A Global Vascular Conference

International Vascular Congress (IVC)

A Venous Legacy. A Vascular Future.

The International Vascular Congress (IVC) represents the evolution of a meeting that has helped shape modern venous and vascular care for more than two decades.

Originally founded as the International Vein Congress by Dr. Jose I. Almeida, IVC was created to provide an open, clinically relevant forum at a time when minimally invasive venous therapies were rapidly emerging yet lacked a formal academic platform. From its inception, the meeting emphasized practical education, thoughtful innovation, and candid discussion—prioritizing patient outcomes over promotion.

Today, IVC has entered a new chapter as an official academic meeting of the University of Miami Department of Surgery. Dr. Almeida remains Course Chairman, ensuring continuity of leadership while leveraging the academic rigor, institutional reach, and educational resources of a major university surgical department.

An Academic Mission Focused on the Next Generation

At its core, the mission of IVC is to educate, mentor, and develop the next generation of vascular specialists.

This commitment has driven the expansion of structured educational programming, including a dedicated Fellows & Trainees Track designed to provide early-career physicians with foundational knowledge, exposure to complex disease states, and direct engagement with expert faculty. The fellows curriculum emphasizes clinical judgment, technical proficiency, and ethical decision-making—preparing trainees for the realities of modern vascular practice.

Hands-On Education That Translates to Practice

A defining feature of the International Vascular Congress is its emphasis on immersive, hands-on learning.

IVC offers:

·       Hands-on vascular ultrasound training, focusing on image acquisition, interpretation, and procedure-guided applications

·       Simulation-based training on endovascular devices, allowing participants to gain practical experience in a supervised, risk-free environment

·       Industry-supported simulation platforms, providing exposure to current and emerging technologies while maintaining academic oversight and educational independence

These experiential sessions are designed to accelerate skill acquisition, reinforce best practices, and enhance procedural confidence for both trainees and practicing physicians.

Expanding the Arterial Focus

A key addition to IVC’s leadership and educational scope is Dr. Jean Panneton, who joins the meeting as Co-Chair and faculty member within the University of Miami Department of Surgery.

Dr. Panneton brings extensive experience in advanced endovascular and open interventions of the abdominal and thoracic aorta. Under his leadership, IVC now features a parallel Arterial Track, complementing the established venous, fellows, and ultrasound programs.

The arterial curriculum provides comprehensive, case-based education covering the full breadth of arterial disease interventions, including:

·       Abdominal and thoracic aortic pathology

·       Complex aneurysm management

·       Advanced endovascular techniques

·       Hybrid and open surgical strategies

·       PAD, CLI, Carotid, etc.

This parallel structure reflects the increasingly integrated nature of venous and arterial practice and reinforces IVC’s position as a truly comprehensive vascular meeting.

Comprehensive, Contemporary Vascular Education

IVC has continuously evolved alongside the field itself. Educational content now spans:

·       Superficial and deep venous disease

·       Venous stenting and reconstruction

·       Mechanical thrombectomy and thrombus management

·       Pelvic venous disorders

·       Hemodynamics and advanced imaging

·       Aortic, carotid, and extremity arterial interventions

Faculty-led lectures, panels, and case discussions emphasize evidence-based care, real-world decision-making, and open debate around emerging technologies and practice models.

A Vital Forum for Industry Collaboration

The International Vascular Congress continues to feature a robust and highly engaged exhibit hall, with participation from all major industry partners relevant to venous and vascular disease management.

Industry collaboration remains central to the meeting’s success through:

·       Technology exhibits and clinical education

·       Hands-on simulation devices and training platforms

·       Sponsorship and unrestricted educational grants supporting trainee participation

This collaborative ecosystem—uniting academia, clinicians, and industry—ensures that education remains current, practical, and forward-looking.

Still Leading. Now Stronger.

Few medical meetings endure for more than two decades. IVC has done so by evolving with the field, maintaining intellectual independence, and placing education at the center of its mission.

Now, as a university-based conference with global reach and expanded arterial and venous programming, the International Vascular Congress is uniquely positioned to shape the future of vascular care—by training young physicians, advancing knowledge, and fostering collaboration across generations.

The name has evolved.
The mission has expanded.
The impact continues.