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I had such a great time and learned a lot at the 2015 SVU Annual Conference, I cannot wait to go again next year! Here are 5 things that I learned while visiting Las Vegas for the conference:

1. I learned that the east-coast and west-coast do indeed do things differently. On the final day of the conference there was a debate regarding the value of PVR and segmentals. I am a west-coaster, so I tend to lean toward that line of thinking. However, I do see the value in ABI’s and using them as a screening tool before doing a full lower extremity arterial.
2. ECA, CCA and SCA criteria are hard to find. Heather Gornik did an amazing job finding criteria for all of these vessels. For example, a study found that ECA velocities >130 cm/s is consistent with a 50% stenosis and velocities >220 cm/s is consistent with a 75% stenosis. Interestingly, these criteria will change if there is an ipsilateral stenosis.
3. Lois Hermann taught us how important it is to take care of ourselves so that we can take care of others. She says it’s important to “move your body, eat healthy, sleep well, choose mindfulness, and enjoy heart centered fun.”
4. At the hands on session I went to several booths where I was taught to test for TOS and to do an Allen’s Test, I also learned a bit about echocardiography.
5. DRIL and HeRo are two types of hemodialysis access that I had not heard of. DRIL is used when the access that is already put in place is causing a steal, a second graft is connected proximal and distal to the distal anastomosis of the hemodialysis access, and then the native artery is ligated between the two distal anastomoses.