Multispecialty Peripheral IVUS Roundtable Proceedings Jointly Published by SCAI, SIR, and SVS

January 9, 2024—Proceedings from an expert consensus roundtable that discussed the benefits of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in lower extremity revascularization procedures were published by Eric A. Secemsky, MD, et al online ahead of print in Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions, Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, and Journal of Vascular Surgery—Vascular Insights.

According to an announcement from the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI), Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR), and Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), the roundtable focused on the current challenges in diagnosing and treating lower extremity revascularization, knowledge and data gaps, and the potential role of IVUS in addressing these challenges. Experts shared their insights and experiences from the fields of interventional cardiology, interventional radiology, and vascular surgery.

The expert consensus meeting was convened by SCAI and cosponsored by SIR and SVS, as well as the American Vein and Lymphatic Society, American Venous Forum, and Society for Vascular Medicine.

The societies’ press release advised that the considerations and consensus views shared in “Intravascular Ultrasound Use in Peripheral Arterial and Deep Venous Interventions: Multidisciplinary Expert Opinion From SCAI/AVF/AVLS/SIR/SVM/SVS” represent the opinion of the consensus committee members.

Dr. Secemsky, Director of Vascular Intervention at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, discussed the roundtable’s consensus document in the societies’ press release.

“Improvements in outcomes following peripheral vascular intervention have lagged compared to other endovascular treatments, such as percutaneous coronary intervention,” commented Dr. Secemsky. “Both clinical experience and evidence support the greater use of peripheral IVUS to reduce adverse events and extend the patency of our lower extremity revascularization procedures. By gathering experts from different specialties, we aimed to foster collaboration and exchange ideas to improve patient care for peripheral IVUS.”

Dr. Secemsky continued, “The roundtable provided a unique opportunity to identify knowledge gaps and discuss how IVUS can enhance our understanding and treatment of peripheral arterial and deep venous pathology.”

He concluded, “The insights gained from this roundtable will help shape future research, training, and clinical guidelines in the field of lower extremity revascularization. By leveraging the power of IVUS, we can improve our ability to diagnose and treat patients, ultimately leading to better outcomes and quality of life.”

As noted in the press release, angiography is the dominant imaging modality in revascularization to treat peripheral artery disease; however, it has inherent limitations. IVUS allows physicians to visualize the inside of blood vessels in real time and provides detailed information about the vessel wall, plaque composition, and blood flow characteristics, enabling more accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Participants in the roundtable highlighted the potential of IVUS in guiding revascularization procedures such as angioplasty and stenting to optimize outcomes for patients. They also emphasized the need for further research and evidence to support the integration of IVUS into routine clinical practice.

The roundtable concluded with a commitment to ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing among physicians. Participants agreed that treatment standards, formal training programs, and global quality metrics remain needed to improve patient care, noted the societies’ press release.