Presidential address, 1989. The future of vascular surgery in Canada

There has been an explosion of technology in the field of vascular surgery in the latter half of the 1980s. Laser procedures, atherectomy catheterization, intra-arterial stenting and balloon angioplasty have all been demonstrated, with varied degrees of success, to play a role in the management of the patient with vascular disease. Vascular surgeons must be wary of unproven devices that come complete with extravagant claims of success. But, they should also show an interest in new technology as it comes along and should be prepared to become involved in its scientific evaluation. Some of these techniques, perhaps in a more refined state, will play an important role in patient care in the future. Vascular surgeons in Canada must also develop their interests and knowledge of circulatory hemodynamics by committing themselves to using duplex scanning equipment in their diagnostic vascular laboratories. Such laboratories must be staffed by thoroughly trained directors and technologists, and to do this, we must look to making vascular laboratory training part of the requirements for fellowship in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.