The Ambassadors of the International CTEPH Conference 2026 are a distinguished group of clinicians from Central and Eastern Europe. Selected from among the region’s leading experts, they have been invited to serve in this honorary role in recognition of their expertise, academic contributions, and leadership in the field of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).
The organization of the ICA Conference in Warsaw reflects the growing importance of Central and Eastern Europe within the global landscape of research and medical care for pulmonary embolism and CTEPH. Through this initiative, the ICA aims to further support the region’s development by promoting opportunities offered by the European Reference Network, particularly within the framework of the ERN-LUNG Goes East programme.
As official representatives of the Conference, the Ambassadors play a key role in raising awareness of CTEPH and engaging physicians in their respective countries. Through their professional networks and clinical leadership, they foster regional involvement and encourage participation in the Conference’s scientific and educational programme.
The Ambassadors also serve as regional points of contact for colleagues and institutions. Physicians and institutions interested in collaboration, regional initiatives, or participation in the International CTEPH Conference are warmly invited to contact us using the details provided below.
Ly Anton
Estonia
Member of the Heart Failure Association of the ESC, Member of European Assosiation of Cardiovascular Imaging
North Estonia Medical Centre Foundation, Centre of Cardiology; Tallinn
Ly.Anton@regionaalhaigla.ee
Szymon Darocha
Poland
MD, PhD, FESC
Associate Professor in Chair and Department of Pulmonary Circulation, Thromboembolic Diseases and Cardiology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, European Reference Network For Rare Lung Diseases (ERN – LUNG) Member, European Health Centre, Otwock, Poland
President-Elect of The Association of Pulmonary Circulation Polish Cardiac Society
szymon.darocha@gmail.com
Lina Gumbienė
Lithuania
MD, PhD, FESC. Assoc. Professor at Clinic of Cardiac and Vascular diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University
Cardiologist, sub coordinator for adults at Pulmonary hypertension competence centre of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros klinikos
A chair of PH and ACHD WG of Lithuanian Society of Cardiology
lina.gumbiene@santa.lt
Balint Hajni
Hungary
MD, PhD, FESC
Head of ACHD/PAH department
Gottsegen National Cardiovascular Centre, Budapest
Chair of the Working Group on Kardio- Pulmonary Disease of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology
balintoh@gmail.com
Pavel Jansa
Czech Republic
Centre for Pulmonary Hypertension
2nd Department of Medicine - Department of Cardiovascular Medicine
First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital
jansapavel@yahoo.com
Lubomir Kulyk
Ukraine
Danylo Halytsky National Medical University
Lviv Centre for Cardiac Surgery, Chairman
Ukrainian Association of Cardiovascular Surgery, Vice President
lubkul@mail.lviv.ua
Skaidrius Miliauskas
Lithuania
Head of Department of Pulmonology
Head of Pulmonary Hypertension Center
Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
Skaidrius.Miliauskas@lsmu.lt
Slobodan Obradovic
Serbia
Clinic of Cardiology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
sloba.d.obradovic@gmail.com
Arsen D. Ristic
Serbia
MD, PhD, FESC, FHFA
Full Professor of Internal Medicine and Cardiology,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade,
Department of Cardiology of the University Clinical Center of Serbia,
Chair, Pericardial SG, Heart Failure Association of the ESC
President, Pulmonary Hypertension Society of Serbia,
arsen.ristic@med.bg.ac.rs
Iveta Simkova
Slovak Republic
MD, PhD, FESC, FACC
Head of Cardiology and Angiology Clinic and ACHD Department and CTEPH Expert Centre
Faculty of Medicine, Slovak Medical University and National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases
simkova.iveta@gmail.com
Andris Skride
Latvia
andris.skride@gmail.com
Ioan Tilea
Romania
Professor habil., MD, PhD, FESC, Professor of Medicine
George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, Romania
Pulmonary Hypertension Center, Emergency Clinical County Hospital Targu Mures, Romania
ioan.tilea@umfst.ro
Adrea Varga
Romania
Professor Andreea Varga, MD, PhD, FESC
Professor of Medicine George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology
of Targu Mures, Romania
Pulmonary Hypertension Center, Emergency Clinical County Hospital Targu Mures
andreea.varga@umfst.ro