Pulmonary vascular diseases such as pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hypertension contribute markedly to the global burden of chronic respiratory disease. Despite this, the burden of pulmonary vascular diseases remains underestimated, and the significance of pulmonary vascular disease merits greater attention from the medical community.
The ERS International Congress programme includes a dedicated track with a variety of sessions and activities for health professionals involved in the treatment and management of pulmonary vascular diseases, and for researchers who are interested in this disease area.
We spoke to ERS officers who specialise in this disease area to find out what you can expect from the hybrid Congress and which programme highlights should not be missed. See what they told us:
Q: What are you most looking forward to at this year’s Congress in the pulmonary vascular diseases field?
A: This year we faced many therapeutical breakthroughs in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, opening up the horizon of novel treatments in this area which have great promise for patients suffering from pulmonary hypertension. The ERS Congress in Barcelona will show the most recent results and also indicate what is coming next.
Q: Is there a specific session in this track that should not be missed?
A: A highlight will be the presentation of the ERS/ESC guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension 2022. Novel insights on the treatment of pulmonary embolism in complex situations such as cancer will be shared. Finally, postgraduate courses, hand on courses dedicated to the correct performance of right heart catheterisation and informal meetings of the young members of our assembly will offer an excellent opportunity for our young members of our assembly to grow in the field, learn from colleagues and meet new friends.
Q: What does congress offer to early career professionals who specialise in pulmonary vascular diseases?
A: This year’s ERS Congress will have some very interesting sessions for early career professionals that specialise in pulmonary vascular disease. I highly recommend visiting the skills lab on right heart catheterisation. Personally, I am a huge fan of the “Lungs on fire” concept and super excited to see that we will have another session this Congress. The cases presented in those type of sessions are always very challenging and you can learn how the experts in the field solve those riddles.