by Dave DelVal

The sixth annual meeting of the International Vein Congress (IVC) will be held April 17-19, 2008, at the InterContinental Hotel in Miami, Fl.

Among the physicians who annually attend the event are vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, general surgeons, plastic surgeons and dermatologists, as well as interventional cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons. Additional attendees include physician assistants, nurses, technologists and other medical professionals. All attendees, be they veterans to the event or newcomers, share the desire to expand their knowledge in their chosen area of interest.

According to Alexandra Pecharich, the director of communications for Complete Conference Management, the CME provider of the course, more than 500 vein specialists attend the event annually. The attendees are an international lot, Ms. Pecharich indicated. The 2007 attendees, for instance, represented 44 states and 17 countries.

Physicians attending IVC receive up to 21.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credits. “All attendees receive educational materials and can apply the hours spent in participation in the meeting toward their continuing medical education requirements,” Pecharich said, adding that the IVC exhibit hall is annually sold out. With more than 40 vendors, the exhibit hall offers the ideal venue for attendees and vendors to exchange information about the latest technology and services that will enhance practices, she added.

This year’s topic will cover anesthesia, ultrasound and other advanced technology. Each year, Course Director Jose I. Almeida, M.D., updates the course material to make it relevant for even those who attend regularly, Pecharich said. Additionally, the course covers secondary services and other procedures for which demand continues to grow, and which can make an important contribution to individual practices.

“Discussion of business aspects, such as marketing and liability, complement the highlighted clinical applications and teach attendees how to effectively expand their practices,” Pecharich said.

The following topics will be discussed during the clinical sessions: Basic and advanced endovenous techniques; Sclerotherapy and light/laser therapy of small veins; Saphenous and nonsaphenous vein issues; Deep vein thrombosis and hypercoagulable states.

In addition, optional mini-symposia - open only to IVC registrants for an additional fee - will cover Optimizing the Vein Center Vascular Laboratory; Cosmetic Procedures for the Office-based Venous Surgeon; Sclerotherapy Symposium; The Complete Office-based Endovascular Center.

For additional information about the IVC and its annual meeting, please visit www.ivconline.org.