February 2025 update

The Vascular and Endovascular Research Network have been busy since our last update. In late 2024, data collection and validation for the Surgical Site Infection in Major Lower Limb Amputation (SIMBA) study came to an end and the Blood Loss Anaemia and Haemostasis management in vascular surgery (BLAST) study closed to site recruitment. The Arm Ischaemia Study (ARMIES) continues to collect valuable data on acute limb ischaemia and is due to close to new recruitment at the end of March. Following the success of SIMBA, we encourage trainees to get involved with the Surgical Site Infection in Major Lower Limb Amputation – Transmetatarsal Extension (SIMBA-T) which launches on 01/03/2025.

It was a pleasure to meet with friends and colleagues again at the Vascular Societies’ Annual Scientific Meeting in Brighton. We were extremely proud of committee member Nina Al-Saadi for winning the poster prize for the ‘Greener Vascular Surgery survey’ and that Ismay Fabre won the BJS prize presenting the SIMBA study – congratulations to you both! There was an excellent turn out again to the Dragon’s Den session, we are grateful to all who attended and to the Dragons: Matthew Popplewell, Philip Stather, Ankur Thapar, Tristan Lane, and Ashish Patel. We congratulate Hannah Daysley for winning the competition and look forward to working with her to deliver the project ‘Carbon Emissions in Lower Limb Bypass Surgery’.

Earlier in February, we advertised for a new committee member position: Allied Health Professional representative, thank you for all who have applied thus far. We are excited for this committee expansion and our future collaboration.

For further information and links to study registration, please visit our website (www.vascular-research.net) and follow us on X for regular updates (@VascResearchNet).

Brenig Gwilym
Specialty Registrar,
Vascular Surgery Honorary Research Fellow, Cardiff University