For the first time in the country, specialists treating some of the common venous diseases have launched Venous Association of India (VAI).

The VAI was formed with 100 invited chartered members from various specialities on the lines of American Venous Forum, British Venous Forum and the European Venous Forum.

To commemorate the launch, the VAI would organise a two-day conference VAICON-2008 from April 19, in which more than 150 people from India and abroad would participate.

The Foreign participation would be from US, Germany and France, VAI founder and Secretary Dr Saravanan Sunderaraj told reporters here today.

The Congress was aimed at creating awareness among doctors and public about venous diseases and other complications like Pulmonary embolism.

Observing that venous diseases were common in Indian sub-continent, he said some of them were varicose veins, Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) and Chronic venous insufficiency or leg ulcer.

There were several recent developments in the treatment of varicose veins like endovenous thermal ablation and ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy.

However, the most dreaded complication of DVT was pulmonary embolism, which if not properly treated, could be fatal.

The conference was aimed at updating the knowledge of the doctors in the field and how to manage thesese diseases.

The conference would be inaugurated by Director of Medical Education Dr Kalanidhi. - Bureau Report