CHALLENGING CASE COMPETITION

Overview

The Challenging Case Competition invites endovascular specialists to submit complex, high-learning-value cases from lower extremity endovascular revascularization practice. The competition is designed to stimulate clinical debate, showcase innovative techniques, and advance knowledge sharing among the interventional community.

Key Dates

Eligibility

The competition is open to all endovascular specialists, including:

• Vascular surgeons
• Interventional cardiologists
• Interventional radiologists
• Endovascular fellows and trainees

What Qualifies as a Challenging Case

Submitted cases must demonstrate at least one of the following characteristics:

Category	Description
Complex anatomy	TASC C/D lesions, heavily calcified vessels, long-segment CTOs, or multi-level disease.
Rare or unusual presentation	Atypical clinical scenario, unusual etiology, or unexpected intraoperative findings.
Difficult decision-making	Complex bailout situations, complication management, or high-stakes clinical dilemmas.
Novel technique or device	Innovative use of technology, first-in-region application, or creative procedural approach.

Submission Process

Submissions follow a two-phase process:

Phase 1 — Abstract Submission

All applicants must submit a structured abstract via the online submission portal by the stated deadline. Please select Challenging Case Submission in the Submission Type.

Abstracts must be written in English and must not exceed 250 words. No images, figures, or videos should be included at this stage.

The abstract must include the following sections:

• Background: Brief clinical context and reason the case was challenging
• Case summary: Patient demographics (anonymized), presenting features, and imaging findings
• Intervention: Procedural description including devices and techniques used
• Outcome: Technical and clinical result, including follow-up where available
• Key learning points: What makes this case instructive for the endovascular community

Phase 2 — PowerPoint Submission (Shortlisted Candidates Only)

Shortlisted candidates will be notified and invited to submit a full PowerPoint presentation.

Live Presentation at the Conference

Each finalist will present their case live during the dedicated competition session:

• Presentation: 8 minutes
• Panel Q&A: 5 minutes

Judging Criteria

Cases will be evaluated by a panel of expert judges using the following scoring rubric:

Criterion	Score
Case complexity and clinical challenge	25 pts
Quality of decision-making and problem-solving	25 pts
Procedural technique and innovation	20 pts
Clinical outcome and follow-up	15 pts
Clarity and quality of presentation	15 pts
Total	100 pts

Important Rules

Patient Confidentiality

• All submitted cases must be fully anonymized. No names, dates of birth, hospital record numbers, or other identifying information may appear in the abstract or presentation.
• Institutional ethics or IRB approval, or written patient consent, must be obtained where required by local regulations.
• By submitting, authors confirm compliance with applicable data protection and ethics standards.

Case Recency

• Cases must have been performed between January 2023 and the submission deadline.
• Cases previously published in a peer-reviewed journal remain eligible, provided the novel teaching point is clearly highlighted and the submission adds value beyond the published material.

Prior Presentations

• Cases must not have been presented at another international or major regional conference.
• Prior presentation at a national-level meeting must be disclosed at the time of submission.
• The scientific committee reserves the right to disqualify cases that do not meet this requirement.

Originality and Authorship

• All submitted work must be original. The submitting author confirms that the case has not been submitted simultaneously to another competition.
• Co-authors listed must have made a genuine intellectual contribution to the case or its management.