Lena Blomgren

About Lena Blomgren

Lena Blomgren is a consultant vascular and general surgeon at Karlskoga Vein Centre and Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Örebro University Hospital, and associate professor of surgery at the School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University.

Research

Her overall goal with current research activities is to improve the care of patients with venous insufficiency (varicose veins or impaired vein function after blood clots), especially those with venous leg ulcers, and to improve pathways of care for these patients. The current situation is unsatisfactory with many leg ulcer patients treated only with local dressings for years where a simple varicose vein intervention could lead to permanent healing. The regional guidelines are arbitrary and differ significantly between regions for patients with varicose veins with or without leg ulcers, new surgical methods are introduced uncritically and complications are not reported to the National Board of Health and Welfare, however national guidelines will now hopefully be implemented.

The studies focus on priorities, methods of investigations and treatment strategies, as well as long-term treatment results. The impact of a national quality registry on quality of care for the patient group is evaluated. A new minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins is  studied prospectively with regard to safety and treatment results. In the studies, we focus on priorities, examination methods and treatment strategies, as well as long-term treatment results for patients with varicose veins and leg ulcers. In an ongoing project, we are studying patients with leg ulcers in community care, where a regional inventory has shown that many have an unclear diagnosis and are not referred further for investigation. We will try to identify obstacles in organization or practice so that patients are investigated accoring to guidelines, as well as evaluate whether it is just as possible to perform ultrasound and simpler treatment in residential settings as in the policlinic for the most fragile individuals.

Teaching

Lena Blomgren gives lectures about vascular surgery, venous insufficiency and wound care for medical staff and nurses, students and residents, in international workshops and for the public.

Collaboration and assignments

• Chair of the national working committee for national guidelines for varicose veins and venous ulcers in The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR).
• Member of the Senior advisory Board for Swedvasc, The Swedish National Registry for Vascular Surgery.
• Member of the scientific board of RiksSår, the Swedish national quality Registry for Ulcer Treatment.
• Member of the working committee for the guidelines on chronic venous disease by ESVS, the European Society for Vascular and endovascular Surgery.
• Referee for European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and Phlebology.