Exploring emerging technologies in venous disease with Steve Elias, MD
In this special episode of the VLU Voices podcast, the discussion centers around emerging technologies in venous disease treatment. This episode features an in-depth interview with Dr. Steve Elias, a leading expert in the field. Dr. Elias is the Director of the Center for Venous Disease at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in New Jersey and has made significant contributions through various roles, including founding the American Venous Forum Fellows and Residents Course in Venous Disease and the annual Expert Venous Management Summit. He also serves as the medical editor for the American Venous Forum newsletter, The Vein Specialist, and co-founded the video online magazine Venous Edge. As the principal investigator on multiple clinical trials, Dr. Elias brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the discussion.
The Vision Behind the Emerging Technologies Course
Dr. Elias shares the inspiration behind organizing a series of sessions on emerging technologies at various professional conferences and meetings. His motivation stems from a desire to explore new innovations in venous disease treatment that could benefit both patients and practitioners. The course is designed to highlight recent advancements and upcoming technologies that promise to make significant impacts in the field.
Key Areas of Exploration
Dr. Elias identifies several hot topics currently being explored in the realm of venous disease:
- Thrombus Removal: This area has seen significant technological advancements, with various thrombolytic and mechanical agents being developed to address acute thrombus removal effectively.
- Chronic Disease Management: Addressing post-thrombotic disease remains a challenge, particularly in ensuring good inflow into areas where stenting is required. New technologies are being developed to improve outcomes in chronic disease management.
- Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Treatment: Emerging technologies aim to treat PE more efficiently, providing quicker and more effective solutions for patients.
Areas Needing More Focus
While there have been considerable advancements in treating larger veins, Dr. Elias points out that smaller veins, such as reticular veins and cosmetic veins, still pose a challenge. The treatment results for these smaller veins are less predictable, and there’s a need for new technologies and techniques to improve outcomes. He encourages innovators to focus on developing solutions for these smaller veins to achieve more consistent and reliable results.
Participation and Challenges
Dr. Elias discusses the participation of various technologies in the upcoming sessions. While many smaller, startup companies are eager to showcase their innovations, some larger companies are hesitant to reveal their proprietary technologies at this stage. This reluctance is often due to concerns about competitors gaining insight into their developments before they are fully ready for the market. However, the course aims to provide a platform for showcasing promising new technologies, even if they are still in the preliminary stages.
Innovative Technologies to Watch
Dr. Elias highlights some of the technologies that will be featured in the sessions:
- Varixio Device: This device creates various concentrations of foam for treating small veins, offering a potential solution for more effective treatment.
- Perforating Vein Technologies: New methods for treating perforating veins, which are typically small, aim to improve outcomes in this area.
- Bullfrog Technology: A novel approach for addressing chronic post-thrombotic disease.
Additionally, the sessions will cover innovations in stenting, including trials for new stents dedicated to the inferior vena cava.
Interactive Learning Opportunities
One of the unique aspects of the course is the hands-on opportunities provided to participants. Attendees will have the chance to interact with the new technologies, speak with representatives from the companies, and get a first-hand look at the devices. This interactive approach aims to enhance understanding and foster collaboration between practitioners and innovators.
Conclusion
Dr. Elias’s enthusiasm for exploring new technologies in venous disease treatment is evident. His commitment to advancing the field through innovation and education is commendable. The sessions on emerging technologies promise to be an exciting and informative experience for all attendees. By embracing new ideas and encouraging practical solutions, Dr. Elias and his colleagues are paving the way for improved patient outcomes and more effective treatments in venous disease. Join these professional conferences and meetings to be a part of this groundbreaking exploration into the future of venous disease treatment.
This podcast was hosted by Anil Hingorani, MD, specially for the Vein & Lymphatic University (VLU) publication VLU Voices.