VASCUNET

A collaborative network of vascular registries driving quality and research in vascular healthcare across Europe and Australasia.

What Is VASCUNET?

VASCUNET is a collaboration of clinical and administrative vascular registries, supported by the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS).

Established

1997 in Lisbon

Countries involved

26 Members

40+ vascular specialists

Structure & Governance

The participants of the first VASCUNET meeting (T. Troëng, M. Björck, I. Thomson, et al.) achieved a consensual agreement that there should be a common European minimal dataset for vascular registries. An organising committee was set up to organise a session at the meeting for presentation of national vascular registries.

Chair

3-year term

Secretary

Assists coordination

ICVR Co-Chair

Coordinates with the U.S. VQI

National & Regional Representatives

1-2 members per country or region

Ongoing Projects

VASCUNET coordinates international studies across key vascular areas

VASCUNExplants Project

EVAR is a treatment option widely accepted for AAA. One of the most specific complications related to this technique is the appearance of endoleaks, i.e. the existence of blood between the wall of the stent and the wall of the aorta that continues to pressurize the aneurysmal sac increasing the probability of rupture.

Principal Investigator: Cristina Lopez Espada (Spain)

2010-2019 Ruptured and Intact AAA Repair

Analysis of short-term outcomes following either open repair or endovascular aneurysm repair for both intact and ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) from 2010-2019. Ongoing data collection!

Principal Investigator: Jacob Budtz-Lilly (Denmark)

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)

This international audit showed large geographical differences in major amputation rates, by a factor of almost six, and an overall declining time trend during the 4 year observation of this study. Diabetes prevalence, age distribution, and mortality rates were also found to vary between countries. The Global Amputation Study (GAS) is currently ongoing to include more countries and determine underlying factors for the identified differences.

Core Variables & Recommandations

The VASCUNET aims to improve comparability and harmonization of real-world evidence. With several international Delphi consensus studies involving multidisciplinary experts, this collaboration provided a core data set for peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) and acute limb ischaemia. Further projects concerning complex endovascular aortic repair are currently ongoing.

Amputation Practice

Carotid Artery Stenosis

Despite evidence about treatment options for carotid artery disease, the proportion of asymptomatic patients, treatment modality, and the proportion of women and octogenarians vary considerably among and within countries. There was a significant association of treating more asymptomatic patients in countries with fee for service reimbursement. The findings reflect the inconsistency of the existing guidelines and a need for cooperation among guideline committees all over the world.

Principal Investigator: Maarit Venermo (Finland)

Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease

To determine differences in the invasive treatment of symptomatic peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) treatment between countries participating in the VASCUNET and International Consortium of Vascular Registries (ICVR).

Principal Investigator: Christian-Alexander Behrendt (Germany)