Research Hub
Research has always been an important focus of the American Venous Forum as it leads to innovations and better treatment of venous disease.
Consider the treatment of varicose veins. Many of you will recall the practice of vein stripping in the not-so- distant past. About 20 years ago, endovenous laser and radiofrequency ablations were introduced as less invasive techniques to close the saphenous vein. More recently, we have seen the introduction of devices using a non-thermal approach. With each of these new techniques, it began with a hypothesis and then a concept which was followed by research studies to demonstrate safety and efficacy.
It is important to recognize that these new devices are only the latest chapter, but not the last chapter in the treatment of varicose veins. Varicose veins likely began once human started to walk upright. Hippocrates described varicose veins and their treatment prior to 370 BC and experiments in the treatment of varicose veins have gone on for millenniums.
Varicose veins are just one example. Now consider DVT, May Thurner syndrome, and other venous conditions. Our journey in venous and lymphatic research is potentially endless and the American Venous Forum is committed to leading the way.
- AVF Research Achievements – The American Venous Forum is committed to funding and conducting cutting-edge venous and lymphatic research. This list provides information on current AVF research initiatives and links to outcomes of past AVF research projects.
- Featured Research Articles – Links to timely research articles relevant to the field of venous and lymphatic disease science, diagnosis and treatment.
- Handbook of Venous Disorders – Written and edited by leaders and founding members of the AVF, the fourth, revised and expanded edition of the Handbook of Venous Disorders provides valuable information on the evaluation and treatment of venous and lymphatic diseases and malformations.
Featured Researcher
Eri Fukaya, MD, PhD, FAHA, FSVM
Dr. Fukaya is a member of the American Venous Forum, a Clinical Associate Professor (Vascular Surgery) at Stanford University School of Medicine, the Program Director of the Vascular Medicine Fellowship and Associate Medical Director of the Vascular Center and Vascular Diagnostic Laboratory.
Dr. Fukaya has research interests in understanding the genetic underpinnings of chronic venous disease (CVD) especially in relation to epigenetics. She is also performing clinical studies on evaluating new diagnostic modalities for CVD and understanding the epidemiology and pathology of venous leg ulcers.
Dr. Fukaya was awarded the 2020 AVF-JOBST Research Grant for her project; “A New Diagnostic Modality For Chronic Venous Disease.”
Dr. Fukaya has provided links to some of her published research below.
Fukaya E, Flores A, Lindholm D, Gustafsson S, Zanetti D, Ingelsson E, Leeper NJ: Clinical and Genetic Determinants of Varicose Veins Prospective, Community-Based Study of ≈500000. Circulation 2018 Dec 138:2869–2880
Baylis RA, Smith NL, Klarin D, Fukaya E: Epidemiology and Genetics of Venous Thromboembolism and Chronic Venous Disease. Circulation Research 2021;128:1988–2002
