António Pereira Neves , Hospital da Luz angiology and vascular surgery specialist, concluded his doctorate degree in Medicine, at Oporto University Faculty of Medicine (FMUP). The public defence took place last March 5 and the thesis – entitled “Clinical and Imagiological Predictors of Prognosis in Extensive Aortoiliac Disease” – received the unanimous approval of the jury. Peripheral artery disease is estimated to affect up to 10% of the Portuguese population over 60. It is characterized by a narrowing or progressive obstruction of the arteries, most frequently in the lower limbs, being responsible for the majority of cardiac events (acute myocardial infarction) and cerebrovascular events (CVA – cerebrovascular accident). It causes pain walking, for instance, and in more advanced stages leg chilling, alterations in skin coloration, pain at rest, occurrence of sores in the ankles or toes, and even gangrene with risk of amputation or life risk. In the research work conducted for this doctorate thesis, António Pereira Neves has focused on identifying clinical, haematological, and imaging markers capable of predicting the evolution of extensive aortoiliac disease, a severe form of peripheral artery disease, typically implicating morbidity, and risk of amputation. The main goal of the research was contributing to a better selection of patient candidates to revascularization (surgical procedure to reestablish blood circulation), enabling to anticipate results in the long term, optimize preoperative preparation, and reinforce perioperative surveillance. This allows a more tailored and effective approach, with direct impact on the improvement of clinical results and the use of resources in vascular surgery. The thesis has had for advisors João Rocha Neves and José Paulo Andrade, both from FMUP. The jury has included national and international specialists of recognized merit. In the photo above, the new doctor and the jury: José Paulo Andrade, Mario Giovanni Gerardo D’Oria (Trieste University, Italy), Mavilde Rodrigues Longarito (FMUP), José Barbosa (FMUP), António Pereira Neves, Marina Dias Neto (FMUP), and João Rocha Neves. Also integrating the jury and participating via video conference were Piotr Myrcha (Warsaw Faculty of Medicine, Poland), and Augusto Ministro (Lisbon University Faculty of Medicine).
