aDepartment of Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga
bDepartment of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass
cDepartment of Surgery, Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif
dDepartment of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Penn
eDepartment of Surgery, University of Rochester, Rochester, Minn
fDepartment of Surgery, Washington University-St. Louis, St. Louis, Mo
gDepartment of Surgery, University of Texas-Southwestern, Dallas, Tex
hDepartment of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich
iDepartment of Vascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio
Reprint requests: Elliot L. Chaikof, MD, PhD, Emory University, 101 Woodruff Circle, Rm 5105, Atlanta, GA 30322 (e-mail: [email protected]).
Dr Chaikof received research (principal investigator) and educational support (program director) from WL Gore, and research and educational support (program director) from Medtronic and Cook, Inc. Dr Makaroun received research and educational support (program director) from WL Gore, Cook Inc, Medtronic, Cordis, BSCI, Abbott, Bolton, and Lombard. In the last two years, Dr. Makaroun had consulting agreements with WL Gore, Medtronic, Cook, Inc and Cardiomems. Dr Illig received proctoring, travel expenses, and honoraria from Cook, Inc, speaking and travel expenses from Cook, Inc and WL Gore, and also University of Rochester Department of Vascular Surgery has received unrestricted educational grant support from Cook, Inc, WL Gore, Medtronic, and Boston Scientific. Dr Timaran received fees for consulting and speaking from W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc. Dr Veith is a stockholder in Vascular Innovation, a company that may in the future make aortic endografts. Nothing in this article was influenced by their ownership.
Submitted July 2, 2009; accepted July 2, 2009
