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Riga East Hospital hosted an international conference and masterclass on innovations in treatment of cardiovascular diseases
From 22 to 23 August 2025, Riga East Clinical University Hospital (East Hospital) hosted the fifth international and interdisciplinary conference in the Baltics, this year titled Aorta to Neck/Acute to Chronic focusing on acute and chronic pathologies of the aortic arch and brachiocephalic arteries. The conference brings together a record number of Europe’s leading specialists in interventional radiology and vascular surgery who shared their experience in the current treatment methods of vascular diseases. Several endovascular interventional radiology procedures will be demonstrated in the operating room of the Interventional Radiology Department at the East Hospital. Meanwhile, Ukrainian vascular surgeons will share their expertise on brachiocephalic artery forensic injuries and treatment approaches.
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide, claiming more than 17 million lives each year and accounting for about 45% of all deaths, and Latvia is no exception – cardiovascular diseases of atherosclerotic origin are the primary cause of mortality, particularly among the elderly. Many cardiovascular diseases are associated with atherosclerosis – a condition in which cholesterol deposits and plaques accumulate in the arterial walls narrowing the blood vessels and may lead to myocardial infarction, stroke, thrombosis of the leg arteries, or abdominal aorta. Although atherosclerotic changes progress slowly and often without early signs, the risk factors, such as increased cholesterol level, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and physical inactivity, are well-known and, to some extent, controllable.
The international conference Aorta to Neck/Acute to Chronic at the East Hospital brought together Europe’s leading vascular experts with lectures, presentations, and masterclasses on various topics. The focus ranged from open vascular surgery to endovascular interventional radiology therapies for patients with atherosclerotic changes of brachiocephalic artery and aortic arch as well as other conditions. Live broadcasting of endovascula procedures will take place in the Interventional Radiology Department operating room, conducted by East Hospital’s interventional radiologists. The procedures and ensuing discussion will be moderated by Professor Martin Malina and Professor Armando Mansilha, guest of honours at the event and recognised internationally as a leading experts in vascular surgery and endovascular methods.
The conference was initiated by East Hospital experts: Head of the Interventional Radiology Department at Gaiļezers inpatient facility, Sanita Ponomarjova, vascular surgeon Dr. med. Patrīcija Ivanova and interventional radiologist and Head of the Radiology Centre, Aina Kratovska;
Aina Kratovska, Head of East Hospital’s Radiology Centre, explains: “We are now hosting the conference for the fifth time, and every year, East Hospital manages to bring together a growing number of international experts, thereby enhancing the hospital’s visibility on a European scale. The objective of bringing together leading vascular specialists to exchange experience and discuss the application of the newest therapeutic methods in vascular pathology will thus be achieved. The promotion of international and multidisciplinary cooperation among interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons of diverse fields offers patients more comprehensive treatment possibilities.”
At present, a range of vascular diseases caused by atherosclerosis can be managed by minimally invasive methods, i.e., intravascularly, by opening a critically narrowed or occluded segment of the vessel and inserting special materials that help keep the vessel open over time. For aortic aneurysms, special covered stents, also known as stent grafts, can be implanted within the vessel, effectively creating a new and secure channel for blood circulation. This excludes the aneurysmal dilation from the bloodstream, thereby reducing rupture risk and safeguarding the patient’s life.
This type of minimally invasive treatment methods are known as endovascular procedures which have seen remarkable progress over the past three decades. Endovascular surgery requires no major incisions – only a small puncture in the vessel is needed to introduce the required devices. In vascular interventions, the key benefit lies not in the cosmetic result but in the fact that recovery is considerably faster after minimally invasive procedures. Therefore, such minimally invasive surgeries can be often performed in the day hospital setting. Following endovascular correction of a vascular pathology, patients are often discharged as early as the next day.
The conference held by the East Hospital brings together Europe’s leading specialists in the field, allowing them to meet on a regular basis and exchange the latest techniques and insights. According to Sanita Ponomarjova, Head of the Interventional Radiology Department at Gaiļezers facility: “The purpose of the conference is also to unite physicians who perform minimally invasive vascular procedures in their everyday work. We meet every two years to review newly introduced treatment methods and to exchange experience and knowledge.”
Guest lecturers Sergio Nappini (Italy), Vladimir Mikaloski (Switzerland), Martin Malina (United Kingdom), Svetlana Rudņicka (Denmark), Armando Mansilha and Joana Fereira (Portugal), Krzysztof Bartosz Kadziolka, and Tomasz Ostrowski (Poland), Taras Kobza, Ihor Kobza, Yuliia Mota, Vasyl Peleck, Rostyslav Zhuk, Yuriy Orel, Andryi Koval, Andriy Piliukh, and Dmytro Beshley (Ukraine), Kipras Mikelis, Artūras Mackevičius, Linas Velicka, and Tomas Baltrunas (Lithuania), as well as Pritt Poder (Estonia) will share insights and conclusions drawn from their surgical experience in performing minimally invasive, patient-friendly vascular surgeries. Representing Latvia in interventional radiology, interventional cardiology, and vascular surgery, along with East Hospital’s leading specialists, will be Professor Andrejs Ērglis and Dr. med. Mārtiņš Kapickis.
“We are truly honoured to welcome to the international conference both leading interventional radiologists and authorities in vascular surgery, since cooperation between these specialties has become essential to patient-oriented healthcare.” As usual, together we will gain new knowledge and professional skills, while building further international cooperation links to promote the training of young specialists,” recognises Dr. med. Patrīcija Ivanova.
Live case demonstration of endovascular procedures will take place in the operating room of the Interventional Radiology Clinic, where procedures will be performed on patients with critical atherosclerotic narrowing of the carotid arteries – a condition that poses a high risk of stroke if left untreated. The planned procedures – percutaneous transluminal angioplasties – will be performed using a minimally invasive endovascular approach, as open surgical interventions are either technically unfeasible or pose an increased risk of complications due to comorbidities in these patients. Carotid artery angioplasty has been a proven and effective method of treating critical stenoses for many years; however, during the demonstrations of procedures, advanced outcome-monitoring systems such as intravascular ultrasound will be used, along with the latest-generation stents designed to reduce the risk of perioperative complications.
Minimally invasive treatment methods are relatively new and continue to evolve with the use of increasingly refined materials and innovative approaches. Nevertheless, while endovascular methods are now widely applied, open vascular surgery remains of great importance and, in many cases, is still the first-choice strategy. Therefore, it is vital that specialists maintain interdisciplinary communication, exchange experiences, and pool their knowledge to ensure the best possible solutions for patients and constantly enhance treatment options.
For more details and the conference agenda, please visit:
https://aslimnica.lv/mc/agenda/
About the East Hospital
Riga East Clinical University Hospital is the largest and strategically significant multi-profile hospital in the country. The hospital consists of five inpatient facilities – Gaiļezers, Latvian Oncology Centre, Biķernieki, Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Centre, and Latvian Infectious Diseases Centre, along with various specialised centres and clinics. The hospital provides highly specialised inpatient and secondary outpatient healthcare, offering multidisciplinary tertiary-level treatment and care in line with modern technology and medical knowledge. Approximately 80% of all cancer patients in Latvia are treated at the hospital. It serves as a practical training base for both Latvian educational institutions and foreign students, providing further education and knowledge transfer to healthcare specialists within and beyond the country. The hospital engages in scientific research and develops innovative methods for patient treatment. As the third-largest employer in the country, the hospital employs around 5000 staff members.
