The III Annual Conference of the Ukrainian Stroke Medicine Society

From June 7 to 9, the III Annual Conference of the Ukrainian Stroke Medicine Society took place in Kyiv. We are pleased that this time the event was held in an offline format—over the past four years, this conference became the first offline event dedicated to stroke care. Despite all the current challenges, about 300 participants and 50 speakers joined us, and we are grateful to each of them for such a strong turnout.

During the three days, attendees had the opportunity to join various scientific sessions that covered the most relevant issues for them. Apart from the joint general session, three thematic meetings were held simultaneously.

These included joint sessions with the Ukrainian Association of Neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, cardiologists, and rehabilitation specialists. The multidisciplinary approach to stroke patient management was discussed at each stage of the disease from the perspective of each specialist involved.

Information on primary and secondary prevention aspects, neuroimaging issues, decision-making tactics, and treatment choices were presented in line with the latest recommendations and research findings.

Additionally, the general sessions highlighted the current state of stroke care in Ukraine, discussing the latest trends, development of regulatory frameworks for stroke care, and organizational issues.

The results of the latest major clinical studies presented at ESOC2024 were also discussed: the relevance of tenecteplase thrombolytic therapy frequently appears in leading research topics, new approaches to endovascular treatment, and secondary prevention were considered to achieve maximum compliance and the best outcomes for patients.

The endovascular medicine and neurosurgery sessions addressed the most pressing and extensive issues regarding ICAD, tandem occlusions, debatable patient selection criteria for treatment, and complications.

Professor Thanh Nguyen's presentation sparked significant interest among the audience, as the scope of neuroimaging studies and patient selection criteria for endovascular treatment always provoke lively discussions and doubts.

Part of the conference sessions was also dedicated to post-stroke management, as the management of such patients remains underrepresented in our realities. Materials were presented by psychiatrists, PRM doctors, neurologists, and cardiologists on strategies to achieve maximum control of stroke risk factors and patient functional recovery.

Professor Julius Ptaszek presented methods of anticoagulant therapy control—another aspect of stroke patient management that constantly requires algorithm review based on individual clinical cases.

In addition to clinical-practical issues, the opportunities for training in stroke medicine were presented, which are especially relevant today for doctors who are just starting their professional journey.

Controversial issues, practical training on neurointervention skills and ultrasound diagnostics, simulations, and clinical case discussions allowed participants to apply the knowledge gained in practice.

The joint session with the Angels Initiative highlighted the importance of monitoring the quality of stroke unit work and possible optimization of patient pathways—organizational issues always provide space for new improvements in stroke care.

Colleagues from hospitals with dynamic development shared their experiences regarding the expansion of reperfusion treatment, and heads of departments from Rivne Regional Clinical Hospital named after Yuri Semeniuk, Zhytomyr City Clinical Hospital No. 1, Kirovohrad Regional Hospital, and Zaporizhzhia City Hospital No. 9 were recognized for their contributions to stroke care development.

In addition to the experiences of stroke unit heads, conference participants also heard from neurologists who are realizing their professional potential as neurointerventionists.

We want to thank the RIMON team, who brought this idea to life, our partners for their support, the speakers and attendees for their participation: thanks to joint efforts, the event achieved its full significance!

Creating stroke care together!

More photos here