13th EVF HOW 2026

Congress Venue

Holiday Inn Krakow City Center
Wielopole 4-8,
31-072 Krakow,
Poland
Tel: +48 12 619 0000

Email: bc@hik.krakow.pl
Website: www.hik.krakow.pl

Conference Dates

1st October 2026 - 3rd October 2026

Congress Office

Anne Taft
Email: admin@europeanvenousforum.org
Tel: Mob: + 44 (0)7702 603398
Tel: Land: +44 (0)20 8575 7044

Dawn Bond
Email: exhibibiton@europeanvenousforum.org
Tel: Mob: +44 (0)7815 075664
Tel: Main: +44 (0)20 8575 7044

Congress Dates and Times
The Congress will open on Thursday 1 October at 07.30 and will close on Saturday 3 October at 17.35

Registration Desk
The Registration Desk will be open at the following times:
Thursday 1 October                07.00 - 18.00
Friday 2 October                     07.15 - 18.00
Saturday 3 October                07.15 - 18.00

On Site Registration
Please note: On site registration will not be available

Congress language
The official language of the congress is English.

Certificate of Attendance
A certificate of attendance will be available for all participants.

Accreditation
An application has been made to the EACCME for CME accreditation of this event

Changes
The organizers reserve the right to amend the programme as necessary.

Insurance
The organisers do not accept responsibility for individual medical, travel or personal insurance and delegates are strongly advised to take out their own personal insurance policies

Transportation
Krakow International airport has several direct connections with most European cities. 
The hotel is approximately 16.2 km (30 minutes) drive from the hotel. 

Car:
If travelling by car, the hotel is approx 300 km from Warsaw, 278 km from Wrocław, 477 km from Poznań, and 611 km Gdańsk. The Hotel offers limited parking place.  If places are not available, guests are directed to the nearest parking close to the hotel. 

Taxi:
Taxis are available at the airport. Ask for a price at the beginning of the journey.
The hotel can also arrange transfers from the airport at a cost of approximately Euro 25-30 one way.  Please contact the hotel (bc@hik.krakow.pl) to arrange this service. 

Train
If travelling by train to Krakow, the hotel is approximately a 15 min walk from Main Railway Station.  Alternatively, guests can use Kraków’s extensive tram network, with several stops located within a short walking distance of the hotel. Single-ride and time-based tickets can be purchased from ticket machines located at major stops and on many trams. Guests are also encouraged to download the Jakdojade mobile application, which provides up-to-date public transport timetables, journey planning, real-time departure information, route maps, and the possibility to purchase public transport tickets directly within the app. The application is available in English and is widely used throughout Kraków, making it easy to navigate the city using public transport.

Climate
The average weather in Kraków in October is around 10-13°C during the day, with cooler evenings and occasional rainfall.

Badges
Please wear your badges at all times

Local Information 
For local information, maps etc. please visit the Krakow Tourism Board:
https://krakow.travel/en
https://visitkrakow.com/
http://www.krakow-info.com/information.htm
https://karnet.krakowculture.pl/ 
www.inyourpocket.com/poland/krakow
www.cracowtours.pl
Tours can also be booked at the hotel reception or concierge.  Please contact them on: +48 12 619 00 00,

e-mail address: bc@hik.krakow.pl  

Thursday 1st October 2026

07.30   Welcome
Chronic Venous Disease (CVD) – Basics
Moderator: Tomasz Urbanek (Poland)
07.35     Pathophysiology of CVD, risk factors and disease progression. Arkadiusz Jawien (Poland)
07.45     Definition of Venous Symptoms. Tobias Hirsch (Germany)
07.55     Importance of CEAP classification in CVD. Niels Baekgaard (Denmark)
08.05     How accurate are our ultrasound tests for reflux and obstruction? Frank Zernovicky (Slovakia)
08.15      Plethysmography in primary and secondary CVD.  Sara Fronterrè (Italy)
08.25     Evaluation tools for CVD patients and assessment of outcomes. Tobias Hirsh (Germany)
08.35-8.55       Discussion
Non-invasive Treatment of CVD
Moderator: Imre Bihari (Hungary)
08.55     Are drugs indicated and efficient? Arkadiusz Jawien (Poland)
09.05     When and how to use bandages? Karin van der Wegen (Netherlands)
09.15      When to use stockings. Michel Jünger (Germany)
09.25     When and how to use intermittent pneumatic compression. Tomasz Urbanek (Poland)
09.35-9.55       Discussion
09.55 – 10.15             Coffee break
10.15     Recorded cases of injection sclerotherapy (foam and liquid) and discussion
                        Tobias Hirsch (Germany), Wojciech Rybak (Poland), Tomasz Urbanek (Poland)
10.45    The “Nuts and Bolts” of the workshops:  Niels Baekgaard (Denmark)
10.50–11.00    Before we start - Interventional treatments of varicose veins 
Workshops: 11.00 - 13.00
Venous ultrasound - duplex investigations of superficial, deep and pelvic veins, Saphenous ablation techniques: endovenous laser, radiofrequency, mechanochemical ablation, cyanoacrylate adhesive, Foam and liquid sclerotherapy, Compression stocking, Compression wraps, Compression bandages, Venoactive drugs, IVUS, Venous Stenting, Invasive DVT treatment – early thrombus removal, Venous valve surgery, Venous Plethysmography, Pelvic vein incompetence – embolization and stenting.
13.00 – 14.00  Lunch
Superficial incompetence (1)
Optimal technique
Moderator: Imre Bihari (Hungary)
14.00    Varicose vein surgery with and without saphenous vein removal.  Dominik Heim (Switzerland)
14.10     Pathways of reflux at the SF Junction – clinical implications.  Tobias Hirsch (Germany)
14.20    When do I use thermal ablation by endovenous laser.  Lars Müller (Germany)
14.30    Radiofrequency ablation – an option for thermal ablation.  José María Hipola Ulecia (Spain)
14.40    When and how to use non-thermal ablation by glue.  Tobias Hirsh (Germany)
14.50    When do I use mechano-chemical ablation.  Tomasz Urbanek (Poland)
15.00-15.15 Discussion
15.15     Diagnosis and Intervention for recurrence (PREVAIT).  Dominik Heim (Switzerland)
15.25    Complex cases of reflux and obstruction.  Taha Khan (UK)
15.35    Pelvic vein diseases.  When and how to intervene.  Suat Doganci (Turkey)
15.45 -16.00    Discussion
16.00- 16.30  Clinical case presentations and discussion
16.30 – 16.50  Coffee break
Workshops: 16.50 - 18.50
Venous ultrasound - duplex investigations of superficial, deep and pelvic veins, Saphenous ablation techniques: endovenous laser, radiofrequency, mechanochemical ablation, cyanoacrylate adhesive, Foam and liquid sclerotherapy, Compression stocking, Compression wraps, Compression bandages, Venoactive drugs, IVUS, Venous Stenting,  Invasive DVT treatment – early thrombus removal, Venous valve surgery, Venous Plethysmography, Pelvic vein incompetence – embolization and stenting.

Friday 2nd October 2026

Superficial incompetence (2) 
Sclerotherapy (foam, liquid), Laser, Hybrid
Moderator: Dominik Heim (Switzerland)
07.30     Sclerotherapy in cosmetic treatment.  Tomasz Urbanek (Poland)
07.40     Percutaneous laser treatment in aesthetic phlebology.  Wojciech Rybak (Poland)
07.50     Treatment of varicose veins and recurrent varicose veins with foam.  Dominik Heim (Switzerland)
08.00     How to avoid complications of foam sclerotherapy? Tomasz Urbanek (Poland)
08.10      Hybrid interventional treatment in superficial vein incompetence.  Wojciech Rybak (Poland)
08.20     Learning from the clinical cases - Venous leg ulcer treatment by foam and minimal invasive.  Imre Bihari (Hungary)
08.30-8.50  Discussion
Management of acute Thromboembolism (1)
Moderator: Niels Baekgaard (Denmark)
08.50     CTV, MRV, IVUS and venography in the venous workup (acute DVT and CVD).  Taha Khan (UK)
09.00     2026 update of antithrombotic acute DVT treatment.  Tomasz Urbanek (Poland)
09.10      Can we prevent DVT recurrence?  Does thrombophilia screening matter? Tobias Hirsch (Germany)
09.20     Compression and patient mobilisation in acute DVT treatment.Michael Jünger (Germany)
09.30     Current treatment of superficial vein thrombosis.  Michal Goran Stanisic (Poland)}
09.40–10.00    Discussion
10.00 – 10.30  Case presentations and discussion
10.30 -11.00    Coffee break
Workshops: 11.00 – 13.00
Venous ultrasound - duplex investigations of superficial, deep and pelvic veins, Saphenous ablation techniques: endovenous laser, radiofrequency, mechanochemical ablation, cyanoacrylate adhesive, Foam and liquid sclerotherapy, Compression stocking, Compression wraps, Compression bandages, Venoactive drugs, IVUS, Venous Stenting, Invasive DVT treatment – early thrombus removal, Venous valve surgery, Venous Plethysmography,  Pelvic vein incompetence – embolization and stenting.
13.00 – 14.00  Lunch
Management of acute Thromboembolism (2)
Moderator: Niels Baekgaard (Denmark)
14.00    Can we prevent the post-thrombotic syndrome? Tomasz Urbanek (Poland)
14.10     Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT). Rationale and advantages. Niels Baekgaard (Denmark)
14.20    Options for pharmaco-mechanical and mechanical thrombectomy.  Suat Dognaci (Turkey)
14.30    The “shift” from CDT to mechanical thrombus removal. Taha Khan (UK)
14.40–15.00 Discussion
15.00     Why IVUS is mandatory in acute and chronic obstruction treatment?  Learning from Clinical cases.  David Greenstein (UK)
15.10      How to create and open deep vein intervention centre for acute DVT patients.  Who should we treat?  Michał Goran Stanisic
             (Poland)
15.20     Antithrombotic treatment after Venous Stenting in acute and chronic obstruction treatment.  Jakub Kęsik (Poland)
15.30-15.45 Discussion
15.45–16.15    Case presentations
16.15–16.35    Coffee break
Workshops: 16.35 - 18.35
Venous ultrasound - duplex investigations of superficial, deep and pelvic veins, Saphenous ablation techniques: endovenous laser, radiofrequency, mechanochemical ablation, cyanoacrylate adhesive, Foam and liquid sclerotherapy, Compression stocking, Compression wraps, Compression bandages, Venoactive drugs, IVUS, Venous Stenting, Invasive DVT treatment – early thrombus removal, Venous valve surgery, Venous Plethysmography, Pelvic vein incompetence – embolization and stenting

Saturday 3rd October 2026

Diagnosis and treatment of chronic venous insufficiency and chronic venous obstruction
Moderator: Dominik Heim (Switzerland)
07.30     Sequential treatment plan for CVD.  Imre Bihari (Hungary)
07.40     Contra-indications and border line indications to medical compression. Tomasz Urbanek (Poland)
07.50     Clinical practical management of venous ulcer. Arkadiusz Jawien (Poland)
08.00     Compression for venous leg ulcer treatment and prevention – practical advice. Karin van der Wegen (Netherlands)   
08.10-08.25     Discussion
08.25     Treatment of chronic post-thrombotic deep vein obstruction.  Taha Khan (UK)
08.35     NIVIL (Non Thrombotic Iliac Vein Lesions) – when to treat and how?  Suat Dognaci (Turkey)
08.45 – 9.00 Discussion
09.00     Venous valve reconstruction.  Sara Fronterrè (Italy)
09.10     When to treat and when not to treat perforator incompetence? Frank Zernovicky (Slovakia)
09.20    Can we determine the relative importance of obstruction and reflux in an individual patient? Jakub Kęsik (Poland)
09.30    Phlebolymphoedema.   Marek Iłzecki (Poland)
09.40 – 9.55    Discussion
09.55 – 10.25    Case presentations and discussion
10.25 – 10.45    Coffee break
Diagnosis and treatment of lymphedema  
Moderator: Tomasz Urbanek (Poland)
10.45 -11.05    State-of-the-Art management of patients with lymphoedema. Andrzej Szuba (Poland)
11.05 -11.15    Discussion
Workshops: 11.15 – 13.15
Venous ultrasound - duplex investigations of superficial, deep and pelvic veins, Saphenous ablation techniques: endovenous laser, radiofrequency, mechanochemical ablation, cyanoacrylate adhesive, Foam and liquid sclerotherapy, Compression stocking, Compression wraps, Compression bandages, Venoactive drugs, IVUS, Venous Stenting, Invasive DVT treatment – early thrombus removal, Venous valve surgery, Venous Plethysmography, Pelvic vein incompetence – embolization and stenting
13.15     End of meeting.  Presentation of Case Presentation Prize
 

Work Stations

Station 1. RF Ablation
JM Hipola Ulecia (Spain)
Station 2.  Compression
Michael Juenger (Germany)
Station 3. Compression
Karin van der Wegen (Netherlands)
Station 4. IVUS
David Greenstein (UK)
Station 5. Laser Ablation
Lars Mueller (Germany)
Station 6. Venoactive drugs
Arkadiusz Jawien (Poland)
Station 7. Venous thrombectomy
Michal Goran Stanisic (Poland)
Station 8. Venous Stenting
Taha Khan (UK)
Station 9. Mechano-chemical ablation
Mikołaj Maga (Poland)
Station 10. Foam Sclerotherapy
Tomasz Urbanek (Poland)
Station 11. Compression bandages
Marek Iłżecki (Poland)
Station 12. Compression Wraps/Laser
Dominik Heim (Switzerland)
Station 13. Cyanoacrylate adhesive
Tobias Hirsch (Germany)
Station 14. Pelvic Vein embolisation and stenting
Suat Doganci (Turkey)
Station 15. Esthetic phlebology* - C1 treatment
TBC
Station 16. Air pletysmography/Open vein valve reconstruction
Sara Fronterre (Italy)
Station 17. Venous Ultrasound - Superficial Veins
Frank Zernovicki (Slovakia)
Station 18. Venous Ultrasound – Deep Veins
Jakub Kęsik (Poland)
Station 19. Venous Utrasound  - Abdominal and Pelvic
Marzena Frołow (Poland)
Station 20. Venous ultrasound – Recurrent Varicocose Veins
Imre Bihari  (Hungary)
 

Local Information 
For local information, maps etc. please visit the Krakow Tourism Board:
https://krakow.travel/en
https://visitkrakow.com/
http://www.krakow-info.com/information.htm
https://karnet.krakowculture.pl/
www.inyourpocket.com/poland/krakow
www.cracowtours.pl

Tours can also be booked at the hotel reception or concierge. 
Please contact them on: +48 12 619 00 00
e-mail address: bc@hik.krakow.pl  

The European Venous Forum is committed to organising fully compliant meetings.
EACCME
The 13th EVF HOW, 1-3 October 2026, Krakow, Poland has applied to EACCME for European CME credits (ECMECs) by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME).  

EFPIA - e4ethics
The Exhibitor or Sponsor exhibiting or promoting pharmaceutical products is advised to consult the advice of the Healthcare Professionals (HCP) Code presented by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) (EFPIA Code).

MedTech Compliance
The MedTech Europe Code of Ethical Business Practice regulates all aspects of the industry's relationship with Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) and Healthcare Organisations (HCOs), such as financial support to medical education. 

It is the exhibitors' or sponsors' responsibility to comply with all national and international laws and regulations relating to your industry and that you have approval for the specific exhibition or sponsorship items. 

The EVF is not liable in any way for sponsors or exhibitors not complying to legal, ethical and industry standards.

The 13th EVF HOW is Pre-Cleared - EMT-25-06850 
MedTech Compliance / EFPIA - e4ethics
As from 1 January 2021 the Conference Vetting system and the e4ethics platform have come together.  The two associations, MedTech Europe and EFPIA have a common and unique platform assessing medical conferences.  Third-Party Organised Events can only be submitted via the Ethical MedTech website.

Italian Sponsors
Any Italian pharmaceutical company supporting or participating in a congress abroad, is subjected to an authorisation by AIFA (Italian Drug Agency), according to an Italian Government Decree (Decreto Legislativo 219/06 art. 124).  The request of authorisation must be submitted within 60 day before the starting date of the event. In compliance with the given instructions please contact for the AIFA application documents.
 

ACCOMMODATION
Excellent rates for delegates have been obtained at the conference venue (Holiday Inn).
RATES (rates quoted (per room, per night) are inclusive of VAT, breakfast, WiFi and Service Charge

Holiday Inn Kraków City Center

Wielopole 4, 31-072 Kraków, Poland
Tel.: +48 12 619 00 00
Fax.: +48 12 619 01 53
http://www.hik.krakow.pl

Standard Room
Single: 680 pln per night
Double: 780 pln per night

Executive Room
Single: 880 pln per night

Book Accommodation
 

Until 30th August 2026
Guest has a right to decrease or cancel room reservation without any cancellation charge.  Cancellation after this date will result in a cancellation fee equivalent to the full stay. 
Please note the full Terms and Conditions when making your booking.
 

Additional hotels

Wielopole Hotel
(situated opposite the Holiday Inn Hotel)
Ul Wielopole 3/3a
31-072 Krakow, Poland
Tel/Fax: +48 12 42 21 475
http://www.wielopole.pl

Campanile Hotel
(approx. 5 min walk from Holiday Inn Hotel)
Ul sw Tomasza 34,
31-023 Krakow, Poland
Tel: +48 12 42 42 600
www.campanile.com.pl

Mercure Krakow Old Town
Ul Pawia 18B,
31-154 Krakow, Poland
Tel: +48 12 2251111
https://all.accor.com/hotel/9627/index.en.shtml
Email: h9627@accor.com

Tribe Krakow Old Town
Ul Worcella 8,
31-154 Krakow, Poland
Tel: +48 12 213 37 00
https://tribehotels.com/en/poland/krakow-old-town/
Email: HC2P1@accor.com/HC2P1-RE@ACCOR.COM