CONFERENCES

Interventional radiology is a medical specialty that utilises imaging techniques, including ultrasound, CT, MRI and fluoroscopy, to guide minimally invasive procedures within the body. It is applied in a variety of situations, from blocking blood flow to tumours and repairing vascular malformations to stabilising vertebral fractures and delivering treatment directly to targeted areas.

One of its most impactful applications is in the management of acute stroke. Endovascular treatment, performed by interventional radiologists, can restore blood flow in blocked brain arteries, significantly improving the chances of recovery when performed within the right time window. 

Bogdan Dorobăț, MD, PhD, is one of Romania’s leading experts in interventional radiology and head of the Angiography and Endovascular Therapy Unit at the University Emergency Hospital Bucharest. He is internationally recognised for his work in minimally invasive treatment of acute stroke, diagnostic punctures and interventional drainage.

Led by Dr. Dorobăț, this conference will highlight the importance of interventional radiology in complex medical scenarios, with a special focus on acute stroke treatment, where every minute matters.

Minimally invasive procedures have become an integral component of contemporary cardiovascular care, significantly reducing the need for traditional open-heart surgery in many clinical scenarios. 

Interventional cardiology, as a subspecialty, focuses on catheter-based techniques to diagnose and treat a range of cardiac conditions, with a particular emphasis on coronary artery disease, valvular pathologies and structural heart defects.

Prof. Dragoș Vinereanu, MD, PhD, FESC, FRCP, FAHA, is a well-known Romanian cardiologist and researcher, recognised for his expertise in cardiac imaging, heart failure and atrial fibrillation. He led over 40 clinical trials as a member of the International Steering Committee, published extensively in leading medical journals and contributed to the development of major cardiology guidelines.

This conference, led by Prof. Vinereanu, will address key interventional procedures, including Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) for mitral valve regurgitation and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) for aortic stenosis. It will also cover the percutaneous closure of intracardiac defects, such as Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) and Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), highlighting their impact on patient management and the rising standards of care in the field.

By addressing current practices, procedural indications and emerging trends, this conference will explore the evolving role of interventional cardiology.

When the gut speaks, the brain listens. Explore the fascinating connection between the microbiome and mental health in our conference, led by Assoc. Prof. Grațiela Grădișteanu. You have the chance to discover how the gut-brain axis shapes our emotions and behavior and how it affects stress levels. It is no longer a secret that the microbiome contributes to the onset of metabolic disorders, anxiety and even depression. The conference will provide innovative perspectives for nutrition, personalized medicine and future therapies.

Assoc. Prof. Grațiela Grădișteanu is an expert in microbiome, immunology and molecular diagnostics, with over 100 scientific publications. She is the team leader at e-Bio-hub Research Center, Politehnica University of Bucharest and the coordinator of national and international projects focused on the role of microbiome in metabolic, infectious and cancer diseases.

Pain is the most common reason patients seek medical care, yet it remains one of the most challenging symptoms to treat. Traditional management often relies on long-term medication or invasive surgery, but a new paradigm is emerging — one that focuses on precision, minimal risk, and lasting relief.

Interventional pain therapy uses image-guided, minimally invasive procedures to target the exact source of pain. From spinal interventions and nerve blocks to advanced techniques for chronic musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain, this field offers patients effective alternatives that restore function and quality of life without the burden of extensive surgery.

Ovidiu Palea, MD, FIPP, an internationally recognised expert in interventional pain management and minimally invasive spine surgery, will lead this keynote. With dual training in Romania and the United States, he heads Romania’s only Integrated Center for Interventional Pain Management and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Pipera NORD Hospital — the only ESRA-accredited facility in Central and Eastern Europe. Founder of NORD Medical Group and President of the Romanian Association of Interventional Algology, Dr. Palea has dedicated his career to multidisciplinary education and advancing global standards in pain relief.

This conference will explore the role of interventional techniques in managing different types of acute and chronic pain, the latest innovations in spine interventions, and the future of pain therapy where precision prevails over invasion.