The 4th Yerevan International Cardiovascular Symposium was held at Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi, bringing together leading cardiologists and cardiovascular specialists from Armenia and abroad. A joint Armenian-German meeting is also being held as part of the symposium, aimed at expanding international professional cooperation and the exchange of experience.
Under the central theme “Heart Failure: from Prevention to Transplantation”, the program covered modern approaches to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart failure, updates to clinical guidelines, and current strategies regarding various stages of disease management.
Welcoming the symposium participants, YSMU Rector, Professor Armen Muradyan remarked: “Today, under the roof of the country’s leading medical university, we are discussing the most pressing issues: mortality and disability caused by cardiovascular diseases, and the overall alleviation of the healthcare burden. This issue remains a top priority worldwide. Certain European countries have succeeded in reducing these rates. However, I assure you: no country in the world—even by utilizing its full resources—can resolve this issue unless, beyond mere organization, we are able to communicate clearly with the public and articulate the core challenges.”
Among the key issues, he highlighted the fight against smoking, problems related to excess weight, and hypertension. According to the Rector, approximately one in five people over the age of 70 suffers from these conditions.
“It is a great pleasure to participate in the fourth congress of its kind. The prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases is a priority for the Government because, unfortunately, cardiovascular disease ranks first among causes of death in Armenia, claiming thousands of lives annually. We have come a long way in this regard; significant work has been accomplished in recent years concerning infrastructure development, the advancement of the professional community, and the accessibility of services. As a result, we are seeing a reduction in mortality—one of the most important indicators,” Anahit Avanesyan, Minister of Health of the Republic of Armenia, emphasized.
According to Professor Hamayak Sisakyan, Head of the YSMU Department of Cardiology and Head of the Clinic of General and Invasive Cardiology and Internal Medicine at “Heratsi” University Hospital; it is no coincidence that the event is being held at YSMU. “The Medical University is the primary educational hub for cardiologists. The university possesses strong traditions and solid clinical foundations, as well as cardiology-focused hospitals”, he added.
Dr. Lilian Grigorian, Armenian scientist, a cardiologist at San Rafael University Hospital, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, Spain, and co-organizer of the event; stated that beyond its educational purpose, the congress also pursued strategic goals. “That is why we consistently work to engage leading specialists from abroad to collaborate with us and, of course, to foster connections between cardiologists in Armenia and their international counterparts. Speaking of strategic objectives, I would like to highlight the Ministry’s ongoing support for these initiatives,” Lilian Grigorian emphasized, adding that a symposium is being held at the university for the first time this year, lending an academic dimension to the event.
Dr. Sarkis Kiramijyan, a cardiologist at Adventist Health White Memorial, Los Angeles, California, USA; and co-organizer of the event; noted that cardiovascular diseases are widespread across the globe. “Treatment options are extensive, and different countries possess varying capabilities. Our goal is to advance cardiovascular treatment processes and technologies within our homeland. At “Heratsi” University Hospital, under the leadership of Dr. Sisakyan, we have successfully initiated and continued the implementation of TAVI and TAVR technologies”, he informed.
The welcoming remarks were followed by the screening of a short film about Armenian heritage in the fields of world culture and medicine.
Sarkis Kiramijyan and Gerasimos Filippatos, Chair of Cardiology Department, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Director of the HF Unit at the Attikon University Hospital, Athens; were awarded “Mkhitar Heratsi” commemorative medals and certificates of appreciation for their significant contribution to partnership in the field of cardiology (particularly within the framework of the European Society of Cardiology). Certificates of appreciation were also presented to Lilian Grigorian; Knarik Arkun, Director, Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston; Manuel Martinez-Selles, Head of Acute Cardiac Care Unit of Department of Cardiology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Full Professor of Medicine, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Associate Professor, Universidad Complutense, President of the College of Physicians of Madrid, Vice-President of the Interprofessional Association of the Community of Madrid, Madrid; Konstantinos Toutouzas, President of Hellenic Society of Cardiology, Director of Structural Heart Diseases, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration Hospital, Athens; Zviad Kipiani, President of Georgian HF society, Head of Cardiology Department, Jerarsi Clinic, Tbilisi; and Hadi Skouri, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City-Mayo Clinic-UAE, Board Member and National Coordinator of HFA, Abu Dhabi.
