As the 25^th Anniversary of the American Venous Forum Annual Congress approaches, it’s a good time to reflect on all of the incredible progress we have made in the field of treating venous diseases, including chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, venous ulceration, and other potentially debilitating or life threatening conditions.

For the most part, gone are the days of painful and invasive vein stripping procedures. With continued research and a deeper understanding of technologies available for the treatment of vein disease, patients are experiencing excellent outcomes with significantly less pain, downtime, and risk. I have been practicing medicine and treating patients with venous disease in all of its forms long enough to have learned under the “old way” of invasive surgery, and am proud to have been on the forefront of developing new technologies and modalities for improving patient care.

The Annual Congress in Arizona this week should prove to be an exciting meeting of the minds, where we can collectively share our knowledge and continue our education in order to continuously improve vein disease treatment.  I look forward to what will prove to be lively academic discussions and fascinating case studies, including one I will be presenting on complex superficial venous disease.  I am also looking forward to some desert warmth.