Journal of Vascular Nursing RSS feed: Current Issue. Journal of Vascular Nursing provides clinical information regarding aortic and peripheral aneurysms, upper and lower extremity arterial disease, acute and chronic venous disease, and more. Original, peer-reviewed articles present descriptions, etiologies, diagnostic procedures, medical and surgical treatment and nursing implications of vascular system disorders. http://www.jvascnurs.net/?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2011 Society for Vascular Nursing, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc All rights reserved. Journal of Vascular Nursing1062-0303294December 2011 © 2011 Society for Vascular Nursing, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc All rights reserved. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.jvascnurs.net/article/PIIS1062030311001282/abstract?rss=yes This has been an extremely busy fall for me both in my professional and personal life. Now as the holidays are approaching, I find I am again struggling as I juggle between my work and personal commitments. I am reminded of the calm and warmth that I felt while watching “Leave it to Beaver” and “Andy of Mayberry,” when it seemed that the boundaries between work and home were fairly clear. Today, however, work is more likely to invade your personal life, and maintaining work-life balance is no simple task. Still, I do believe that work-life balance isn’t out of reach, and I am still searching for ways to better manage my commitments. So, if you are like me, it is time to start evaluating our relationship to our work. My New Year’s resolution is a renewed application of healthy strategies to help me strike a more peaceful balance.From the Editor’s Perspective…10.1016/j.jvn.2011.10.001Journal of Vascular Nursing 29, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Journal of Vascular Nursing2011-12-01294S1062-0303(11)X0005-5Perspectives133134http://www.jvascnurs.net/article/PIIS1062030311001257/abstract?rss=yesPortal vein aneurysms (PVA) are a rare vascular anomaly of the portal system, representing fewer than 3% of all venous aneurysms, with only 150 known cases since first reported in l956 by Barzilai and Kleckner. PVA can be divided into 2 categories: extrahepatic and intrahepatic with acquired and congenital etiologies. Bimodal treatment includes medical and surgical approaches. With increased use of noninvasive radiological imaging, PVA will be increasingly recognized in the practice of vascular surgery.Portal vein aneurysm: A rare occurrenceKathy C. Turner, W.T. Bohannon, Marvin D. Atkins10.1016/j.jvn.2011.08.001Journal of Vascular Nursing 29, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Journal of Vascular Nursing2011-12-01294S1062-0303(11)X0005-5Articles135138http://www.jvascnurs.net/article/PIIS1062030311001270/abstract?rss=yesAcute aortic dissection is one of the most fatal cardiovascular disorders that can challenge the most experienced practitioner. Despite recent progress in diagnostic tools, this vascular catastrophe is often misdiagnosed or undetected which can result in a 1%-3% mortality risk per hour. Many patients die before presenting to the hospital or prior to diagnosis. Therefore, a high index of clinical suspicion is critical to reach the correct diagnosis, if proper management is to be achieved. Clinical predictors for aortic dissection include abrupt chest pain or back pain, pulse and blood pressure differentials, and a radiographic widening of the mediastinum. A clear understanding of the pathophysiology and risk factors associated with aortic dissection is the cornerstone of prompt diagnosis and treatment. This paper will provide an overview of the etiology, pathology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of this condition.Misdiagnosing aortic dissection: A fatal mistakeMaria Dixon10.1016/j.jvn.2011.08.003Journal of Vascular Nursing 29, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Journal of Vascular Nursing2011-12-01294S1062-0303(11)X0005-5Articles139146http://www.jvascnurs.net/article/PIIS106203031100094X/abstract?rss=yesManagement of chronic diseases is one of the greatest challenges facing health care professionals globally. With the aging population increasing worldwide, the number of patients afflicted with chronic diseases will increase. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a common, chronic atherosclerotic vascular disease that is associated with a high risk of stroke, myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death. The objective of this study was to determine if a multidisciplinary Vascular Risk Management Clinic (VRMC) would improve risk factor management and health outcomes for patients with PAD with poorly-controlled risk factors. A multidisciplinary VRMC was established utilizing a novel application of the Chronic Care Model to meet the needs of PAD patients. Interventions included optimization of medical therapy, investigations for undiagnosed atherosclerosis in other vascular distributions, smoking cessation therapy, dietary assessment and counseling, and active involvement of patients in evaluating progress towards their risk factor target goals. Assessment of risk factor control was done at each clinic visit and included measures of symptom severity, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profile, body mass index (BMI), and smoking status. Analysis of risk factors was performed for the first 103 patients followed in the clinic. Average follow-up time was 528 days, and statistically significant improvements were seen in blood pressure, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol (TC), and TC/HDL ratio, while BMI, FBS, and triglycerides remained stable. Participation in a specialized vascular risk management clinic resulted in significant improvement in risk factors for disease progression compared to baseline status.Peripheral arterial disease: Application of the Chronic Care ModelMarge Lovell, Kathryn Myers, Thomas L. Forbes, George Dresser, Ed Weiss10.1016/j.jvn.2011.07.001Journal of Vascular Nursing 29, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Journal of Vascular Nursing2011-12-01294S1062-0303(11)X0005-5Articles147152http://www.jvascnurs.net/article/PIIS1062030311001269/abstract?rss=yesPeripheral artery disease (PAD), a result of atherosclerotic vascular changes to the endothelial lining of blood vessels, affects 8-12 million Americans and increases the risk of mortality as much as 50% from heart attacks and strokes. Early diagnosis and treatment of PAD along with early risk-reduction strategies have the potential to decrease societal health costs, as well as morbidity and mortality. PAD through screening with ankle brachial index (ABI), versus relying on existing physical exam and screening questionnaires, can increase the number of participants correctly diagnosed with PAD and lead to earlier treatment options. ABI screening was implemented in a primary care practice setting; outcomes were compared with historical rates and outcomes for participants at risk who declined ABI. Authors concluded that the participants who had ABI screenings that included arterial waveform analysis had a 78% rate of PAD diagnosis, whereas only 13% of the participants who did not elect ABI screening were diagnosed with PAD based on their symptoms and physical exam. Use of ABI screening led to increased frequency and awareness of PAD diagnosis and the opportunity for early intervention.Got PAD? Hidden dangers revealed with ABIJamey Stephens, Debra Hagler, Edward Clark10.1016/j.jvn.2011.08.002Journal of Vascular Nursing 29, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Journal of Vascular Nursing2011-12-01294S1062-0303(11)X0005-5Articles153157http://www.jvascnurs.net/article/PIIS1062030311001324/abstract?rss=yesTable of Contents10.1016/S1062-0303(11)00132-4Journal of Vascular Nursing 29, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Journal of Vascular Nursing2011-12-01294S1062-0303(11)X0005-5FrontmatterA1A1http://www.jvascnurs.net/article/PIIS1062030311001336/abstract?rss=yesInformation for Authors10.1016/S1062-0303(11)00133-6Journal of Vascular Nursing 29, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Journal of Vascular Nursing2011-12-01294S1062-0303(11)X0005-5FrontmatterA2A3http://www.jvascnurs.net/article/PIIS1062030311001348/abstract?rss=yesInformation for Readers10.1016/S1062-0303(11)00134-8Journal of Vascular Nursing 29, 4 (2011)2011-12-01Journal of Vascular Nursing2011-12-01294S1062-0303(11)X0005-5FrontmatterA4A4