Audible Bleeding

Welcome back to the Audible Bleeding series: Landmark Papers in Vascular Surgery. In this episode, co-hosts John and Dr. Jesse Columbo are joined by our guest, Dr. Caitlin Hicks, to discuss one of the most studied—and most debated—topics in vascular surgery: asymptomatic carotid stenosis.
 
In this episode, we'll trace that evolution through three pivotal trials: ACAS and ACST-1, which established carotid endarterectomy as the standard of care; and the newly published CREST-2, which challenges us to reconsider everything we thought we knew. Along the way, we'll explore how advances in statin therapy, blood pressure control, and antiplatelet agents have fundamentally changed the natural history of this disease—and what that means for our patients today."
 
Links to Landmark Papers: 
(ACAS) Endarterectomy for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis

 
(ACST-1) 10-year stroke prevention after successful carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic stenosis: a multicentre randomised trial 

 
(CREST-2) Medical Management and Revascularization for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis 

 
Guests:
Dr. Caitlin Hicks, MD (@CaitlinWHicks); Associate Fellowship Program Director, Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy at Johns Hopkins and Director of Research
 
Hosts:
John Culhane, MD (@JohnCulhaneMD); General Surgery Resident, Abrazo Health
Dr. Jesse Columbo, MD; Assistant Professor of The Dartmouth Institute, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth



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*Gore is a financial sponsor of this podcast, which has been independently developed by the presenters and does not constitute medical advice from Gore. Always consult the Instructions for Use (IFU) prior to using any medical device.

Audible Bleeding editors Falen Demsas, an integrated vascular surgery resident at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Sasank Kalipatnapu (@ksasank), a fifth-year general surgery resident at UMass Chan Medical School, are joined by Megan Tracci (@MeganTracci), James Black (@JamesHBlackMD), and Lauren West-Livingston (LWestLivingston) for a discussion following the inaugural SVS Leadership and Advocacy Summit.
In this episode, the group reflects on the importance of surgeon advocacy, highlights key takeaways from the Summit, and discusses how vascular surgeons throughout training and practice can engage in policy, leadership, and organized medicine at local and national levels. The conversation explores the evolving role of advocacy within the Society for Vascular Surgery, including the work of the SVS Advocacy Council and its collaboration across Government Relations, Coding, VA advocacy, and quality and policy initiatives.
Dr. Tracci shares insights from her leadership roles within SVS advocacy efforts and her work as ACS Medical Director for Surgeon Engagement. Dr. Black discusses his longstanding advocacy work on behalf of patients and physicians, including numerous trips to Capitol Hill over the course of his career. Dr. West-Livingston reflects on her experience attending the recent Advocacy & Leadership Conference as a trainee and the importance of resident involvement in advocacy work.
Show Guests
Megan Tracci
Leader within the SVS Advocacy Council, which includes Government Relations, Coding, VA advocacy, and quality and policy collaboration efforts. She also serves as the ACS Medical Director for Surgeon Engagement.
James Black
Chief of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy at Johns Hopkins University and longtime advocate who has made countless trips to Capitol Hill to advocate for patients and physicians.
Lauren West-Livingston
Integrated vascular surgery resident at Duke University and member of the SVS Government Relations Committee who attended the recent Advocacy & Leadership Conference.
Notable Mentions
The inaugural SVS Leadership and Advocacy Summit
Advocacy efforts within the Society for Vascular Surgery, including Government Relations, Coding, VA advocacy, and quality and policy collaboration. Learn more here SVS Advocacy Council
Opportunities for vascular surgeons to engage in advocacy throughout all stages of training and practice. Sign up for updates
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Gore is a financial sponsor of this podcast, which has been independently developed by the presenters and does not constitute medical advice from Gore. Always consult the Instructions for Use (IFU) prior to using any medical device.

Audible Bleeding editor Wen (@WenKawaji) discusses international vascular surgery fellowships with Dr. Judith Lin (@JudithLin4),  Dr. Adam Johnson, and Dr. Robbie Aru (@AruRobbie). Together, they reflect on what drove them abroad, what the experience actually looked like on the ground, and the professional, financial, and personal challenges that came with it. Whether you're a resident exploring your options or simply curious about roads less traveled in surgical training, this conversation offers a candid and practical look at what international fellowships in vascular surgery really entail. A must-listen for anyone considering fellowship training outside the U.S.
 
Articles:
A contemporary guide to an international aortic super-fellowship for surgical trainees and surgeons in the United States

 
Show Guests 
Dr. Judith Lin: professor and chief of vascular surgery in the Department of Surgery at Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine

Dr. Adam Johnson: assistant professor of surgery and assistant professor in population health science at Duke university school of medicine

Dr. Robbie Aru: assistant professor of surgery at Thomas Jefferson university medical college 




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*Gore is a financial sponsor of this podcast, which has been independently developed by the presenters and does not constitute medical advice from Gore. Always consult the Instructions for Use (IFU) prior to using any medical device.

In this episode, we spotlight editorials and abstracts from the Journal of Vascular Surgery Cases, Innovations, and Techniques (JVS-CIT). Editorials and Abstracts are read by Authors as well as members of the SVS Social Media Ambassadors.
Guests:
Isabel Banks, MS4, SLU
Selected publications regarding lower extremity chronic ischemia and the diabetic foot from the Journal of Vascular Surgery: Cases and Innovative Reports 2025, Volume 11
Best of 2025—abdominal aortic and iliac aneurysm
Double anonymous peer review in JVSCIT—lessons from our pilot trial and next steps 
Endovascular stapling with Aortoseal as an adjunct for the hostile neck 
The transcaval approach may be the new route vascular surgeons need in their arsenal 
Intraoperative positioning system-guided antegrade in situ laser fenestration in an aortic model 
Single-center experience using Endologix anatomically fixated endograft device for treatment of aortoiliac occlusive disease 
Short-term  analysis of botulinum toxin A for functional popliteal artery entrapment syndrome 
Comparing neurological complications between endovascular and open surgical repair of the descending thoracic aorta
Hosts:
John Culhane (@JohnCulhaneMD)
Follow us @audiblebleeding, @JVS-CIT
Learn more about us at https://www.audiblebleeding.com/about-1/ and provide us with your feedback with our listener survey.
 
*Gore is a financial sponsor of this podcast, which has been independently developed by the presenters and does not constitute medical advice from Gore. Always consult the Instructions for Use (IFU) prior to using any medical device.

Audible Bleeding editor Wen Kawaji (@WenKawaji) is joined by integrated vascular surgery resident Falen Demsas, 5th-year general surgery resident Sasank Kalipatnapu (@ksasank), JVS editor Dr. Duncan (@ADuncanVasc), and JVS-VL editor Dr. Ruth Bush to discuss some of our favorite articles in the JVS family of journals. This episode hosts Dr. Weaver, student doctor Finn, Dr. Sridharan, and Dr. Anan. 
 
Articles:
 
Evaluating the Vascular Quality Initiative's role in advancing minority health and health disparities research―a scoping review

Catheter-directed interventions versus surgical embolectomy in massive pulmonary embolism

  
Show Guests 
Dr. Weaver: assistant professor of surgery and associate program director of the vascular surgery fellowship at the University of Utah. She is also the director of clinical operations efficiency at the University of Utah. 

Finn Repella: rising 4th medical student at the University of Virginia

Dr. Sridharan: associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Site Chief of vascular surgery at UPMC Mercy.

Dr. Anan: research fellow in the division of vascular surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). She earned her MD from the American University of Beirut. 

 
Notable mentions:
From Bench to Bill: How a Transplant Nuance Became 1 of Only 57 Laws Passed in 2013

 
Follow us @audiblebleeding
Learn more about us at https://www.audiblebleeding.com/about-1/ and provide us with your feedback with our listener survey.
 
*Gore is a financial sponsor of this podcast, which has been independently developed by the presenters and does not constitute medical advice from Gore. Always consult the Instructions for Use (IFU) prior to using any medical device.