Vascular surgery resident education and hands-on training in vascular laboratory testing

Abstract

Diagnostic testing performed in the noninvasive vascular laboratory is a cornerstone of care for patients with suspected or known vascular disease. The Society for Vascular Surgery has mandated that vascular surgery resident training include mentored experience in performing vascular laboratory testing and interpreting its results. The trainee should be experienced with vascular laboratory instrumentation and testing protocols, be knowledgeable in ultrasound imaging of vascular anatomy, and be competent to classify disease severity relevant to the study indication. The scope of test interpretation should include peripheral arterial, peripheral venous, cerebrovascular, and visceral abdominal testing using duplex ultrasound supplemented by indirect physiologic testing for peripheral arterial and venous disease. The emergence of endovascular therapy has expanded duplex ultrasound applications in the areas of screening, procedural imaging, and surveillance following intervention. Pre-procedure testing to assess disease location and severity, and vein mapping for dialysis access or extremity bypass grafting provide important patient-specific information that can reduce the need for more invasive vascular imaging. It is recommended that trainees acquire the hand-on skills to perform duplex testing in vascular clinic and inpatient sites, such as the emergency department and operating room. Training programs should have a structured vascular laboratory curriculum that documents annual educational milestones that encompass both test interpretation aptitude and hands-on duplex scanning skills. Before completion of training, the resident should acquire documented experience in test interpretation sufficient to take the Physician Vascular Interpretation examination, which is required for American Board of Surgery certification as a vascular surgeon.