Road Trip! Managing a Patient with Lower Extremity Venous Disease
Ruth Bryant, PhD, RN, CWOCN, FAAWC

Who's Traveling on the Venous Disease Journey? An Overview of Venous Disease: Epidemiologic Profile and Risk Factors
Matthew M Melin, MD, FACS, RPVI, FACCWS

Venous disease is a global problem and increasingly becoming more common. This session will explore the epidemiological profile and specific risk factors in Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) and the development of Venous Leg Ulcers (VLUs).  The impact that CVI and VLUs have on health care costs and the patient will be discussed.

What Does the Trip Look Like? Anatomy and Physiology of the Venous System 
Matthew M Melin, MD, FACS, RPVI, FACCWS

Understanding venous anatomy and normal physiology is the cornerstone in selection of management modalities. This session will explore the superficial and deep venous systems.  Additionally, the role of perforator veins and the unique venous valve mechanism are summarized.

Trouble Ahead: Venous Hypertension and Pathophysiology of Venous Ulceration
Alisha R. Oropallo, MD, FACS

Many physiological mechanisms may contribute to the development of a venous leg ulceration. There is clear evidence regarding inflammation as a process in ulcer formation and chronicity. But what sets this off? Learn about the theories and impact of different pathophysiological factors leading to the development of venous hypertension and venous ulceration.

Assessing the Accident Scene: Clinical Evaluation of the Lower Extremity
Maria S. Goddard, MD, CWS, FAPWCA

When presented with a patient with venous ulceration risk factors or an open wound, what is the best way to perform the initial evaluation? This session will assist in “fine-tuning” your history and physical examination in the patient with Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Venous Leg Ulceration.

LUNCH

The Repair Guide Part 1: Diagnostic Tests in Venous Disease
Karen L. Bauer, DNP, APRN-FNP, CWS, FAAWC and Ayman E. Ahmed, MBBC, RPVI

A thorough vascular work-up to elucidate the anatomic and hemodynamics of the lower extremity is essential to help develop a comprehensive plan of care to treat chronic venous insufficiency and the venous leg ulcer. This session will outline the importance of a vascular work up and define which diagnostics should be gathered as part of the process. Diagnostic modalities used in the evaluation of Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Venous Leg Ulceration will be presented.

Fork in the Road: Which Direction Do You Go? Phlebolymphedema, Lipedema, Lymphedema
Catherine R. Ratliff, PhD, GNP-BC, CWOCN, CFCN, FAAN

This session will educate the learner about contributing causes of lower extremity edema. There will be a discussion on the relationship between the lymphatics and the vascular system and what role they play in chronic ulcer management. Educate yourself on the differentiating characteristics among phlebolymphedema, lipedema, and lymphedema.

What Road Am I On? Mixed Disease and Other Confounding Factors Stalling Wound Healing
Alisha R. Oropallo, MD, FACS

Lower extremity ulcers do not always have just one etiology.  Other etiologies or comorbidities play a role in their development and contribute to slow ulcer healing.  We will discuss the common etiologies that affect our patients with lower extremity ulcers to distinguish among contributing factors such as Diabetes, Peripheral Artery Disease, and atypical causes in the patient with concurrent Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Venous Leg Ulceration.

BREAK

Construction Zone Ahead: Surgical Interventions
Mark Whiteley, MS FRCS(Gen) FCPhleb

Once the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the patient’s symptoms, definitive interventions can be employed. This session will outline the various interventional options and when to employ each.

The Repair Guide Part 2: Principles of Wound Healing
Jonathan Johnson, MD, MBA, CWSP

Normal wound healing goes through orderly stages. This session reveals the impact of chronic venous insufficiency and venous leg ulcerations (CVI/VLU) and its associated molecular alterations, inflammation and resultant tissue fibrosis has on altering the wound healing cascade.

My Mama Told Me to Watch Out for Hitchhikers: Bacteriology and Biofilm
Gregory S. Schultz, PhD

The advancing science of bacteria and subsequent biofilm is reviewed in this session. New terminology and the latest biofilm-based management techniques as applied to the venous leg ulceration are explored in this session.

Rebuilding the Superhighway: Advanced Topical Options
Naz Wahab, MD, FAAFP, FAPWCA

While compression is the cornerstone of venous leg ulcer management, many new technologies and topical options are available. This session will present potential management choices and identify criteria in their use across the care continuum.

Are We There Yet? Timelines for Healing
Barbara Bates-Jensen, PhD, RN, FAAWC

Is the wound really improving? Has the patient’s quality of life improved? Compare and contrast normal vs. delayed wound closure and contributing factors in the patient with a venous leg ulcer.  Quality measures and validated outcome tools are incorporated into this session.

Live Q&A: Case Review
Moderator, Ruth Bryant, PhD, RN, CWOCN, FAAWC

This interactive session aims to intertwine panel discussion with participant involvement to synthesize key concepts in the assessment and management of the patient who presents with VLU. Attendees are invited to submit a case to present to the panel (a link to submit a case will be included in the registration confirmation email).

Introduction to Compression Day

Ruth Bryant, PhD, RN, CWOCN, FAAWC

Managing Speed Traps: Principles of Compression
John C. Lantis II, MD

This session describes the mechanism of action of external compression on the venous system and impact on the lymphatics. General principles in choosing and using compression to improve structural abnormalities to promote and maintain optimal venous function are presented.

The Traffic Cop Rule Book: Compression Therapy ~ Edema, Management/Decongestion Phase
Karen L. Bauer, DNP, APRN-FNP, CWS, FAAWC

Management of the venous leg ulcer and its concomitant edema is first addressed through a variety of modalities. Learn why stiffness and pressure matter in compression selection. An overview of the variety of compression options, how to choose them correctly and other interventions are described. This engaging session also provides practical management tips addressing reimbursement and patient considerations.

It's Pedal to the Metal! Compression Therapy ~ Maintenance Phase
Marta H. Ostler, PT, CWS, CLT, DAPWCA, FAAWC

In this session, prevention of ulceration recurrence is key to quality of life for the patient with a venous leg ulceration. In addition to defining the maintenance phase of compression therapy, changing, or adding additional compression modalities to augment the management of chronicity is addressed. As in Part 1, this session will discuss practical management tips in product selection, reimbursement, and patient engagement considerations.

LUNCH

Rules of the Road: Patient Engagement
Kara S. Couch, MS, CRNP, CWCN-AP, FAAWC

This session seeks to gather an in-depth understanding of the common barriers to adherence seen in the patient with chronic venous insufficiency and venous leg ulcerations and identify strategies to enhance mutual collaboration and cooperation.

Case Review Panel Discussion with Live Q&A
Moderator, Ruth Bryant, PhD, RN, CWOCN, FAAWC

This interactive session aims to intertwine panel discussion with participant involvement to synthesize key concepts in patient and modality selection and utilization of compression therapy. Attendees are invited to submit a case to present to the panel (a link to submit a case will be included in the registration confirmation email).

Guidance and Instruction for Learners Attending Compression Skills Validation Workshops Taking Place on April 17 and 18
Ruth A. Bryant, PhD, RN, CWOCN, FAAWC

In the week between the conference and workshop, each learner will make a video demonstrating their skills assessing the lower extremity of a patient, applying appropriate compression, educating their patient and documenting the experience. These videos will be critiqued by the expert leading the small group discussion.