RIGA EAST UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
MARCH 26–27, 2026
On behalf of the Organising Committee, we are pleased to invite you to join us at the Riga EAST CTO
Meeting, taking place in Riga on March 26-27, 2026.
This meeting is dedicated to interventional cardiologists with a special interest in CTO PCI and complex
coronary interventions. The program traditionally focuses on the technical and practical aspects of CTO
PCI.
Over the course of two days, experienced CTO operators will perform 11 complex CTO procedures. Live case
transmissions are planned from six hospitals in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In parallel with the live cases, participants will have the opportunity to engage in interactive
discussions,
attend insightful presentations, visit the industry exhibition, and take part in hands-on sessions.
We look forward to welcoming you to Riga for two highly engaging and interactive days. We encourage you
to explore the program and begin planning your participation.
Warm regards,
Dr. Artis Kalnins
GENERAL INFORMATION
Course venue:
Riga East Clinical University Hospital Hipokrata Street 2, Riga, Latvia
Organizer:
Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Clinic of Cardiovascular Diseases
Official language:
English
Accommodation for Participants:
- Pullman Riga Old Town
Jekaba Street 24, Riga, 1050
Reservations must be made via email:
inga.gravite@accor.comPlease indicate the following code in the email subject line: Block ID: 1187670
The special rate is valid while the allocated rooms remain available. Please make your reservation as soon as possible.
Transfers will be provided between the hotel and the hospital.
Transfer Schedule:
March 26, 2026
07:50 - Pullman Riga Old Town (Jekaba Street 24) → Riga
East Clinical University Hospital (Hipokrata Street 2)
18:00 - Riga East Clinical University Hospital (Hipokrata
Street 2) → Pullman Riga Old Town (Jekaba Street 24)
March 27, 2026
07:50 - Pullman Riga Old Town (Jekaba Street 24) → Riga
East Clinical University Hospital (Hipokrata Street 2)
16:00 - Riga East Clinical University Hospital (Hipokrata
Street 2) → Pullman Riga Old Town (Jekaba Street 24)
General Sponsor
Golden Sponsors
Sponsors
Hands-on sessions
Course director and Coordinator:
Dr. Artis Kalnins, Riga East Clinical University Hospital
Invited International Faculty Members:
Masahisa Yamane (Japan)
Stylianos Pyxaras (Germany)
Shunsuke Matsuno (Japan)
Nenad Bozinovic (Serbia)
Sergii Furkalo (Ukraine)
Jaroslaw Wojcik (Poland)
Merouzhan Saghatelyan (Armenia)
Peep Laanmets (Estonia)
Andrej Pileckij (Lithuania)
Arvydas Baranauskas (Lithuania)
Dace Sondore (Latvia)
Vladimirs Osipovs (Latvia)
National Faculty Members:
Dace Sondore
Vladimirs Osipovs
Aigars Lismanis
Deniss Vasiljevs
Kristine Dombrovska
Local organization:
Arveds Apinis,
Vitalijs Grebjonkins
Irina Holste
Artjoms Lisnevs
Guntis Lukstins
Jurijs Verbovenko
Cathlab Head nurse:
Sandra Liepina
Live case centers:
Riga East Clinical University Hospital (Latvia)
Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital (Latvia)
JZU Bolnica Sveti Vracevi Bijeljin (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics (Lithuania)
Klaipeda University Hospital (Lithuania)
North Estonia Medical Centre Foundation (Estonia)
PROGRAM
Day 1, March 26
Venue: Riga East Clinical University Hospital
Hipokrata street 2, Riga, Latvia
9:00 – 9:15
Opening and Welcome
Vadims Beluns - Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of of Riga East Clinical University Hospital
9:15 - 9:30
Introduction to “17th CTO Day in Riga East Clinical University Hospital”: Dr. Artis Kalnins
9:30 - 11:45
Session 1: Complex CTO Lesions I Moderators and Discussants: A. Kalnins, D. Sondore, S. Furkalo
Live cases:
- Stylianos Pyxaras - Live Case Transmission from Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Latvia
- Andrej Pileckij - Live Case Transmission from Klaipeda University Hospital, Lithuania
Presentations:
- Artis Kalnins: “Difficult CTO Challenges - Calcinosis and Post CABG Patients”
- Dace Sondore: “Right Ventricular Function: Relevance in Patients with Reduced LVEF Undergoing CHIP/CTO procedures”
11:45 - 12:00
Coffee break
12:00 - 14:30
Session 2. Complex CTO Lesions II
Moderators and Discussants: P. Laanmets, D. Sondore, S. Pyxaras
Live cases:
- Shunsuke Matsuno - Live Case Transmission from Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Latvia
- Arvydas Baranuskas - Live Case Transmission from Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics
Presentations:
- Stilianos Pyxaras: “LV Assisted Devices for CTO PCI”
- Sergii Furkalo: “Left Main CTO PCI”
14:30 - 15:00
Lunch - CTO Training Village - Hands-on Sessions
15:00 - 18:00
Session 3. Clinical Dilemmas in Complex CTO PCI
Moderators and Discussants: S. Furkalo, M. Sahgatelyan. J. Wojcik
Live cases:
- Nenad Bozinovic - Live Case Transmission from JZU Bolnica Sveti Vracevi Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Dace Sondore and Kristine Domborovska - Live Case Transmission from Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, Latvia
Presentations:
- Shunsuke Matsuno: “Tips and tricks for challenging retrograde wire externalization”
- Meruzhan Saghatelian: “The Use of Drug Eluting Balloons in Coronary CTO PCI”
Day 2, March 27
Venue: Riga East Clinical University Hospital
Hipokrata street 2, Riga, Latvia
9:00 – 9:05
Summary of the first day
9:05 - 11:30
Session 4.Complex CTO Lesions III
Moderators and Discussants: A. Baranauskas, A. Pilcekij, D. Sondore
Live cases:
- Shunsuke Matsuno - Live Case Transmission from Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Latvia
- Artis Kalnins - Live Case Transmission from Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Latvia
Presentations:
- Masahisa Yamane: “Can the Epicardial Collateral Crossing Afford the Reverse CART in Complex Calcified and/or Torturous CTO?”
- Nenad Bozinovic: “Deep Dive Rendezvous in CTO PCI Instead of Externalisation”
11:30 - 12:00
Lunch & hands on sessions
12:00 - 15:00
Session 5. Complications and Challenging Case Session
Moderators and Discussants: D. Sondore, V. Osipovs, A. Kalnins
Live cases:
- Peep Laanmets - Live Case Transmission from North Estonia Medical Centre, Estonia
- Masahisa Yamane - Live Case Transmission from Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Latvia
Presentations:
Case Presentations from Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia
15:00 - 15:30
Conference Summary and Closing Remarks
HANDS ON SESSIONS
Pre-registration at the registration desk on site is mandatory.
Day 1, March 26
Terumo Training Village
Simulation-Based Education - Stent Dislodgement and Perforations
Lectors and Facilitators: Dr. Arvydas Baranauskas and Dr. Vytautas Abraitis, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics
11:45
Practical Exercises on Coronary Artery Simulator - Bail-out Stent Dislodgement
14:45
Practical Exercises on Coronary Artery Simulator - Bail-out Perforation
Boston Scientific Hands on Sessions
Simulator-Based Hands-On Training: Wolverine™ Cutting Balloon - Calcium Cracking
Day 2, March 27
Boston Scientific Hands on Sessions
Hands-On Simulation Session: Boston Scientific CTO Wires in Complex Lesions
General Sponsor
Golden Sponsors
Sponsors
Hands-on sessions