West Virginia Vascular/Endovascular Surgery Symposium

Program overview and objectives

The world-renowned faculty of the West Virginia Vascular/Endovascular Surgery Symposium will present an update on vascular/endovascular topics. This program is designed for general surgeons, vascular surgeons, interventional vascular radiologists, cardiologists, neurologists, internists, family practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals interested in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with vascular disease as well as the management of common vascular disorders. No prerequisites are required. 

The latest concepts, methodologies and techniques in the surgical and percutaneous management of patients with vascular disease will be explored through presentations and panel discussions.

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The conference fee includes a credit processing fee, conference materials, continental breakfast and a box lunch. Please note that payment must accompany registration.

After completing this course, participants should be able to:

• Identify high-risk cardiac factors during pre-operative workups to optimize patient safety before vascular procedures.
• Evaluate the clinical criteria, benefits and hurdles of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) in modern practice.
• Formulate multidisciplinary management plans combining medical and surgical strategies for complex vascular infections.
• Compare the outcomes of TCAR, eversion and patch angioplasty to select the optimal carotid revascularization technique.
• Analyze recent clinical trial data regarding micro-mesh carotid stents to improve procedural safety in high-risk patients.
• Incorporate comprehensive vascular medicine strategies into primary care workflows for asymptomatic carotid stenosis.
• Assess the long-term efficacy and safety compliance of on-IFU versus off-label EVAR techniques in younger patient cohorts.
• Determine the clinical utility and placement of PTAB and percutaneous bypass in long-segment SFA and popliteal occlusions.
• Apply advanced imaging modalities, such as coronary CTA, to refine the preoperative workup for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLI).  
• Examine the physiological impact of visceral denervation on metabolic syndrome and its implications for vascular health.
• Navigate the recent 2026 multisociety guidelines to optimize the evaluation, triage and management of acute pulmonary embolism.
• Implement updated radiation safety protocols and enhanced shielding devices to minimize occupational exposure during fluoroscopy.
• Dissect complex, real-world vascular complications through peer-to-peer panel analysis to improve intraoperative decision-making.
• Develop rescue strategies for technical failures encountered during challenging endovascular and open surgical reconstructions. 

Presentations on challenging cases by vascular surgery residents and fellows will end the meeting on Sunday. Nationally and internationally known speakers will serve as faculty.

Lodging

Conference attendees are responsible for making their own lodging reservations. A block of rooms has been reserved for this conference. When making reservations, please remember to state that you are attending the 2026 West Virginia Vascular Symposium. Call direct 304-536-1110 or toll-free 1-855-453-4858 or visit greenbrier.com.

Agenda 

Saturday, Oct. 17 - Eisenhower Room  

7:30 a.m. | Registration/Continental Breakfast

8 a.m. | Welcome/Introductions/Opening Remarks - Ali F. AbuRahma, MD, Program Director

Session I: 8:15 - 9:15 a.m.

Vascular Surgery for the Primary Care Physicians and Other Vascular Providers

Moderators: James Campbell, MD; Mohammad Eslami, MD; and Chris Cook, MD

8:15-8:25 a.m. | Pre-operative Cardiac Workup Prior to Vascular Procedures - Elie Gharib, MD 

8:25-8:35 a.m. | Hybrid Interventions for the Aortic Arch - Chris Cook, MD

8:35-8:45 a.m. | Beyond the Evidence: Remaining Challenges to Clinical Adoption for Prostatic Artery Embolization - Amy Deipolyi, MD

8:45-8:55 a.m. | The Ongoing Adventures of Bugs, Drugs and Blood Vessels - Fred Kerns, MD

8:55-9:05 a.m. | TBA - Local Faculty

9:05-9:15 a.m. | TBA - Local Faculty

SESSION II: 9:15 - 10:05 a.m.

Cerebrovascular Disease

Moderators: Ali AbuRahma, MD; Frank Veith, MD; and Michel Makaroun, MD 

9:15-9:25 a.m. | SVS Commentary Regarding Carotid Revascularization and Medical Management for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis/CREST-2 - Keith Calligaro, MD

9:25-9:35 a.m. | TCAR, Eversion and Patch: Which, When and Why - Clement Darling, MD

9:35-9:45 a.m. | Duplex-Assisted Carotid Artery Stenting in High-Risk Patients - Enrico Ascher, MD

9:45-9:55 a.m. | What Are the Benefits of Carotid Stents with MicroMesh for TCAR and TFCAS? What Do the Trials Reveal? - Patrick Muck, MD

9:55-10:05 a.m. | Vascular Medicine is a Critical Component to Optimal Care - Natalie Ascher, MD

10:05-10:35 a.m. | Coffee Break

SESSION III: 10:30 a.m.-noon

Aortic Aneurysm (Thoracic/Abdomen) and PVD

Moderators: Clement Darling, MD; Keith Calligaro, MD; Frank Arko, MD; Ramaiah Venkatesh, MD               

10:30-10:40 a.m. | On IFU EVAR for Young(er) Patients-Advice or Avoid? - Ronald Dalman, MD

10:40-10:50 a.m. | How Come all the OFF-LABEL Techniques Have Become So Widespread? PMEGS, LASER FENESTRATIONS…Do We Need Oversight? - Ramaiah Venkatesh, MD 

10:50-11 a.m. | Update on the TAMBE 4 Branch Device - Michel Makaroun, MD

11-11:10 a.m. | Update on Medical Therapies for Management of Early AAA Disease - Ronald Dalman, MD

11:10-11:20 a.m. | Coronary CTA and Its Importance in the Preoperative Work Up of Patients with CLI - Frank Arko, MD

11:20-11:30 a.m. | When, Why and How…Is This a Sustainable Procedure in PAD and CLI, and Where Does it Fit in the Algorithm of SFA/POPLITEAL Long Segment Occlusions? - Ramaiah Venkatesh, MD 

11:30-11:40 a.m. | Percutaneous Bypass for SFA Occlusion - Aravinda Nanjundappa, MD 

11:40-11:50 a.m. | Unusual Open Surgical Techniques that Extended Limb Salvage - Enrico Ascher, MD

11:50 a.m.-noon | Endovascular Management of ALI is Here to Stay - Frank Arko, MD 

Noon-1 p.m. | Lunch (provided)

SESSION IV: 1-2:20 p.m.

Venous/Miscellaneous

Moderators: Enrico Ascher, MD; Peter Lawrence, MD; Ronald Dalman, MD; Margaret Tracci, MD

1-1:10 p.m. | Visceral Denervation for Metabolic Syndrome - Aravinda Nanjundappa, MD 

1:10-1:20 p.m. | Hot Topics in Payment and Policy for Vascular Surgeons - Margaret Tracci, MD 

1:20-1:30 p.m. | Iliac Artery Preservation During Aortic Repair - F. Ezequiel Parodi, MD 

1:30-1:40 p.m. | Dealing with Adversity: A Requirement for Success for Vascular Surgeons and Specialists - Frank Veith, MD

1:40-1:50 p.m. | AI in 2026: Has the Apocalypse Happen Yet and Will It? - Michael Amendola, MD

1:50-2 p.m. | Aberrant Subclavian Artery: What We’ve Learned from The Vascular Low Frequency Disease Consortium - Peter Lawrence, MD 

2-2:10 p.m. | Multiple Locations, Hospitals and Partners: Pitfalls and Benefits - Clement Darling, MD

2:10-2:20 p.m. | Venous Valve Implantation and Creation. Where Are We in 2026? - David Dexter, MD

2:20-2:30 p.m. | SVS Response to 2026 AHA/ACC/ACCP/ACEP/CHEST/SCAI/SHM/SIR/SVM/SV Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism in Adults - Keith Calligaro, MD  

2:30-2:40 p.m. | Enhanced Radiation Protection Devices (ERPDs)-Can We Shed the Lead Aprons During EVARs? - Patrick Muck, MD

2:40-3:30 p.m. | Panel Discussion

3:30 p.m. | Conference Evaluation and Adjournment

Sunday, Oct. 18 - Eisenhower Room  

Session V: 8-10:30 a.m.

Challenging/Complex Case Presentations

Moderators: Patrick Muck, MD; David Dexter, MD; Aravinda Nanjundappa, MD; Michael Amendola, MD; Shadi Abu-Halimah, MD 

This interactive, case-based session provides a forum for vascular surgeons and specialists to analyze high-stakes, real-world clinical dilemmas. Faculty panel members and attendees will dissect complex vascular cases, focusing on anatomical anomalies, multi-system comorbidities and unexpected intraoperative complications. Through dynamic peer-to-peer discussion, participants will evaluate alternative treatment pathways, debate open versus endovascular bailouts and review the clinical decision-making that leads to successful limb and life salvage.  

By the end of this session, participants should be better able to:

• Analyze anatomical variations and severe medical comorbidities that complicate standard open and endovascular interventions.
• Formulate evidence-based algorithmic strategies for treating acute technical failures and intraoperative complications.
• Compare multi-specialty viewpoints regarding the optimal timing, staging, and selection of rescue therapies.
• Determine when to shift from standard endovascular approaches to open surgical bailouts in high-risk patients.
• Identify key lessons from adverse outcomes to implement system-wide quality improvements and safer clinical practices. 

8 a.m. | Registration/Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m. | Case Reviews/Panel Discussion

10:30 a.m. | Evaluation/Conference Adjournment

Program directors and faculty

Chair/program director

Ali F. AbuRahma, MD, FACS, FRCS, RVT, RPVI

Past President, Society of Vascular Surgery

Professor of Surgery  

Chief Emeritus, Division of Vascular /Endovascular Surgery  

Co-Director, Vascular Center of Excellence  

Medical Director of Vascular Lab

Vandalia Health Charleston Area Medical Center

Charleston, WV

Visiting guest faculty  

Michael Amendola, MD, MEHP

Professor, VCU Medical Center

Interim Chief of Surgery  

Hampton VA Medical Center  

Hampton, VA

Frank R. Arko III, MD

Chief, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery

Co-Director, Aortic Institute

Professor, Cardiovascular Surgery

Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute

Carolinas Healthcare System

Charlotte, NC  

Enrico Ascher, MD  

Past President, The Society of Vascular Surgery

Professor of Surgery  

New York University

Chief, Vascular Surgery

Lutheran Medical Center  

Brooklyn, NY

Natalie Ascher, MD

Vascular Surgery  

NYU Lutheran Health System  

Brooklyn, NY

Keith Calligaro, MD  

Past President, Society for Vascular Surgery

Chief of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy

Professor of Clinical Surgery

Pennsylvania Hospital  

Philadelphia, PA  

Ronald Dalman, MD  

Past President, Society for Vascular Surgery

Walter C. and Elsa R. Chidester Professor of Surgery

Division Chief Emeritus of Vascular Surgery

Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs  

Stanford Medicine  

Palo Alto, CA

R. Clement Darling III, MD  

Past President, Society for Vascular Surgery

Professor of Surgery, Albany Medical College 

Chief, Division of Vascular Surgery, Albany Medical Center Hospital 

President, The Vascular Group 

Albany, NY

David J. Dexter II, MD  

Clinal Chief, SMG Division of Vascular Surgery

Medical Director, Sentara Vascular Surgery  

Sentara Health  

Virginia Beach, VA

Peter F. Lawrence, MD  

Past President, Society for Vascular Surgery  

Chief, Vascular Surgery  

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center  

Director, Gonda (Goldschmied) Venous Center

Los Angeles, CA

Michel Makaroun, MD  

Professor of Surgery and Clinical and Translational Science

Marshall W. Webster, MD, Chair in Vascular Surgery

Director, Endovascular Surgery Program  

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA  

Patrick E. Muck, MD, RVT, FACS 

Chief of Vascular Surgery

Program Director, Vascular Fellowship & Integrated Residency 

Good Samaritan Hospital 

Cincinnati, OH 
 

Aravinda Nanjundappa, MD, RVT, FACC, FSCAI  

Cardiovascular Medicine

Cleveland Clinic  

Cleveland, OH  

Federico Ezequiel Parodi, MD, FACS

Professor of Surgery    

Program Director

Wake Forest University    

Co-Director Aortic Center

Atrium Health, Vascular Surgery

Charlotte, NC

Margaret Tracci, MD

President, Southern Association for Vascular Surgery

Professor of Surgery, UVA Health  

Medical Director for Surgeon Engagement, American College of Surgery

Charlottesville, VA

Frank J. Veith, MD, FACS

Past President, Society for Vascular Surgery

Professor of Surgery  

Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western University and New York University

William J Von Liebig Chair in Vascular Surgery at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Cleveland, OH

Chairman, Vascular and Endovascular Issues, Techniques and Horizons

(VEITH Symposium)  

New York, NY  

Ramaiah Venkatesh, MD  

Founder and Chief of Vascular Surgery

Pulse Cardiovascular Institute

Former Chief of Complex Vascular Services - HonorHealth

Former Director, Arizona Heart Hospital  

Scottsdale, AZ

Local faculty 

James Campbell II, MD  

President, CAMC Institute for Academic Medicine

President, Health Services, Vandalia Health

Charleston, WV

Chris Cook, MD

Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Vandalia Health Charleston Area Medical Center

Charleston, WV   

Amy Deipolyi, MD

Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology  

Vandalia Health Charleston Area Medical Center

Charleston, WV 

Fred Kerns, MD  

Vandalia Health Infectious Disease  

Vandalia Health Charleston Area Medical Center

Charleston, WV

Elie Gharib, MD  

Vandalia Health Cardiology  

Vandalia Health Charleston Area Medical Center

Charleston, WV