
Surgical Anti-reflux Venous Valve Endoprosthesis
Ongoing Pivotal Study to Evaluate VenoValve® for the Treatment of Chronic Venous Insufficiency
About the trial
What is the
SAVVE study?
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) occurs when the valves inside the veins of your leg do not function properly, causing blood to flow backwards and pool in the lower leg, leading to elevated venous pressure inside the leg veins.
The purpose of the SAVVE study is to determine whether the VenoValve is a safe and effective treatment for patients with severe, deep venous CVI.
What is the
VenoValve
procedure?
The VenoValve is surgically implanted into a vein via a 5-to-6 inch incision in the upper thigh under general or regional anesthesia.
After the VenoValve procedure, the patient will stay in the hospital for one night for patient comfort.
How long is the
SAVVE study?
The patient will be asked to see their doctor 7 days, 30 days, 90 days, 180 days, and 365 days after the VenoValve procedure. The VenoValve is designed to be a permanent implant and the patient should continue to see their doctor once a year for at least the next 4 years.
What is VenoValve
What is the VenoValve Procedure?
Am I the first patient to receive the VenoValve?
Positive first-in-human results
In a first-in-human (FIH) clinical study, the VenoValve was evaluated in eleven patients with severe CVI. In addition to monitoring safety, the FIH study was designed with the same efficacy endpoints (reflux, VCSS score, VAS score, VEINS Quality of life score) being used in the ongoing SAVVE pivotal study.
The VenoValve had no device-related safety issues during the FIH study and all efficacy endpoints, reflux, CVSS and VAS, demonstrated a significant improvement following implantation of the device. All patients experienced statistically significant improvements in the quality of their lives, by a measure of VEINES Qol scores. In patients with active venous ulcers, there was dramatic ulcer healing with no ulcer recurrence.
First-In-human Trial: Improvement is Maintained for 3 Years1
Substantial Improvement in All Endpoints

1. In Year 1 of the study adverse events included 1 seroma, 3 minor wound infections, 1 over anticoagulation and 1 occlusion due to patient non-compliance. In Year 2 there were no reported adverse events and in Year 3, there was one occlusion due to patient non-compliance; 2.Three year results for 8 patients compared to Pre-VenoValve levels.
Venous Ulcer Healing
Although the study results were very encouraging, there is no guarantee that you will have the same or similar results, that your CVI will improve, and that your condition(s) will not worsen.
Am I eligible for the study?
Patients with severe CVI who experience symptoms including leg swelling, discoloration, heaviness, itchiness, pain, and open sores that are difficult to heal, may be candidates for the SAVVE study. Please contact us to determine if you qualify for the SAVVE study.

Male and Female

Adult Patients

Chronic, axial deep
venous reflux secondary
to previous deep venous thrombosis or primary reflux

Failed at least 3 months of standard care including compression therapy, and in C6 patients, wound care
Am I a Candidate to Participate in the SAVVE Study?
Active Sites
Albany Medical Center
391 Myrtle Ave,
Albany, NY 12208
PI Name: Dr. Adriana Laser
Primary Contact: Brenda Romeo
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
La Cienega Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
PI Name: Dr. NavYash Gupta
Primary Contact: Denice Dubuclet
Coastal Vascular and Interventional
7720 US 98 West, Suite 240
Destin, FL 32550
PI Name: Dr. Geoffrey Risley
Primary Contact: Michele Schindler
Henry Ford Health System
2799 West Grand Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48202
PI Name: Dr. Paul Corcoran
Primary Contact: Romy Ancog
Houston Methodist Hospital
6550 Fannin St.
Houston, TX 77030
PI Name: Dr. Eric Peden
Primary Contact: Kikelomo Akindoju
Indiana University
1801 North Senate Blvd., D3500
Indianapolis, IN 46202
PI Name: Dr. Raghu Motaganahalli
Primary Contact: Janet Klein
Jobst Vascular Institute /
Promedica Toledo Hospital
2109 Hughes Drive, CJT STE. 400
Toledo, OH 43606
PI Name: Dr. Gregory Kasper
Primary Contact: Christy Terrasi
Kaleidahealth/University at Buffalo
100 High St.
Buffalo, NY 14203
PI Name: Dr. Linda Harris
Primary Contact: Robin Stein
Lankenau Medical Center
100 E Lancaster Ave.
Wynnewood, PA 19096
PI Name: Dr. Vincent DiGiovanni
Primary Contact: Shefali Bansal
Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit St.
Boston, MA 02114
PI Name: Dr. Luis Suarez
Primary Contact: Tara Bresnahan
Miami Vascular Specialists
8950 N. Kendall Drive
Miami, FL 33176
PI Name: Dr. Michele Taubman
Primary Contact: Keivy Garcia
NYU Langone
530 1st Ave, HCC6F
New York, NY 10016
PI Name: Dr. Mikel Sadek
Primary Contact: Gina Bernardez
Pima Heart and Vascular
2404 E River Road, Suite 100
Tucson, AZ 85718
PI Name: Dr. Scott S Berman
Primary Contact: Aleksander Herber (520) 576.4133
Saint Louis University
1008 S Spring Ave.
Saint Louis, MO 63110
PI Name: Dr. Matthew Smeds
Primary Contact: (314) 977.4730
St. Peter's Vascular Associates
2 New Hampshire Ave.
Troy, NY 12180
PI Name: Dr. Kathleen Ozsvath
Primary Contact: Debbie Goodman
Sentara
600 Gresham Drive
Norfolk, VA 23507
PI Name: Dr. David Dexter
Primary Contact: Sarah Have
The Mount Sinai Hospital
1190 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10029
PI Name: Dr. Windsor Ting
Primary Contact: Sarah McCracken
TriHealth
375 Dixmyth Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45220
PI Name: Dr. Patrick Muck
Primary Contact: Melody Vespie
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy
BDB 652, 1808 7th Ave. South
Birmingham, AL 35294
PI Name: Dr. Marc Passman
Primary Contact: Rebecca St. John
University of Chicago
5841 S. Maryland Ave., MC 5028
Chicago, IL 60637
PI Name: Dr. Chelsea Dorsey
Primary Contact: MacKenton Johnson
University Hospitals Cleveland
Medical Center
11100 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44106
PI Name: Dr. Karem Harth
Primary Contact: Emily Mullenax
UPMC
5200 Centre Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
PI Name: Dr. Rabih Chaer
Primary Contact: Julianna Sheline
University of Utah
30 N. 1900 East, Room 3C344 SOM
Salt Lake City, UT 84132
PI Name: Dr. Claire L. Griffin
Primary Contact: Julie Hales
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
D-5237 Med Center North,
1161 21st Ave. South
Nashville, TN 37232
PI Name: Dr. Mark Iafrati
Primary Contact: Celia Nunez
Yale New Haven Hospital
330 Cedar St, Boardman 204
New Haven, CT 06510
PI Name: Dr. Cassius Iyad Ochoa Chaar
Primary Contact: Edgar Benitez
Active Sites
Who are the Principal Investigators?

Dr. Adriana Laser, MD
Albany Medical Center, Albany NY PI
Dr. Adriana Laser is fellowship trained and board certified in vascular surgery. She specializes in the operative and non-operative management of venous insufficiency, varicose veins, deep and superficial venous thrombosis, and lymphatic conditions.
Other areas of specialized interest are taking care of peripheral arterial disease, carotid artery disease, wound care, and arteriovenous access for hemodialysis patients.
Dr. Laser practices at Adriana Laser, MD Practice located at 1201 Nott St in Suite 202 in Schenectady, NY 12308 (Schenectady County).
Dr. Laser has 14 years of experience in vascular surgery.
Education
Adriana Laser, MD earned a degree of a Doctor of Medicine.
Licenses and Affiliations
Adriana Laser, MD has been registered with the National Provider Identifier database since June 07, 2007, and her NPI number is 1073716049.

Dr. Gregory Kasper, MD
Jobst Vascular Institute, Toledo, OH PI
President and Professor of Surgery Jobst Vascular Institute Promedica Healthcare System
Dr. Kasper has been practicing vascular surgery in Toledo for more than 15 years. In 2015, Dr. Kasper was named president and chief medical officer of Jobst Vascular Institute.
Dr. Kasper was born and raised in Toledo and returned after completing his medical training. Dr. Kasper and his wife, Christina, have three sons. Both Dr. and Mrs. Kasper are active in charitable work and enjoy travel and golfing.
Medical School
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Residency
Good Samaritan Hospital
Fellowship
Endovascular Fellowship, Arizona Heart Institute
Fellowship
Peripheral Vascular Surgery Fellowship, Good Samaritan Hospital
Providing leadership and strategic direction for the Promedica Healthcare System and the Jobst Vascular Institute. As Vice President of Medical Affairs I help align strategic goals with the expertise of our healthcare professionals to provide the highest quality cost efficient care.

Dr. Mikel Sadek, MD
NYU Langone Health – New York, NY PI
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine; Director, NYU Langone Vein Center; Associate Program Director, Vascular Surgery Residency and Fellowship
I was always fascinated with the human body, having grown up in a household of physicians. It was more than intellectual fascination—I knew that as a doctor I’d be able to lead a life of service. Moreover, I felt that if I could save one life in the course of my career, I would feel fulfilled.
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine; Director, NYU Langone Vein Center; Associate Program Director, Vascular Surgery Residency and Fellowship
I was always fascinated with the human body, having grown up in a household of physicians. It was more than intellectual fascination—I knew that as a doctor I’d be able to lead a life of service. Moreover, I felt that if I could save one life in the course of my career, I would feel fulfilled.
During medical school, I realized that surgeons are frequently the last line of defense between life and death. My lifelong profession was decided. I began my surgical training here, at NYU Langone, in 2004.
My interests drove me to specialize in vascular surgery, treating people with peripheral arterial disease, a condition affecting blood vessels. Part of the appeal was NYU Langone’s increasing use of minimally invasive endovascular techniques to repair blood vessels.
The use of minimally invasive techniques inspired me to research aortic aneurysms, participate in national meetings, and develop a more thorough understanding of vascular surgery. Since then, I’ve developed a particular interest in chronic venous insufficiency—weakened vein walls and valves—and in studying treatments that improve patients’ quality of life and advance the field of vascular surgery.
As a clinician, I want to create an environment in which I can have an open and clear dialogue with my patients. Treatment is often more successful when patients can participate in their own care and are educated by their physicians. Overall, I strive to provide the most effective and advanced combination of medical, endovascular, and open surgical techniques, as directed by the patient’s medical condition and needs.

Dr. Scott Berman, MD, MHA, RVT, FACS, DFSVS
Pima Heart and Vascular Tuscon, AZ PI
Hahnemann University School of Medicine
Dr. Berman received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Penn State University and a doctor of medicine degree from Hahnemann University. Following a general surgery residency in Virginia, he completed a vascular surgery fellowship at the University of Arizona. He opened his vascular surgery practice in Tucson in 1994 and has been the leader in southern Arizona vascular care introducing new technologies and treatment approaches including endovascular aneurysm repair for aortic aneurysms, carotid angioplasty and stenting, percutaneous peripheral vascular procedures and novel surgical techniques for hemodialysis access. He recently received a Master’s degree in Health Policy and Administration from Penn State University. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications in the field of vascular disease along with 14 book chapters and a textbook on hemodialysis access. He is a member of regional, national and international societies devoted to the care of vascular disease patients. In recognition of his contributions, he was selected as a Distinguished Fellow for the Society of Vascular Surgery. He currently serves as the medical director for the Rocky Mountain Vascular Quality Initiative and is on the executive council of the Society for Vascular Surgery’s Patient Safety Organization.

Dr. David Dexter, MD
Sentara Hospital, Norfolk, VA PI
Dr. Dexter earned his bachelor's degree at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH before enrolling in the State University of New York at Syracuse Upstate Medical University where he received his medical degree in 2004. He went on to University of Maryland Medical Center where he completed his general surgery training in 2010. During this time he also completed a one year fellowship in surgical research, publishing in several different subjects. In his last year he served as the administrative chief resident for the department of surgery. Dr. Dexter continued fellowship training in vascular and endovascular surgery at New York University in New York City. During his training he spent time abroad in Shanghai, China learning advanced aortic surgical techniques. As a published author, he has written and presented on arterial and venous disease at numerous medical conferences across the United States. As a vascular surgeon, Dr. Dexter is uniquely trained in the diagnosis and management of diseases affecting the vascular system, which includes arteries, veins and lymphatics, and specializes in endovascular surgery, the minimally invasive approach to vascular surgery. Dr. Dexter is certified by the American Board of Surgery. He is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Peripheral Vascular Surgical Society, the Society of Vascular Surgery and the American Medical Association. Dr. Dexter practices with Sentara Vascular Specialists and sees patients at our Virginia Beach location.

Dr. Patrick Edward Muck, MD
TriHealth Heart Institute – Good Samaritan Hospital Cincinnati, OH PI
Professor of Surgery, Director, Wound Management Center
While his roots and educational background span the Tristate, Dr. Muck has gained national and international attention for his research and expertise in vascular surgery. A Northern Kentucky native and graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Muck chose to specialize in vascular surgery because of the immediate impact it can have on improving a patient's quality of life. Dr. Muck has shared his research and knowledge with peers at national and international meetings of many medical organizations. He also works with his colleagues at the TriHealth Heart Institute to host training courses to teach the newest vascular techniques to physicians from around the world. Dr. Muck specializes in minimally invasive treatment of all types of problems of the circulatory system, including: Aortic aneurysms, Carotid artery disease, Chronic venous insufficiency, Deep vein thrombosis, Peripheral vascular disease and Varicose veins. As director of the TriHealth Vascular Fellowship Program, Dr. Muck advances vascular care in the Tristate and nationally by training the next generation of vascular surgeons. He also has led numerous clinical trials at TriHealth, which offer the newest vascular treatments to patients.
SVS Document Oversight Committee member
Provide oversight and review of SVS documents and multispecialty consensus documents.

Dr. Cassius Iyad Ochoa Chaar MD, MS, RPVI
Yale School of Medicine – New Haven, CT PI
Associate Professor of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery
Dr. Cassius Iyad Ochoa Chaar, MD, MS, is an associate professor of surgery in the division of vascular surgery and endovascular therapy. He is seeing patients at the Yale Physicians Building. He is a board-certified in general surgery and vascular surgery, and is a registered vascular specialist in the interpretation of vascular laboratory studies. Dr. Chaar’s clinical interests include peripheral artery disease (PAD) focusing on patients with critical limb ischemia and limb salvage, varicose veins, aortic and visceral aneurysms, carotid disease, deep vein thrombosis, and dialysis vascular access. He completed his graduate and medical degrees at American University of Beirut, Lebanon. He spent his general surgery residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital, and subsequently finished a fellowship in vascular and endovascular surgery at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Education & Training Fellow
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (2011)
Chief Resident
Yale New Haven Hospital (2009)
Resident
Yale New Haven Hospital (2008)
Post-Doctoral research fellow
Cleveland Clinic Foundation (2004)
MD
American University of Beirut (2002)
MS
American University of Beirut (2000)

Dr. Michele Taubman, MD, FACS
Miami Vascular Specialists – Miami, FL PI
Miami Vascular Specialists/ Radiology Associates of South FL Endovascular and Vascular Surgery, Miami, FL
Dr. Michele Taubman was delighted to return to Miami following completion of her Vascular Surgery Fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, in 2015. She is a graduate of the University of Miami Medical School and General Surgery Residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Dr. Taubman’s training in complex endovascular and open vascular procedures both complements and elevates the services provided by Miami Vascular Specialists. Special interests include aortic aneurysms, peripheral arterial disease and limb salvage, dialysis access, varicose veins, and thoracic outlet syndrome. She also follows patients with carotid disease and offers surgical endarterectomy or transcarotid arterial revascularization (TCAR) when appropriate. She enjoys working closely with her patients and their families.
Dr. Taubman is fluent in Spanish and is Board Certified.

Dr. Rabih Chaer, MD
UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA PI
Dr. Rabih Chaer is a Professor of Surgery, Site chief of the Presbyterian campus of the division of Vascular Surgery at UPMC, and program director of the residency and fellowship programs at UPMC. Dr. Chaer joined the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC in 2006 after completing his vascular training at New York Presbyterian hospital of Columbia and Cornell. After joining UPMC, Dr. Chaer earned a master’s degree in clinical sciences at the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Chaer is a member of numerous professional and scientific societies, including the Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery, the American College of Surgeons, the Society for Vascular Surgery, the Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery, and the American Surgical Association. He is a distinguished fellow of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the American Venous Forum and is a past president of the Eastern Vascular Society. Author and co-author of over 200 peer reviewed publications. Dr. Chaer has also contributed to several clinical practice guidelines, book chapters and editorials and has given numerous national and international invited presentations on arterial and venous pathology. Dr. Chaer is a reviewer for the Journal of Vascular Surgery, Annals of Vascular Surgery, Annals of Surgery, and the Journal of Endovascular Therapy.
Dr. Chaer’s clinical research interests focus on AAA pathobiology and risk of rupture, and the genetic determinants of venous stasis ulcerations. He is also the co-PI of the Sunset PE trial, a randomized controlled trial comparing different modalities for PE catheter directed thrombolysis.
Dr. Chaer is interested in surgical education and wellness research, and currently serves on the research committee of the American Board of Surgery as well as the Video Based Assessment committee. Dr. Chaer is the past chair of the SVS Education council, is a current Councilor of the American Board of Surgery and a Director of the Vascular Surgery Board. He enjoys fitness training and the outdoors, including triathlons, and long distance running.

Dr. NavYash Gupta , MD
Cedars Sinai Medical Center,Los Angeles, CA PI
Dr. NavYash Gupta is an Associate Professor of Surgery at Cedars Sinai Medical Center and Medical Director of the Venous Program. He came to Cedars Sinai in July of 2017. Before coming to Cedars Sinai Dr. Gupta served as Chief of the Division of Vascular Surgery at NorthShore University HealthSystem in Evanston, Illinois from 2009 to 2017. Prior to that he was an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh from 2000-2009. He completed his vascular training at the University of Chicago Medical Center in 1998.
Dr. Gupta is certified by the American Board of Surgery with a certificate of special qualifications in Vascular Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is a member of numerous professional societies including the Society for Vascular Surgery, the Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery, the Western Surgical Association, the South Asian Association of Vascular Surgery and he was appointed SoCal VOICe representative for National Venous Research Advisory Council in January of 2020.
Dr. Gupta has been involved in clinical and translational research throughout his career resulting in multiple peer-reviewed publications and reports, reviews, book chapters and abstracts from national and international meetings. He has given numerous invited talks and has been a mentor for over 20 pre-medical students.
Among his other honors are the Patient Choice Award, Compassionate Doctor Recognition, Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Chicago (2014) and being recognized as a Top Doctor by Los Angeles Magazine (2020, 2021 and 2022).
Dr Gupta has had a long-standing interest in hemodialysis access for patients with end stage renal disease as well as minimally invasive endovascular surgery for the treatment of venous disease, abdominal and thoracic aortic pathology, carotid artery occlusive disease and peripheral vascular disease.

Dr. Chelsea Dorsey, MD, RPVI
University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL PI
Chelsea Dorsey, MD, is a board certified vascular surgeon with years of experience treating arterial and venous conditions. As the Director of the UCM Vein Clinic, she is dedicated to tackling venous disease with a multipronged approach including medical management, minimally invasive techniques, and surgical intervention. She will work with her patients to develop a plan of care that is both effective and patient-centered. A committed educator and mentor, Dr. Dorsey also regularly teaches medical students, residents and fellows about vascular disease management.
Specialties
Endovascular surgery, limb preservation, wound care, vein disorders.
Education
Undergraduate: BA, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 2006
Medical School: MD, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, 2010
Residency: Stanford University, Stanford, California, 2015
Board Certifications
Vascular Surgery – Board Certified (2016)

Dr. Claire Griffin, MD
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT PI
Dr. Claire Griffin grew up in England and moved to the United States in 1991. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Florida State University before heading to medical school at the University of Florida. Her training continued at the University of Florida where she completed her residency in General Surgery. She went on to do a Vascular Surgery fellowship at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center where her training included innovative endovascular approaches to the treatment of complex aortic disease, as well as open and endovascular techniques for limb salvage.
Dr. Griffin joined the University of Utah Department of Surgery and Division of Vascular Surgery with an interest in the entire spectrum of vascular pathology and a special interest in complex endovascular solutions to aortic disease.
Since arriving at the University of Utah, Dr. Griffin has pursued a Master's in Clinical Investigation with a particular focus on cost-effectiveness research. Additional research interests include heritability of aortic aneurysms and advancing shared decision making in the Vascular space. In 2017, Dr. Griffin, along with Dr. Jason Glotzbach in Cardiothoracic Surgery started the Aortic Disease Program which has subsequently gained institutional recognition as a Destination Care Program. Their work has significantly expanded the volume of thoracic aortic pathology treated at the University of Utah. Most recently, Dr. Griffin has become the Co-Director of the third-year surgery clerkship to expand upon her role as an educator.

Dr. Matthew Smeds, MD
Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO PI
Dr. Smeds is a tenured professor of surgery at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He is the former chief of the division of vascular and endovascular surgery and program director for the vascular surgery training programs. He is an active clinician, educator, and researcher, with over 100 peer reviewed manuscripts and abstracts and has been involved in several clinical trials as institutional principal investigator. He is active in committees of the Society for Vascular Surgery, the Vascular Endovascular Surgery Society, and the American Venous Forum, and is the in-coming editor-in-chief of the Journal of Vascular Surgery Cases, Innovations, and Techniques.

Dr. Raghu Motaganahalli, MD
Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN PI
Dr. Raghu Motaganahalli, is a Professor of Surgery at the Indiana University School of Medicine and an attending Surgeon at the Indiana University Methodist Hospital. He is the Division Chief of Vascular Surgery and the Program director of vascular surgery training programs.
He completed his general and vascular surgery residency training at St Louis University School of Medicine , St Louis -Missouri . He is a distinguished fellow of the Society for Vascular Surgery, Fellow of The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an Associate member of the Academy of Master Surgeon Educators.
He serves as the President of the Midwestern Vascular Surgical Society (2021-22) besides serving as the Past-President of the Indiana State Chapter American College of Surgeons. He serves SVS, Midwestern Vascular Surgical Society , Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery, American Board of Surgery
He serves on the editorial board of Annals of Vascular Surgery, Vascular endovascular surgery, VSCORE . He is the principal investigator of over 15 clinical trials in vascular surgery at The Indiana University School of Medicine and currently serves as the US National Principal Investigator for DW-MRI Transcarotid revascularization. Dr. Motaganahalli, has over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts, book chapters and abstracts. He routinely presents his work at several at national, international medical conferences.

Dr. Linda Harris, MD
University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY PI
Dr. Linda Harris is a Professor of Surgery at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo. Clinically she primarily practices at Buffalo General Medical Center. She has been board certified in Vascular Surgery and General Surgery continuously since graduation. She is the program director of the residency and fellowship programs at UB, and served as the Division Chief for Vascular Surgery for over 2 decades. Dr. Harris joined the University of Buffalo in 1995 after completing her vascular training at UB.
Dr. Harris is a member and leader in numerous professional and scientific societies, including Past President of the Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery, Past President of the Eastern Vascular Society, and past Governor for the American College of Surgeons. She also serves on the Strategic Board of the Society for Vascular Surgery, and is a member of the Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery, the Society for University Surgeons, and the American Venous Forum. She has also organized and run the Womens Vascular Health Summit. She serves on the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission, and has served on the Residency Review Committee of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. She is a distinguished fellow of the Society for Vascular Surgery. She has authored and co-authored over 100 peer reviewed publications, and 20 book chapters, including serving as editor for 2 vascular textbooks, and associate editor for another. She has also given numerous national and international invited presentations on a wide array of vascular diseases. Dr. Harris sits on the editorial board for the Journal of Vascular Surgery, the Journal of Vascular Surgery, Venous & Lymphatic, and also reviews for the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, and Annals of Vascular Surgery, as well as several other journals.
Dr. Harris’s clinical research interests focus on peripheral arterial disease, arteriovenous dialysis access, aortic aneurysms, as well as treatment of deep vein thrombosis. She also has a significant interest in surgical education.
She currently serves as a senior examiner for the American Board of Surgery for the vascular surgical examination, and has participated in the committee on Maintenance of Certification for the Vascular Board, writing questions for the exam for several years. Dr. Harris is the current chair of the SVS Education council.

Dr. Marc Passman, MD
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL PI
Dr. Passman is currently on faculty at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in the Division of Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy, Department of Surgery as a Professor of Surgery. He is an American Board of Surgery diplomate in vascular surgery and practices the full spectrum of arterial and venous surgery. He is also the Director of the UAB Vein Program which provides inpatient and outpatient care to patients with a range of venous problems. Dr. Passman earned his AB degree in biochemistry and government, graduating magna cum laude from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. In 1991, he received his M.D. degree from the University of Vermont’s School of Medicine in Burlington and then completed an internship and residency in general surgery at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland (1991-1997). He completed a fellowship in vascular surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1999). He was previously on faculty at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, before joining the UAB faculty in 2006. He has authored numerous journal articles and book chapters and is on the editorial board for the Journal of Vascular Surgery, and Annals of Vascular Surgery. He is also involved in several national medical societies, holding leadership positions in the Peripheral Vascular Society, and the American Venous Forum, and the Society for Vascular Surgery. He is past president of the American Venous Forum, and the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society.

Dr. Karem Harth, MD, MHS, RPVI
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH PI
Karem C. Harth, MD, MHS, RPVI, is a board-certified vascular surgeon and registered physician in vascular interpretation. She serves as Director of the Center for Comprehensive Venous Care and Co-Medical Director of Vascular Laboratories at University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute. In addition, she is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
Dr. Harth earned her medical degree from the Stony Brook School of Medicine in New York. She also completed a Master of Health Science at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Harth then completed a general surgery residency and vascular surgery fellowship at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.
Dr. Harth is an active member of multiple national professional organizations, including the Society for Vascular Surgery, American Venous Forum, Society for Vascular Ultrasound, American College of Surgeons and Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery (SCVS). She has given multiple lectures at regional, national and international society meetings.
Dr. Harth has been a contributing author on over 100 articles and abstracts in peer-reviewed journals and major societal meetings. She also serves as a manuscript reviewer for such highly regarded publications as Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Journal of Vascular Surgery, Journal of Vascular Medicine, and Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders.
Dr. Harth treats a wide range of vascular diseases and is especially interested in the treatment of venous disease. She has earned research support related to chronic venous thrombosis, ventral hernia repair and vascular access techniques. She is a recipient of the Faculty Teaching Award in the Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapies at UH Cleveland Medical Center and has been named multiple times as a Top Doctor by Cleveland Magazine.

Dr. Luis Suarez, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA PI
Dr. Suarez received his medical degree in Central University in Caracas, Venezuela in 2004. He completed his general surgery residency at Yale New Haven Hospital in 2014, followed by a Vascular surgery fellowship at Tufts Medical Center in 2016. Before his appointment at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Suarez practiced as a vascular surgeon and assistant professor of surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, where he also had significant involvement in creating and growing an affiliated practice at Lowell General Hospital.
Dr. Suarez is a board-certified vascular surgeon, registered physician in vascular interpretation, fellow of the American College of Surgeons and member of the Society for Vascular Surgery. His research focuses mostly on clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness in treatment of venous insufficiency and peripheral vascular disease following intervention. He is also an active participant in the education of residents, fellows and medical students.

Dr. Geoffrey Risley, MD
Coastal Vascular and Interventional, Destin, FL PI
Dr. Risley received his medical degree from the university of Florida and completed both his fellowship and residency at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. He has remained on the “cutting-edge” of vascular surgery his entire career and was integral in introducing endovascular aneurysm repair to the private practice community and trained hundreds of surgeons, radiologists and cardiologists across the nation in the use of endovascular stent graft to treat AAA in a minimally invasive fashion.
Dr. Risley has been actively involved in the treatment of carotid disease through angioplasty and stent trials and was the first physician in Jacksonville and one of the first in Florida to use the transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) system for treatment of carotid stenosis. Throughout his career, Dr. Risley has been passionate about providing the best possible options for patients with peripheral arterial disease, carotid disease, aneurysmal disease, venous disease and chronic lower extremity wounds.

Dr. Vincent DiGiovanni, MD
Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, PA PI
Dr. Digiovanni is a Vascular Surgeon and has been practicing medicine for over 17 years. He is highly rated in 15 conditions, with his top areas of expertise being Venous Insufficiency, Stasis Dermatitis and Ulcers, Peripheral Artery Disease, Carotid Artery Disease, and Carotid Artery Surgery.

Dr. Kathleen Ozsvath, MD
St. Peter's Vascular Associates, Troy, NY PI
Dr. Kathleen Ozsvath, MD specialized in vascular surgery with over 30 years of experience in medicine. Dr. Ozsvath has extensive experience in Carotid Artery Disease or Carotid Endarterectomy, Peripheral Vascular Disease, and Aortic Aneurysm or Dissection.
Are you a treating physician and have a potential candidate for the SAVVE study?
