publications

Peer Reviewed outputs from the VERN collaborative research

Browse recent publications, explore project-linked papers, and view our growing academic output.

Featured Publications

Surgical Site Infections in Major Lower Limb Amputation – Transmetatarsal Extension

Journal of Vascular Societies, Great Britain & Ireland

An international multicentre audit (SIMBA-T) designed to quantify surgical site infection rates and identify risk factors following major lower limb amputation with transmetatarsal extension.

vista study

The Vascular Interventions and Surgery in Trauma Audit: A Prospective National Service Evaluation of Vascular Trauma in the UK

European Journal of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, March 2026

The frequency, operative management, and outcomes for patients with traumatic vascular injury in the UK are unknown. The Vascular Interventions and Surgery in Trauma Audit (VISTA) aimed to describe the contemporary landscape of UK vascular trauma.

caasp

Evaluating current acute aortic syndrome pathways: Collaborative Acute Aortic Syndrome Project

BJS Open Sept 2024

Diagnosis of acute aortic syndrome is challenging and associated with high perihospital mortality rates. The study aim was to evaluate current pathways and understand the chronology of acute aortic syndrome patient care.

DEFINITE study

Widespread non-adherence to guidelines in the operative management of diabetes-related foot disease complications

BJS Oct 2024

This study aimed to capture practices of diabetic foot debridement and minor amputation in theatre, to compare practice with the IWGDF and GVG recommendations

Groin Wound Infection after Vascular Exposure Risk Prediction Models

European Journal of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, August 2021

This study aimed to develop and internally validate risk prediction models for predicting groin wound surgical site infections (SSIs) following arterial intervention and to evaluate the utility of existing risk prediction models for this outcome.
Green Vascular Surgery survey

A Greener Vascular Surgery: A Survey of Current Green Practices

Annals of Vascular Surgery, July 2025

Climate change is an environmental emergency. With health care systems contributing to 5% of carbon emissions globally, this survey aimed to understand current green practices across vascular centers.

PERCEIVE study

Short-term risk prediction after major lower limb amputation

BJS December 2022

PERCEIVE  is an international, multicentre prospective observational study including adult patients undergoing a primary major lower-limb amputation (MLLA) for chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI) or diabetes.

COVER study

Impact of COVID-19 on vascular patients worldwide: analysis of the COVIDSurg data

The Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery

An international multicentre analysis shows perioperative COVID-19 infection and underlying comorbidity drive high mortality in vascular surgery patients.

The persistent challenges faced by vascular surgery services during the UK coronavirus pandemic: a snapshot qualitative survey

The Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Dec 2021

The VERN COVER study evaluates how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted delivery of urgent vascular surgery across 30 UK centres, highlighting ongoing disruption to vascular services.

PERCEIVE study

The PERCEIVE quantitative study: PrEdiction of Risk and Communication of outcome following major lower-limb amputation: protocol for a collaboratiVE study

BJS Open, Nov 2021

Protocol for PERCEIVE, an international, multicentre prospective observational study including adult patients undergoing a primary major lower-limb amputation (MLLA) for chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI) or diabetes.

Income Deprivation and Groin Wound Surgical Site Infection: Cross-Sectional Analysis from the Groin Wound Infection after Vascular Exposure Multicenter Cohort Study

Surgical Infections, Feb 2022

This study investigates whether socioeconomic deprivation is associated with groin wound surgical site infection, mortality, and clinical outcomes following arterial intervention

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Wound Adjuncts for the Prevention of Groin Wound Surgical Site Infection in Arterial Surgery

European Journal of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, April 2021

Groin incision surgical site infections (SSIs) following arterial surgery are common and are a source of considerable morbidity. This review evaluates interventions and adjuncts delivered immediately before, during, or after skin closure, to prevent SSIs in patients undergoing arterial interventions involving a groin incision.

Reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism following superficial endovenous treatment: A UK and Republic of Ireland consensus study

Phlebology: The Journal of Venous Disease, Oct 2022

Venous thromboembolism is a potentially fatal complication of superficial endovenous treatment. This study surveyed UK and Republic of Ireland vascular consultants to determine areas of consensus.

Groin wound infection after vascular exposure (GIVE) multicentre cohort study

International Wound Journal, Nov 2020

This international multicentre prospective cohort study quantifies the incidence, risk factors, and clinical impact of groin wound surgical site infections following femoral access in vascular surgery.

COVER study

Impact of COVID-19 on vascular patients worldwide: analysis of the COVIDSurg data

The Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery

An international multicentre analysis shows perioperative COVID-19 infection and underlying comorbidity drive high mortality in vascular surgery patients.

COVER study

Outcomes of Vascular and Endovascular Interventions Performed During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Annals of Surgery, April 2021

An international multi-center observational study to identify global outcomes and decision making for vascular procedures during the pandemic.

COVER study

The COvid-19 Vascular sERvice Study: An International, Collaborative Study Assessing the Provision, Practice, and Outcomes of Vascular Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic

European Journal of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, July 2020

An international multi-center observational study to identify global outcomes and decision making for vascular procedures during the pandemic.

COVER study

Global impact of the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic wave on vascular services

BJS, October 2020

An international multi-center observational study to identify global outcomes and decision making for vascular procedures during the pandemic.

Considering Leading Experts’ Antithrombotic Regimes around peripheral angioplasty survey: an international perspective on antiplatelet and anticoagulant practice for peripheral arterial endovascular intervention

CVIR Endovascular, Nov 2019

This survey study evaluates current clinical practice in the use of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy for peripheral arterial endovascular interventions.

Study protocol for the groin wound infection after vascular exposure (GIVE) audit and multicentre cohort study

The International Journal of Study Protocols, July 2019

Protocol for an international multicentre prospective cohort study quantifies the incidence, risk factors, and clinical impact of groin wound surgical site infections following femoral access in vascular surgery.

HYDration and Bicarbonate to Prevent Acute Renal Injury After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair With Suprarenal Fixation: Pilot/Feasibility Randomised Controlled Study

European Journal of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, May 2018

The aim of this two centre pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) was to confirm the ability to efficiently recruit patients in a definitive large RCT, evaluate the safety of this novel EVAR specific AKI prevention strategy, and assess its impact on renal physiology.

Academic requirements for Certificate of Completion of Training in surgical training: Consensus recommendations from the Association of Surgeons in Training/National Research Collaborative Consensus Group

International Journal of Surgery, Nov 2016

This study aimed to develop a flexible framework, inclusive of several aspects of academic practice for recommendation to the surgical SACs.

Observational study of the medical management of patients with peripheral artery disease

BJS, August 2019

Previous research has suggested that patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are not offered adequate risk factor modification, despite their high cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to assess the cardiovascular profiles of patients with PAD and quantify the survival benefits of target-based risk factor modification

Cardiovascular risk reduction in referrals to outpatient vascular clinics

The Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, May 2018

Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), aneurysmal disease (AD) or carotid atherosclerosis are at high cardiovascular risk, necessitating secondary cardiovascular protection. The aim of this study was to determine compliance with cardiovascular risk reduction guidelines in new patients referred to vascular clinics.

Multi-Centre Study on Cardiovascular Risk Management on Patients Undergoing AAA Surveillance

European Journal of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, July 2017

The risk of cardiovascular events and death in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is high. The aim of this study was to assess cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with small AAA.

How to Engage in Trainee-led Multicentre Collaborative Vascular Research: The Vascular and Endovascular Research Network

European Journal of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, Sept 2016

The Vascular and Endovascular Research Network (VERN) is a UK trainee-led collaborative that delivers high-quality multicentre vascular research and audits to overcome the limitations of single-centre studies and improve surgical practice.
COVER study

Impact of COVID-19 on vascular patients worldwide: analysis of the COVIDSurg data

The Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery

An international multicentre analysis shows perioperative COVID-19 infection and underlying comorbidity drive high mortality in vascular surgery patients.