XV Annual Meeting of BVF

DATE: 12 - 14 June 2025

Location: Hotel International, Golden Sands, Bulgaria

Dear Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to the 15th Balkan Venous Forum. BVF is a non-profit and non-governmental organization which brings together vascular surgeons, angiologists, dermatologists and phlebologists from all states of the Balkan region uniting members from 11 countries (in alphabetic order): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Türkiye. Our primary goal is to rapidly disseminate the latest scientific and methodological advancements across the Balkans and integrate them into the local therapeutic practices.

The main beneficiaries of our efforts are patients suffering from chronic venous diseases (CVD), lymphedema and their complications. Recent studies indicate that more than 30% of the adult population is affected by CVD and lymphedema is still a “hidden disease”.Since our establishment in Belgrade 2010, the BVF has a tradition of organizing annual meetings with increasing interest and participation. Our previous meetings were held in: Belgrade (2010, 2013), Athens (2011, 2019), Istanbul (2012, 2018), Sofia (2014, 2021-online), Timisoara (2015, 2022), Budapest (2016, 2024), Ljubljana (2017, 2023). Each year, the number and the quality of the scientific papers presented raise up significantly.

Our Future

We are committed to continuing our teamwork, aiming to enhance our knowledge and capacities. This ongoing effort will contribute to reducing morbidity and its consequences across all our member states. We are eager to implement the most advanced treatment methods and technologies, as well as to face the great variety of oncoming challenges due to adopting Artificial Intelligence to medical practice.

The 15th Balkan Venous Forum and Vein Silk Roard will be held at Hotel International, June 12 – 14, 2025. We are honored to have invited lectures who are Lead Experts from four continents as follows: Sergio Gianesini, Athanasios Guianoukas, Daniela Radu, Tanja Rucigaj, Athanasios Guianoukas. Rossen Stoychev, Kusman Guirov, Armando Mansilha, , Christos Karathanos, Spiros Vasdekis, Mamuka Bokushava, Pier Luigi Antignani, Zaza Lazarashvili, Oscar Botini, Ravul Jindal, Imre Bihari and others.

The keynote presentations, given by these distinguished professors, will discuss the future of Phlebology in Europe related to education, quality of care and policies. We are convinced that this scientific event will be beneficial to all attendees and it will contribute to the more successful management of CVD and Lymphedema. Please, feel informed that the BVF has already applied for accreditation by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®).

It is our great pleasure to invite you to the 15th Balkan Venous Forum and Vein Silk Road! We will be waiting for you!

Thank you for your interest, participation and support

Dr. Elena Goranova. Chair of the XV BVF annual Meeting
Dr Tanja Rucigaj. President of BVF 2022-2025