The annual meeting of the European Society for Vascular Surgery--the scientific contents over the years

Abstract

Aim and method: to analyze the presentations given at the annual meeting of European Society for Vascular Surgery: topic, geographical distribution, later publication. Three six-year periods from 1989 have been evaluated.

Results: case series dominates but randomized trials have increased somewhat. Papers on animal experiments and basic science have decreased. The most frequently reported diseases have been aortic aneurysm, carotid artery problems, lower extremity ischaemia and with an increasing number of papers on venous disease. Around two thirds of the presentations have been later published as full papers in European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, but as many as one quarter has not been published. Geographical origin has varied over time with a decrease in the UK dominance.

Conclusion: The presentations at the Annual meeting of European Society for Vascular Surgery contribute substantially to the contents of the Society Journal but a large proportion of the presentations never appear in print. Northern Europe dominates when papers per population unit is counted.