Research


The cycle of support The research relationship between JVIR and SIR Foundation


W


hile the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (JVIR) has a close relationship


with SIR as its owner, the journal may have an even closer relationship with SIR Foundation. As two entities fully dedicated to supporting and fostering the growth of the IR research community, JVIR and SIR Foundation have long worked together to underscore the importance and impact of the scholarly publication of that work.


For over a decade, this relationship has yielded landmark studies, rewarded those at the leading edge of research and continually pushed the needle on IR innovation, both clinical and cultural.


SIR Foundation Research Consensus Panels Each year, the SIR Foundation Clinical Research and Registries Division organizes research consensus panel (RCP) meetings and summits to identify research priorities on timely topics in IR (proposed by the IR community) and to determine how SIR Foundation can support these initiatives. These panels, which are conducted approximately four times a year, focus on topics from disease states to emerging technology to public health issues.


The multidisciplinary panels of experts from academia, private practice, federal agencies and industry are handpicked by the lead investigators. These panels review existing literature from diverse


points of view and determine what literature gaps merit the most urgent further investigation. These priorities, and the discussion surrounding them, are then written up by the lead investigators and submitted as a white paper to JVIR, now published as articles called “Strategic Reviews.”


Recent RCP strategic reviews have focused on topics such as the reproductive outcomes of patients undergoing uterine artery embolization for uterine fibroids, the role of locoregional therapies in breast cancer, and percutaneous image- and endoscopy-guided interventions for biliary and gallbladder diseases.


There have been over 42 RCPs since 2002; 31 RCP proceedings have been published in JVIR, with more currently in progress. Recognizing the importance of these documents from SIR Foundation, SIR has negotiated with JVIR’s publisher, Elsevier to make these papers freely accessible to the entire medical community, in perpetuity, outside of the subscription paywall. Cumulatively, these white papers have garnered over 420 citations and 13,780 downloads.


The RCP proceedings serve as comprehensive and strategic reviews of the topics covered, while creating the scaffolding for future research. For example, a 2020 RCP led by Minhaj S. Khaja, MD, MBA, FSIR, identified several key research deficiencies surrounding the optimal management of patients


1989 SIR Foundation, membership growth


SIR membership surpasses 1,000 members. The Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Research and Education Foundation, later named the SIR Foundation, is established to fund research critical to the development of the field. Since its establishment, SIR Foundation has awarded more than $6 million in research grants.


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following endovascular deep venous interventions. Previously, best practice management was not well-defined. The panel ultimately determined four research priorities: 1) characterization of biological processes leading to in-stent stenosis/re-thrombosis; 2) identification and validation of methods to assess venous flow dynamics and their effect on stent failure; 3) elucidation of the role of inflammation and anti-inflammatory therapies; and 4) clinical studies to compare antithrombotic strategies and to improve venous outcome assessment. Following the publication of the RCP proceedings in JVIR, Dr. Khaja went on to receive the Funding Source Development Grant from SIR Foundation, as well as the Investigator Sponsored Research Grant from Boston Scientific.


Of course, the work of the panel only begins with the RCP and resulting strategic review article. To showcase the field’s progress and the SIR Foundation’s return on investment in establishing these research priorities, JVIR has begun soliciting updates on previous RCP publications. For example, last year, the journal published an 8-year follow-up on a prior RCP’s work related to submassive pulmonary embolism.


The annual JVIR editor’s awards In keeping with their philanthropic efforts, SIR Foundation provides funding for the monetary portion of two annual JVIR awards recognizing top papers: the JVIR Editor’s Award for Outstanding Clinical Study and the JVIR Editor’s


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