Imperial College London to host the largest and longest running vascular symposium in Europe

During the four-day conference, experts will discuss new technologies, new techniques and new horizons in the field of vascular medicine. The conference is aimed at all vascular specialists, including vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, interventional cardiologists and vascular physicians.

During the symposium, a number of innovations will be presented including:

• A new concept in endovascular grafting � the balloon endograft
• Technologies to address total occlusions
• Data on third generation venous valves for percutaneous delivery

In addition, all the major vascular and endovascular controversies will be debated by acknowledged experts, including: Sir Peter Bell, David Bergqvist, Tom Fogarty, Barry Katzen, Frank Veith, Geoffrey White, and Jay Yadav.

Professor Roger Greenhalgh, convenor of the Charing Cross International Symposium, from Imperial College London and the Charing Cross hospital comments: "In the twenty five years since the Charing Cross Symposium was first convened, vascular medicine has changed to an enormous extent. Developments such as stenting and balloon angioplasty make a huge impact on patient survival today.

"Despite this, there still remain a considerable number of challenges in this extremely complicated field, and we hope that through symposia such as these, we will be able to further develop the technology and skills needed to benefit patients."

The symposium will be held at Imperial College London's, South Kensington Campus between 12 � 15 April, and in addition to presentations and discussions on the latest research, there will also be training and revision courses offered.

For journalists wishing to attend all or part of the conference, please contact Tony Stephenson in the Imperial College Press office to reserve a place.

Notes to editors:

1. For further information, or to attend the conference, please contact Stephanie Chapman, BIBA Conferences, 87 Greyhound Road, London, W6 8NJ, Tel: 44-207-381-1333, Fax: 44-207-381-8838.
2. Consistently rated in the top three UK university institutions, Imperial College London is a world leading science-based university whose reputation for excellence in teaching and research attracts students (10,000) and staff (5,000) of the highest international quality. Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and management and delivers practical solutions that enhance the quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture. Website: www.imperial.ac.uk.