October 30, 2024In October, vascular experts from across the globe gathered in Melbourne’s north to share knowledge and learn about new techniques focused on the complexities of deep venous disease.
The sixth annual ANZ Venous Forum Workshop was hosted by Northern Health on 15 and 16 October 2024, across both Northern Hospital Epping and Northern Private Hospital. The packed agenda focused on the management of deep venous disease, in particular deep vein thrombosis (DVT), iliofemoral DVT, iliofemoral obstruction, Paget-Schroetter syndrome, and the medical and surgical management of pulmonary embolism (PE).
Over the course of the two-day workshop, participants engaged with a series of compelling case studies. These cases focused on the surgical treatment of iliofemoral DVT and its sequelae, Paget-Schroetter management, pelvic venous congestion syndrome, and non-thrombotic iliac venous lesions.
It served not just as a platform for discussion but as a critical learning experience focused on deep venous diagnosis and management, and more importantly, the principles of PE diagnosis, treatment, and management from key ICU, physician, and surgical speakers. There were also robust discussions and training provided around the surgical management of PE and the importance of developing a multidisciplinary PE response team (PERT).
Mr Iman Bayat, Clinical Lead for Complex Venous Service, said that they have been very blessed at Northern Health to have had a deep venous workshop almost every year since 2017.
“As time has gone by, we realised that there is a growing need for collaboration in Australia and New Zealand. And so, we had to go bigger. We’ve had people from New Zealand, we’ve had people from Perth, from Adelaide, from Sydney, from Wollongong. We’re all here with a shared passion for deep venous disease. It’s a forum where we can all learn from each other,” said Mr Bayat.
“Not only can we help train the next generation of surgeons, but we are creating a platform for research. We’ve learned a lot, and we’ve also shared many experiences with others. We already have a plan for future meetings where the group can get together on a more regular basis and share their cases to ensure this learning and collaboration continues.”
Dr Rajesh Malik, a vascular surgeon from New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, said it was a privilege and an honour to attend this workshop.
“There’s been a lot of collaboration in discussing cases. I’m sure that all the physicians here have learned a lot, and I’ve learned a lot from the physicians and the staff. I think it helps all of us take our patient care to the next level, especially in venous disease, which is not well talked about or done by many people,” said Dr Malik.
“For us to be able to collaborate and come up with treatment options, I think it really helps different communities, and I think it’s a fantastic idea to continue this going forward. I picked up a couple of things here regarding venous testing, which is not what we typically do.”
Dr Philip Puckridge, a vascular surgeon from Flinders Medical Centre in South Australia, emphasised the importance of these workshops and shared learning for improved patient care.
“This is really important because venous disease, even though it’s part of what we do as vascular surgeons, is not necessarily well established in the processes of how we can treat it,” said Dr Puckridge.
“What we’re doing here is actually bringing together a group of people with interest and enthusiasm in this area to meet with experts and discuss how this disease process is treated. What we take back from this, and hopefully what everyone else takes back, is a better understanding of why we should treat these patients with interest.”
Dr Laurencia Villalba, a vascular surgeon from Wollongong Hospital, New South Wales, travelled south to “experience the prowess of the vascular surgeons from the North.”
“I think it’s a fantastic opportunity to collaborate and learn from each other. This is all about elevating our level of knowledge and understanding of venous disease, which is relatively new for Australia,” Dr Villalba said.
“We’re forming a very good group of people with the same kind of interest in promoting knowledge and awareness of this disease and what we can do to help our patients, so it’s been a fantastic opportunity to network and learn from each other.”
“Northern has put on a fantastic show, with very good cases; these surgeons are extremely skilled, and it’s just a pleasure to watch them operate.”
Mr David Goh, Head of the Vascular Surgery Unit at Northern Health, said that the workshop was a great opportunity to collaborate, educate, and learn.
“The workshop brought together a whole host of experts from around the world. We’re always trying to push the boundaries of venous disease, and we certainly have great world experts attending, showing us how things are done in different parts of the world,” said Mr Goh.
“It is evident that this event is more than just an educational experience; it is a testament to the strides Northern Health continues to make toward advocating for the importance of venous disease and establishing itself as a centre of excellence, and certainly puts us on the world map.”
