Early development of the vascular laboratory in Australia

Vascular surgeons were involved in the early development of the vascular laboratory in Australia, extrapolating experience gained overseas, introducing the methodology and training programmes and later determining qualifications and standards. Common themes emerged in a review of individual surgeons’ involvement, notably their early commitment, ingenuity in overcoming financial and political barriers and the close working relationship that developed between them and their vascular technologists. Vascular surgeons are now a minority player in vascular imaging but retain important leadership roles. If the next generation of vascular surgeons is to retain their involvement in the vascular laboratory, there are inherent capital costs they need to meet and administrative skills necessary to complement clinical expertise to deliver optimum vascular surgical care. Just as endovascular skills are now being introduced into the traditional armamentarium, experience in the vascular laboratory must be consolidated in vascular fellowship training ­programs. This has implications for manpower, resources and training.