Endovascular training of vascular surgeons: have we made progress?

The rapid evolution of catheter-based technologies during the last 5 years has created a critical need for development of effective resident level and postgraduate education programs in both open and endovascular techniques and associated cognitive and clinical skills. Currently, significant variability exists in endovascular training formats and in the number of endovascular procedures performed during the course of a graduate or postgraduate program. Little information on the quality of these programs exists and in the subsequent practice patterns of the trainees. This report reviews recommended credentialing requirements, training paradigms, and the growing experience of vascular surgical trainees since 2000.