“Don’t forget the venous system”

In conversation with Venous News at Paris Vascular Insights (PVI) 2023 (8–10 November, Paris, France), Michael Lichtenberg (Arnsberg, Germany) spoke at length on the state of play in the venous field. The chief medical officer and director of the Angiology Department and Vascular Center at the Arnsberg Clinic urged specialists, “don’t forget the venous system.” He elaborated that “there are so many young patients out there suffering from post-thrombotic syndrome, from abdominal pain, swelling of the limbs” and that the deep venous system should be evaluated as the potential root of these clinical problems. Lichtenberg also spoke on the rise of dedicated venous stents, especially in the European market, noting that several are now available. “It’s good to have different options available,” he commented. Lichtenberg did underline some areas that require further research, however, for example stenting of the inferior vena cava (IVC). “I don’t see at the moment an approved stent which is really dedicated for this area,” he said, emphasising that future innovations in this area would be welcomed.