Practice-Changing Amputation Prevention Symposium Features Cutting-Edge Techniques for Saving Limbs, Lives

CHICAGO, June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Never-before-seen techniques for saving limbs - and therefore lives - will be featured at the second annual Amputation Prevention Symposium (AMP) Aug. 10 and 11, the only meeting focused solely on treating critical limb ischemia (CLI), even in seemingly hopeless cases.

Early response confirms the practice-changing benefits of AMP, founded by renowned endovascular expert Jihad Mustapha, MD, aka "the leg saver," who established a model amputation prevention program. More than two-thirds of clinicians attending the 2011 meeting reported improvement in patient outcomes and 83 percent said it changed the way they managed patients. That is significant, considering at least half of patients who have foot amputations die within five years - a mortality rate that is worse than most cancers. Almost two million people will be diagnosed with diabetes this year, and foot complications of the disease are the most common cause of lower extremity amputations.

"Through advances in technology, we can perform unbelievable revascularizations in situations that seemed impossible just a few months ago," said Dr. Mustapha, course director of the AMP meeting and director of endovascular interventions at Metro Heart Hospital, Wyoming, Mich. "Amputations shorten lives by decades, so we need to do everything we can to prevent limb loss. The good news is there are many new options to help patients avoid amputation, techniques that those who attend the meeting can learn and immediately put into practice."

AMP takes a holistic approach to preventing limb loss, incorporating multiple perspectives, including those of the patient, primary care physicians, payers and other stakeholders. Program sessions include:

• Cutting-edge limb salvage techniques that have never been done before
• How to obtain single or dual tibiopedal access in less than two minutes each
• A breakthrough solution for safely and effectively treating obese patients in whom groin access is nearly impossible
• Hands-on training on cadavers to obtain antegrade CFA and SFA access, antegrade tibial access, retrograde tibiopedal access and a combination of antegrade and retrograde access
• Learning which devices safely can be used for retrograde access
• Amputation through the eyes of a patient
• The socioeconomic impact of amputation
• Case studies of patients whose legs were saved, despite previously being told nothing could be done

"AMP aims to raise the bar on CLI therapy and help clinicians successfully treat patients who have been told nothing more can be done," Dr. Mustapha said.

AMP is scheduled for Aug. 10-11 at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. The program will feature case presentations, hands-on lab sessions, authoritative panel discussions and unparalleled one-on-one networking opportunities. Attendees will have the opportunity to earn continuing medical education (CME) credit. The meeting will be preceded by the Latest Endovascular Atherectomy Devices (LEAD), a practical hands-on experience for fellows.

About the Amputation Prevention Symposium (AMP)

Now in its second year, the Amputation Prevention Symposium (AMP) will be held Aug. 10-11 at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago. AMP is the nation's only meeting focused solely on preventing limb loss, even in seemingly hopeless cases. Experts will gather to discuss and evaluate critical limb ischemia treatments, including the newest techniques to prevent amputations. Focusing on a common goal, physicians who attend AMP will gain knowledge and insight that will directly benefit their patients. For more information, please visit http://www.ampsymposium.org.  

About Complete Conference Management

Complete Conference Management (CCM) incorporates state-of-the-art technology to provide innovative learning experiences. CCM specializes in utilizing today's advanced communication technology to design and deliver education in a dynamic format. CCM's expertise includes facilitating the live broadcast of medical procedures from medical centers to meeting sites worldwide using the most sophisticated transmission methods available, simultaneous translation as well as audience response systems (ARS). Complete Conference Management is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME®) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. To learn more about CCM, go to http://www.ccmcme.com or call 888-334-7495.

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SOURCE Amputation Prevention Symposium