration is NOW OPEN exclusively for ACC members. Nonmember registration will open Wednesday, Sept. 26. Register early for the lowest rates and best selection of hotel rooms!

Gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) bleeding are powerful predictors of new cancer diagnosis in patients with vascular disease, based on findings from the COMPASS Trial presented Aug. 26 at ESC Congress 2018.

A series of eight state-of-the-art reviews is now publishing in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). One review is publishing each week, examining the top risk factors affecting the cardiovascular health of patients: diet, tobacco, lipid control/cholesterol, blood pressure, psychological health, weight, physical activity and blood sugar.

The August 2018 issue of Cardiology, YOUR member magazine, is now live! Cardiology provides cardiovascular professionals with comprehensive clinical, professional and health policy news; feature-length articles on the top trends and innovations in cardiovascular medicine; expert commentary from leaders in the cardiovascular field; quick-read summaries of the latest research from the JACC Journals and other major cardiovascular journals; profiles of ACC members, like you; and so much more!

Join us in Orlando on Sunday, March 11, from 5:00 – 6:15 p.m. ET, for an unrivaled networking opportunity at ACC.18. The PVD Section Meeting is an opportunity to connect with colleagues in your specialty and interact with Section leaders.

In the latest ACC Cardiology Hour, Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC, is joined by Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, FACC; Rachel J. Lampert, MD, FACC; Prediman K. Shah, MD, MACC; and Chadwick W. Stouffer, MD, in a roundtable discussion of the hottest trials from AHA 2017 in Anaheim, CA. Among the trials discussed are DACAB, CANVAS, EXSCEL, POISE-2 and more.

In conjunction with the ACC Committee Nominations cycle, the College’s Membership Committee is now accepting applications through Sept. 22. The Membership Committee was established as part of the 2015 College’s governance transformation and serves as standing committee of the College, reporting directly to the Board of Trustees.

The August 2017 issue of Cardiology, ACC’s flagship member magazine, is now live! Cardiology provides cardiovascular professionals with comprehensive clinical, professional and health policy news; feature-length articles on the top trends and innovations in cardiovascular medicine; expert commentary from leaders in the cardiovascular field; quick-read summaries of the latest research from the JACC Journals and other major cardiovascular journals; profiles of ACC members, like you; and so much more!

The July 2017 issue of Cardiology, ACC’s flagship member magazine, is now live! Cardiology provides cardiovascular professionals with comprehensive clinical, professional and health policy news; feature-length articles on the top trends and innovations in cardiovascular medicine; expert commentary from leaders in the cardiovascular field; quick-read summaries of the latest research from the JACC Journals and other major cardiovascular journals; profiles of ACC members, like you; and so much more!

The ACC is seeking qualified candidates to serve as vice chair of the Annual Scientific Session for a two-year term of office for ACC.19 and ACC.20, moving on to assume another two-year term as chair of ACC.21 and ACC.22.

The June 2017 issue of Cardiology, ACC’s flagship member magazine, is now live! Cardiology provides cardiovascular professionals with comprehensive clinical, professional and health policy news; feature-length articles on the top trends and innovations in cardiovascular medicine; expert commentary from leaders in the cardiovascular field; quick-read summaries of the latest research from the JACC Journals and other major cardiovascular journals; profiles of ACC members, like you; and so much more!

On behalf of the ACC and the Peripheral Vascular Disease Section, we are deeply saddened to announce the sudden and unexpected passing of our dear colleague, Dr. Alan T. Hirsch.

Watch the new ACC Cardiology Hour, an expert roundtable discussion of late-breaking clinical trials from ACC.17.

Attending ACC.17? Join us for the All-Section Meeting & Reception at ACC.17! The event happening THIS Saturday, March 18, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis will give you a chance to learn more about what ACC's 19+ Member Sections are working to accomplish and to connect with members in your specialty or interest areas.

There's still time to register for this Saturday's Peripheral Vascular Disease Section Meeting at ACC.17. We'll be meeting at the Marriott Marquis hotel from 5:15 – 6:00 p.m. and discussing recent Section successes and goals for the coming year. Network with your peers, engage with Section leadership and discover how you can get more involved. RSVP now!

Join us at the Washington Marriott Marquis on Saturday, March 18 from 5:15 – 6:00 p.m. for the Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Section Meeting at ACC.17! Connect with your professional network and learn more about how the Section is advancing the priorities of the PVD community. Confirm your participation today. We hope to see you there!

Save the Date for the All-Section Meeting & Reception at ACC.17! Happening on Saturday, March 18, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis, this event will give you a chance to learn more about what ACC’s 19+ Member Sections. Submit your RSVP to attend.

The ACC PVD Member Section has a limited number of travel awards available to cover expense for a PVD Section FIT member to travel to the 2017 Annual Scientific Sessions in Washington, D.C.  The award provides funding for airfare, lodging, meals, and ground transportation to the conference that will be held March 17-19, 2017. Apply today!

The most recent Journal Club discussion is now available online. Experts Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, FACC; John Ryan, MD, FACC; and Robert Harrington, MD, FACC, discuss “Prevalence of Pulmonary Embolism Among Patients Hospitalized For Syncope” published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Joint guidelines for the treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD), which include recommendations on the use of antiplatelet therapy to reduce the risk of blood clots and statin drugs to lower cholesterol and advise PAD patients to participate in a structured exercise program, were published Nov. 13 by the ACC and the American Heart Association.

The Spring issue of Cardiology magazine highlights the latest developments in peripheral vascular disease (PVD) treatment and management. “In 2015, three major pivotal trials confirmed the safety and efficacy of paclitaxel-coated balloons in the endovascular treatment of femoropopliteal artery disease: the IN.PACT SFA trial, the LEVANT 2 trial, and the five-year follow-up of the THUNDER trial.” Thosaphol Limpijankit, MD, FACC, explains that “these trials demonstrated...

In the Peripheral Matters Column in a recent issue of CardioSource WorldNews: Interventions, Mehdi H. Shishehbor, DO, MPH, PhD, FACC; Herbert D. Aronow, MD, MPH, FACC; and Michael R. Jaff, DO, FACC, members of ACC’s Peripheral Vascular Disease Section Leadership Council...

ACC’s patient resource website, CardioSmart.org, has launched a new condition center on peripheral vascular disease (PVD), aimed at helping patients understand their condition and providing them with the resources they need to maintain their heart health. Clinicians are encouraged to direct their patients to the condition center for information such as a patient-focused overview of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), questions to ask physicians, and related fact sheets on PAD and walking for exercise.

When the ACC was founded after World War II, the chief breakthrough in medicine was the advent of antibiotics. These new, transformative drugs resulted in the overthrow of infectious disease as the nation’s leading cause of death and cardiovascular disease emerged as the new top killer. This swift rise to prominence along with innovations in research, technology and widespread availability of health insurance, worked to shape cardiology into a major academic and clinical discipline.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) convened a Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC) to inform future/potential decision making of coverage on July 22 regarding patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The panel of physicians and other experts voted on questions considering the scientific evidence of existing interventions in asymptomatic, intermittent claudication and critical limb ischemia patients.

In a recent Expert Analysis, Konstantinos Charitakis, MD, and Dmitriy N. Feldman, MD, FACC, take an in-depth look at atherectomy for lower extremity intervention. “Endovascular technological advances have made a minimally invasive percutaneous approach the treatment of choice in the initial management of the majority of symptomatic patients over the traditional surgical approach,” Charitakis and Feldman state.

In a recent Expert Analysis, Konstantinos Charitakis, MD, and Dmitriy N. Feldman, MD, FACC, take an in-depth look at atherectomy for lower extremity intervention. "Endovascular technological advances have made a minimally invasive percutaneous approach the treatment of choice in the initial management of the majority of symptomatic patients over the traditional surgical approach," Charitakis and Feldman state.