In 2015, the Charing Cross Symposium will dedicate, for the first time, four days of discussion in the venous field addressing both the superficial and deep venous systems. The Symposium is also launching a new CX Venous Workshop, formerly named as CX Office-Based Vein Practice Course, which includes hands-on training on the latest techniques for varicose veins treatment and, for the first time, practical training on deep venous treatment.   

On the first day (Tuesday, 28 April) upcoming leading vascular and endovascular experts will present cutting-edge venous investigation at a CX Abstracts‒Venous session. Delegates will also have the chance to visit the CX Venous Workshop, which will run on the following days (Wednesday, 29 April and Thursday, 30 April). On the fourth day, the CX Main Programme will be dedicated to Venous Controversies.

Superficial and deep venous treatment at the core of the Venous Controversies        


This year’s Venous Controversies in varicose veins treatment are no longer between surgery and office-based techniques, according to Roger Greenhalgh, (Imperial College, London, UK), chairman of the CX Programme Organising Board. “It seems as if office-based vein techniques have swept the board. Now the controversy seems to be about which method to select in which situation,” he says.

Delegates will learn the latest evidence on varicose veins treatment options with thermal and non-thermal techniques. “We will try to present a balance between data and information that relate to office-based tested techniques that are already established and are probably state-of-the-art alongside techniques that are emerging, and that may not have enough data but nonetheless might represent a completely shift in practice. We are happy for people to find out about these new techniques at Charing Cross first,” says Ian Franklin (London, UK), member of the CX Programme Organising Board.  

Commenting on non-thermal techniques, Mark Whiteley (University of Surrey, London, UK), also a member of the CX Programme Organising Board, says: “The newer non-thermal techniques are now joining the endovenous thermal ablative devices and starting to show impressive results. The controversy here will be whether these newer non-thermal methods are now able to replace endothermal ablation in some or all cases.” (See an interview with Whiteley on varicose veins treatment).  


Sclerotherapy and laser therapy of cosmetic skin problems will also be discussed.


Deep venous treatment is another major topic of controversy at this year’s CX Symposium. Franklin comments: “Deep venous thrombosis treatment is controversial because it is extremely badly managed in many countries and some people get almost no treatment at all. Nowadays, there are new technologies that help physicians treat deep venous thrombosis effectively. There is a lot to achieve in terms of training and education on how to diagnose deep venous thrombosis promptly with the right method of treatment to guarantee durable results.”


Stephen Black (Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK), member of the CX Programme Organising Board, considers that there is a real need to develop the evidence base for treatment options for deep venous thrombosis. At the session on Deep Venous Controversies, delegates will learn about the latest evidence on the current techniques for deep venous thrombosis treatment including new stents and catheter-directed thrombolysis and thrombectomy techniques. (See an interview with Black on deep venous disease treatment).     


Imaging for superficial and deep venous treatment is playing a vital role in the diagnosis of these anomalies. Greenhalgh comments: “It appears that imaging is absolutely at the core of intervention in the superficial and deep venous systems. Unfortunately, venous imaging is less than helpful when the patient lies flat and how to image the deep venous system with the patient standing will be discussed.”


The use of current imaging technologies such as duplex, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) will be discussed at a session dedicated to this field.


New CX Venous Workshop   


The former CX Office-Based Vein Practice Course has changed its name to the CX Venous Workshop because it now encompasses all aspects of venous disease including deep vein thrombosis, intravascular ultrasound and deep vein stenting. The course will continue providing delegates with hands-on training sessions for varicose veins treatment. In 2014, it had a record attendance of over 700 delegates during two days.


The CX Venous Workshop is set out in a very flexible format and will run from 10am until 3pm over two days. There will be different training stations (around 30) led by a physician expert who will be demonstrating a wide range of techniques and procedures in different superficial and deep venous treatment techniques. There is not a rigid timetable and participants can choose their timing at their convenience. The course facilitates one-to-one interaction or discussions in small groups.


Key areas covered include:                                                      

  • Practical training
  • Truncal ablation
  • Diagnostic venous ultrasound
  • Anatomy
  • Venous haemodynamics
  • Sclerotherapy
  • Thread veins
  • Dermal lasers
  • Pelvic venous imaging
  • Pelvic congestion
  • Pelvic veins and haemorrhoids
  • IVUS
  • Deep vein stenting
  • Pelvic vein embolisation
  • Lymphoedema
  • Endovenous glue
  • Mechanochemoablation
  • Steam
  • Wound care
  • Varicose veins
  • Perforators 
  • Tributaries
  • Surgery
  • Caval filters
  • Intermittent pneumatic compression
  • Stockings and bandaging
  • Neuromuscular electrical stimulation
  • Thrombophilia and DVT Venous malformations

The CX Venous Controversies Day will take place at the Charing Cross Symposium on Friday 1 May – Main Auditorium, Olympia Grand, London, UK.

Delegates will have the opportunity to get hands-on training on the latest techniques for superficial and deep venous system treatment at the CX Venous Workshop on Wednesday 29 April and Thursday 30 April – Gallery Upper Level, Olympia Grand, London, UK

 

Click here to see the CX Main Programme Sessions

Click here to see the CX Parallel Sessions

Click here to see the CX Venous Workshop

Click here to register