Jos van den Berg, Interventional Radiologist, Lugano, Switzerland
I just arrived this morning and went into the Great Hall for the Innovation Showcase. There were not many controversies here, but several exciting developments came to light.
For me, the most interesting session was by Iris Baumgartner, who spoke on the good outcomes achieved for critical limb ischaemia patients using growth factors. The good outcome is extremely interesting as the concept has been tried for several years, but this is among the first reported trial with a positive outcome. We are probably well on our way to treating the neglected group of patients, who are not amenable to any kind of revascularisation with growth factors.
Also, some of the images that Reto Bale showed in his presentation were fascinating, as I am very interested in imaging, and am collaborating with Phillips Medical Systems on 3D rotational angiography. What I saw on the flow dynamics with rotational angiography were pretty remarkable. I will take that information back home and try and get similar things done in my institution as well.
Frans Moll, president of the European Society of Vascular Surgery
I think many innovative ideas and thoughts are being presented. Among them are many traditional lectures, and it is clear that this is one of the attractive parts of the congress. But the other section that is very important is to get to know the people who are willing to invest in new ideas that can improve the treatment of our vascular patients. This congress is offering a unique mix of people who are willing to invest in the development of new ideas in combination with the physicians. For me that makes this symposium different from other symposia.
It is very attractive for both sides of the Atlantic, to come to London in April and to meet with these kind of people for development of new techniques and new technologies.
The Innovation Showcase this morning was a great session, with very open, constructive and fruitful discussion time after the presentations. The dialogue and discussions are equally as important as the lectures.
In the next couple of days I am curious as to how we proceed with the AAA and thoracic aneurysm pathology. And also I am looking forward to the Venous Day. Venous pathology and how to treat venous pathology has been neglected slightly, but now vascular surgeons are aware that venous pathology is an important part of their practice. Fortunately, CX Symposium has a full day dedicated to this.
Krassi Ivancev, Malmo University Hospital, Sweden
I am coming from an endovascular angle and that makes it hard for me to read what’s going on in life outside the endovascular field. So that’s what I’m looking for at Charing Cross.
In addition, I’m looking for anything new that shows up: new devices, new applications of old devices.
I am here till Monday evening and am catching up with all the people I know. Because it attracts both radiologists and vascular surgeons, CX Symposium allows many more ideas to come forth.
