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Deepak Srikant

Key Takeaways in Vascular Care: Insights from VIVA 2024 and the 51st Annual VEITH Symposium

November was an exciting month for the vascular medicine community, with back-to-back conferences spotlighting advancements in the field. At VIVA 2024 and the VEITH Symposium, the focus ranged from innovative devices to the emerging role of AI in vascular care. These two events showcased the state of vascular innovation while revealing the gaps and opportunities still to be addressed.

Here are our top takeaways from both conferences:

1. AI in Vascular Care: Early Successes and Growing Opportunities

The role of AI in vascular care is still in its early stages, with pockets of success seen in areas like pulmonary embolism (PE) management and pulmonary embolism response team (PERT) workflows. These AI-driven advancements demonstrate how technology can:

  • Aggregate data from disparate systems to support rapid, informed decision-making by multidisciplinary teams.
  • Ensure timely identification of patients, bringing the right cases to the forefront for urgent care.

AI’s impact on vascular care extends beyond acute PE scenarios to conditions like aortic pathologies, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and eventually peripheral artery disease (PAD). 

However, adoption varies across specialties:

  • Interventional radiologists have embraced AI faster, leveraging their strong ties to radiology, where many clinical AI solutions originated.
  • Vascular surgeons, while focusing more on medical device innovation, have yet to fully utilize AI’s ability to streamline patient referrals, improve care coordination and identify elective cases that might otherwise slip through the cracks (e.g. small aortic aneurysms flagged in radiology reports but not referred for follow-up.)

The journey for AI adoption in vascular surgery may take time, given the specialty’s traditionally conservative approach to new technologies. Still, these early successes by early adopters, signal that AI is paving the way for greater efficiency and better outcomes in both urgent and elective case scenarios.

2. Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Care: Evolving Beyond Acute Management

At both VIVA and VEITH, VTE management stood out as a critical area of focus. Chronic conditions like DVT are shifting the conversation beyond acute interventions to encompass long-term care. Key themes included:

  • Improving post-intervention monitoring to prevent complications
  • Improving the patient journey with cost-effective strategies for follow-up
  • Leveraging AI and predictive analytics to identify at-risk patients earlier and optimize resource allocation.

These discussions emphasized the importance of integrating AI into care pathways, not only for acute emergencies but also for chronic disease management.

3. Surge in Interest Around Procedural Tools and Integration

As mechanical thrombectomy gains traction, procedural volumes are climbing—and so is the demand for tools to support care teams. Clinicians are increasingly seeking solutions that offer:

  • Real-time flagging and care team notifications for emergent cases.
  • Robust tools for patient management throughout the care continuum.
  • Integration capabilities that align with the growing adoption of thrombectomy and other advanced vascular interventions.

These tools are pivotal for ensuring that expanding procedural volumes translate into better patient outcomes, not provider burnout.

4. A Growing Appetite for Customization and Workflow Solutions

Conversations at both conferences emphasized the industry’s need for tailored solutions that fit seamlessly into existing practices. Clinicians expressed enthusiasm for:

  • Customization options that address unique departmental needs.
  • AI tools that drive clinical efficiency without disrupting workflows.
  • Solutions that bridge the gap between diagnostics and therapy to create cohesive care pathways.

It’s clear that vascular professionals are looking for more than technology—they want solutions that truly help improve their practice.

5. Collaboration and Innovation Are Key

A consistent theme at both conferences was the importance of collaboration—not only between specialties but between clinicians, researchers and technology providers. AI-driven solutions have the power to unite different areas of vascular care, fostering more cohesive and effective treatment pathways. 

What’s Next for Vascular Care?

The conversations at VIVA 2024 and the VEITH Symposium highlighted a dynamic period for vascular care, with AI offering exciting possibilities for innovation. While its adoption is still in its fancy, especially among vascular surgeons, early successes in areas like PE and VTE management point to a promising future.

At Aidoc, we’re committed to helping clinicians bridge the gaps in vascular care, from identifying high-risk patients to streamlining care delivery. Together, we can move the field forward—one innovation at a time. 

Click here to learn more about Aidoc’s vascular solutions. 

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Deepak Srikant