Nearly 200 doctors and researchers from across the country discussed the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency at a medical education programme in HCM City last week.

The programme featured live surgeries performed by Dr. Olivier Hartung from France's Assistance Publique – Hopitaux de Marseille together with doctors from the HCM City University Medical Centre.

Most people with CVI fail to be diagnosed or properly treated at an early enough stage since they usually ignore early symptoms like swelling in the lower legs and pain or tiredness in the legs, according to Assoc. Prof. Le Nu Thi Hoa Hiep of the HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

Ignored, it could cause pulmonary embolism that can often be fatal.

CVI affects retired people more and women are more susceptible than men, she said.

It is most treatable in the early stages, with the basic treatment protocol prohibiting prolonged sitting or standing and requiring regular exercise, losing weight and practising good skin hygiene.

Endovenous thermal ablation, a new technique that uses laser or high-frequency radio waves to create intense local heat in the affected vein, was among the topics discussed at the programme organised by the HCM City University Medical Centre.-VNA