Vascular Access Society of the Americas

VASA 2024 Symposium

May 16-18, 2024
Hyatt Regency Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia

The Vascular Access Society of the Americas will be holding its 2024 Vascular Access for Hemodialysis Symposium, May 16-18, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.

The 2024 VASA Symposium will feature leading edge presentations and exciting content, including:

  • State-of-the-art, comprehensive lectures covering all major areas in dialysis access
  • Diverse multi-disciplinary faculty, including prominent international speakers
  • Scientific abstract presentations sharing the newest finding and technological advancements in dialysis access
  • Vascular access nursing and allied health content
  • Interactive case discussions
  • Spotlight on new devices and technologies

Target Audience: Transplant, vascular and general surgeons, nephrologists, interventional radiologists, nurses, and dialysis technicians who are interested in the management of vascular access.

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024 — ALLIED HEALTH PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

07:45 AM - 08:00 AM

Introduction

08:00 AM - 08:30 AM

Discuss CKD, Assisting Patients to be Prepared for Dialysis, and Their Role with ESKD Life Plan and Access Plan. How to Become One Team for the Total Patient Experience/Satisfaction.

Speaker: Debbie Brouwer-Maier, RN, CNN

08:30 AM - 09:15 AM

Overview of Vascular Access Creation Overview AV Access Creation, HD Catheter and PD Placement.

Speaker: John Lucas, MD

09:15 AM - 09:30 AM

Break and Time to get Patients into the Stations.

09:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Patient Models at Stations

  • One Minute Check with Patients - Physical Exams
  • Ultrasound with Patients
  • Cannulation Stations with Fake Arms

Speakers: Rodella Brown, CD-LPN; Judy A Geissler, DNP, APNP, FNP-BC; Crystal T Fahner, CCHT; Amber Parker, CHT; Jacquelyn N. Hall, CCHT; Debbie Brouwer-Maier, RN, CNN

10:45 AM - 11:30 AM

VASA Toolkit for Show & Tell (Including Bottle Cap)

Speakers: John Lucas, MD; Dirk Hentschel, MD

11:30 AM - 12:45 PM

Lunch On Your Own

12:45 PM - 01:45 PM

CDC Infection Control in Dialysis Access

Speakers: Danica Gomes, MD, MSc; Shannon Novosad, MD, MPH

01:45 PM - 02:00 PM

Break

02:00 PM - 02:45 PM

How to Triage and Refer the Vascular Access to the Appropriate Provider

  • IR or IN
  • Surgeon
  • Another Issue is Anticoagulation Medications. Type and How Much is too Much (Medication Management)

Speakers: Vicki Teodorescu, MD; Dirk Hentschel, MD

02:45 PM - 03:30 PM

Home Dialysis Updates

  • Teaching patient/care givers to self-cannulate
  • Cannulation is not difficult - patient to share their story
  • PD catheter - patient to share their story

Speakers: David Rush, HHD Patient; Crystal T Fahner, CCHT

03:30 PM - 04:00 PM

Round Table Discussion with Q&A Session

Speakers: All

04:00 PM - 05:15 PM

Learning and Libations: Case Discussions

05:30 PM - 07:30 PM

Opening Reception in the Exhibit Hall

Open to All Attendees

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024 — GLOBAL DIALYSIS ACCESS FORUM\

01:00 PM - 02:30 PM

Session 1

  • GDAF: Introductory Address
    Speaker: Surendra Shenoy, MD, PhD
  • VASA: Dialysis Access Initiatives in the United States
    Speaker: Dirk Hentschel, MD
  • JSDA: Updates in Dialysis Access Care in Japan
    Speaker: Hideki Kawanishi, MD
  • VASA: Dialysis Access in European Nations
    Speaker: Matteo Tozzi, MD
  • APSDA: Organizational Challenges in Asian Pacific Nations
    Speaker: Prof. Takashi Sato
  • VASA: Latin America: Dialysis Access Care in Latin America?
    Speaker: Prof. Carlos Hinojosa
  • AVATAR: Challenges and Efforts to Organize Dialysis Access Care in India
    Speaker: Sanjiv Jasuja, MD
  • Q&A/Discussion

Moderators: Surendra Shenoy, MD, PhD; Mitchell Henry, MD

02:30 PM - 02:40 PM

Break

02:40 PM - 03:40 PM

Session 2

03:40 PM - 04:00 PM

Break

04:00 PM - 05:15 PM

Learning and Libations: Case Discussions

05:30 PM - 07:30 PM

Opening Reception in the Exhibit Hall

Open to All Attendees

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2024

07:00 AM - 07:50 AM

Breakfast Symposium: VasQ&A – Latest Updates with Expert Panelists

Panelists: George Blessios, MD; John Lucas, MD; Keith Ozaki, MD

Moderator: Robert Shahverdyan, MD

07:00 AM - 08:00 AM

Continental Breakfast with Exhibitors

08:00 AM - 08:09 AM

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Speaker: John Lucas, MD

08:10 AM - 09:09 AM

Session 1 | Access: Planning

  • Ultrasound vs Venogram for Mapping
    Speaker: Eric Peden, MD
  • Vein Preservation - How and Who Decides
    Speaker: Debbie Brouwer-Maier, RN, CNN
  • Access Planning with Central Venous Devices, Vein Dilation Pre Fistula Creation: A Device Based Approach
    Speaker: Bart Dolmatch, MD
  • Vein Dilation Pre Fistula Creation: A Device Based Approach
    Speaker: Surendra Shenoy, MD, PhD
  • Catheters without Biofilm
    Speaker: John Ross, MD
  • Q&A/Discussion

Moderator: Surendra Shenoy, MD, PhD; Robert Lee, MD

09:10 AM - 09:24 AM

Research Presentation #1

  • Safety of Pre-Op Venogram for Hemodialysis Planning in Pre ESRD (Resident Award Presentation)
    Speaker: Lucinda Holden-Wingate
  • In-Vivo Human Cephalic Vein Wall Shear Stress During FLow Mediated Vein Dilation
    Speaker: Surendra Shenoy, MD, PhD

Moderator: Surendra Shenoy, MD, PhD; Robert Lee, MD

09:25 AM - 09:50 AM

VASA Presidential Address

Speaker: Dirk Hentschel, MD

Moderator: John Lucas, MD

09:51 AM - 10:14 AM

Break - Visit Exhibits

10:15 AM - 11:14 AM

Session 2 | Access Creation: New Devices

  • Surgical AVFs - Maximizing success
    Speaker: Michael Gallichio, MD
  • Endo AVFs - Creation and Maturation
    Speaker: Ted Perry, MD
  • New Device for Creating Percutaneous AVFs
    Speaker: Robert Shahverdyan, MD
  • Improving Primary Fistula Maturation with VasQ
    Speaker: Keith Ozaki, MD
  • KDOQI Life Plan – Access Type, Access Location
    Speaker: Charmaine Lok
  • Q&A/Discussion

Moderators: John Lucas, MD; Charmaine Lok

11:15 AM - 11:29 AM

Research Presentation #2

  • Clinical Outcomes for a New AV Graft Designed to Resist Occlusion and Infection
    Speaker: John Ross, MD
  • Initial Feasibility Study of SelfWrap-Assisted AVF - 24 Month Report
    Speaker: Ellen Dillavou, MD

Moderators: John Lucas, MD; Charmaine Lok

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Session 3 | Accress Creation: How to Choose

  • Patient-Centered Approach to Creation of Permanent AV Access
    Speaker: Karen Woo, MD, PhD
  • Current State of Forearm AV Fistulas
    Speaker: Mohamad Hussain, MD. Ph.D.
  • Who Do I Use a Graft for
    Speaker: Stephen Hohmann, MD
  • One Year First in Human (FIH) Outcome with aXess Vascular Graft
    Speaker: Matteo Tozzi, MD
  • Access Creation in the Land of Catheters
    Speaker: Elisa Greco, MD
  • Q&A/Discussion

Moderators: Mohamad Hussain, MD, PhD; Keith Ozaki, MD

12:30 PM - 01:29 PM

Lunch with Exhibitors

12:30 PM - 01:29 PM

Lunch Symposium: Advancing Hemodialysis Access: Innovative Strategies for Maintenance and Longevity

Speakers: Bart Dolmatch, MD; William Harris, MD

01:30 PM - 01:50 PM

The Holland Lecture

Speaker: Forest Rawls, CCHT-A, FNKF

01:51 PM - 02:50 PM

Session 4 | Access Use/Cannulation

  • Buttonhole vs Rope Ladder
    Speaker: Amber Parker, CHT
  • Self Cannulation at Home
    Patient Perspective
  • Type and Location of Dialysis Access in Home Hemodialysis
    Speaker: Adina Voiculescu, MD
  • Effect of Cannulation on Dialysis Access
    Speaker: Dirk Hentschel, MD
  • A Target to Improve Cannulation Success
    Speaker: John Ross, MD; Stephen Hohmann, MD
  • Q&A/Discussion

Moderators: Dirk Hentschel, MD; Forest Rawls, CCHT-A, FNKF

02:51 PM - 03:05 PM

Research Presentation #3

  • Predicting Long-Term Patency of Radiocephalic AVF with Machine Learning and the PREDICT-AVF Web App (Resident Award Presentation)
    Speaker: James Fitzgibbon, MD
  • Is there a minimum for flow volume necessary to provide adequate dialysis? (Resident Award Presentation)
    Speaker: Atlee Baker, MD

Moderators: TBD

03:06 PM - 03:35 PM

Break - Visit Exhibits, Poster Session #1

03:36 PM - 04:31 PM

Session 5 | FDA and Trials in Dialysis Access

  • The Role of International Study Data in FDA Regulatory Decisions
    Speaker: Nicole Schiavone, Ph.D.
  • Post-Approval Medical Device Studies: When They are Required by FDA and Why You Should Participate
    Speaker: Robert Lee, MD
  • Ongoing/About to Start NIH Trials in Dialysis Access
    Speaker: Andrea Lubitz, MD
  • Q&A/Discussion

Moderators: Karen Woo, MD, PhD; Yana Etkin, MD

04:32 PM - 04:47 PM

Research Presentation #4

  • Snuff Box Arteriovenous Fistual as the First Choice: A Single Center Review (Resident Award Presentation)
    Speaker: Amen Kiani, MBBS
  • Interpreting Efficacy Outcomes in Hemodialysis AVF Trials: Why Trial Design Matters!
    Speaker: Mohamad Hussain, MD. Ph.D.

Moderators: Karen Woo, MD, PhD; Yana Etkin, MD

05:00 PM - 05:30 PM

VASA Member Business Meeting

05:30 PM - 07:00 PM

Reception in the Exhibit Hall

Open to All Attendees

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024

07:00 AM - 08:00 AM

Breakfast Satellite Symposium: Optimizing Dialysis Care: Advanced Catheter Technologies & Building PD Excellence

Speakers: Satyaki Banerjee, MD and David Bjerken, MD

Presented by Mozarc Medical

07:00 AM - 08:00 AM

Continental Breakfast with Exhibitors

08:00 AM - 08:45 AM

Session 6 | Access: Maintenance

  • Balloon Angioplasty
    Speaker: John Aruny, MD
  • Stents and Stent Grafts
    Speaker: Ammar Almehmi, MD
  • Surgical Treatment of Outflow Obstruction
    Speaker: Vicki Teodorescu, MD, MBA, RVT
  • Flex Scoring Catheter
    Speaker: Robert Shahverdyan, MD
  • Q&A/Discussion

Moderator: John Aruny, MD; Robert Lee, MD

08:50 AM - 09:12 AM

Research Presentation #5

  • Longitudinal Micro-incisions Before Angioplasty have Equitable Benefit for AV Access: Analysis by Race Cohorts
    Speaker: Omar Davis
  • Local Liquid Delivery: A Potential New Approach for Treating AVF Venous Stenosis
    Speaker: Linda Liu
  • Analysis of Inflation Times and Balloon Types in Dialysis Access: Implications for Post-Intervention Primary Patency
    Speaker: Christopher Zammit, OMS-III

Moderator: John Aruny, MD; Robert Lee, MD

09:15 AM - 10:14 AM

Session 7 | Access: Rescue/Revision

  • Aneurysmorraphy: Does Size Matter?
    Speaker: Anuj Mahajan
  • A Novel Technique to Increase the Maturation Rate of Arteriovenous Fistulae
    Speaker: Homayoun Hashemi, MD
  • Ramifications of High-Volume Flow in AV Access
    Speaker: Keith Ozaki, MD
  • Monomelic Ischemia: A Devastating Complication of AVFs
    Speaker: Jaime Valdez, MD
  • Infection: Is Complete Excision Always Necessary?
    Speaker: Jay Miller, MD
  • Q&A/Discussion

Moderators: Vicki Teodorescu, MD; Ronald Chang, MD

10:15 AM - 10:29 AM

Research Presentation #6

  • Safety of Uninterrupted Anticoagulation in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis Access Creation with Regional Anesthesia (Resident Award Presentation)
    Speaker: Melissa Cruz
  • Preliminary Experience Using Radial Artery Lithotripsy to Aid AVF Maturation in ESRD Patients with Significant Medial Calcinosis
    Speaker: Alexander Ushinsky, MD

Moderators: Vicki Teodorescu, MD; Ronald Chang, MD

10:30 AM - 10:59 AM

Break - Visit Exhibits, Poster Session #2

11:00 AM - 11:29 AM

The Henry Lecture

Speaker: William Jennings, MD

11:30 AM - 11:54 AM

Research Presentation #7

  • Implementation of Variojuus Measures to Help Reduce Radioation Exposure to Interventionist Conducting Access Procedures
    Speaker: Daniel Derylo
  • Assessment of Longitudinal Echo Parameters Following AVF Ligation in Stable Renal Transplant Patients
    Speaker: Alexander Toledo, MD
  • Device Innovation: The EndoForce™ Journey
    Speaker: John Ross, MD

Moderator: John Lucas, MD; Dirk Hentschel, MD

11:55 AM - 12:00 PM

Poster Awards/Announcements

12:00 PM - 12:15 PM

Break - Visit Exhibits

12:15 PM - 01:15 PM

Lunch with Exhibitors

12:15 PM - 01:15 PM

Satelite Lunch Symposium: Approaches to Fistula Maturation and Maintenance from Different Specialties

Speakers: Monnie Wasse, MD; Ari Kramer, MD

Sponsored by Medtronic

01:16 PM - 02:15 PM

Session 8 | When to Change Course: Options for Challenging Situations

  • Controversies (Transplant/High Output Cardiac Failure/IMN)
    Speaker: Ken Woodside, MD
  • Central Venous Stenosis/Occlusion
    Speaker: Charles Kim, MD
  • Medical Management of Recurrent Stenosis/Thrombosis (Anticoagulation)
    Speaker: Yana Etkin, MD
  • Lower Extremity Access
    Speaker: John Lucas, MD
  • Q&A/Discussion

Moderators: Karen Woo, MD, PhD; Yana Etkin, MD

02:16 PM - 02:25 PM

Best Resident Presentation

02:26 PM - 02:35 PM

Best Oral Presentation

02:36 PM - 02:45 PM

Closing Remarks/Adjourn

Speakers: John Lucas, MD; Dirk Hentschel, MD