Study Group for Adult Congenital Heart Disease in Central and Southeastern Europe (CESEE)

The European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) has recognised the importance of advocating for improved infrastructure and access to ACHD care and education within Europe, including active participation of the Central and Southeastern European region on the global European stage. ACHD care is still challenged by limited financial resources, insufficient staff, and reimbursement caps on essential procedures in this region compared to Western Europe. As part of the on-going effort, a Central and Southeastern European (CESEE) Study Group has been formed in 2018 with an aim to report on the current situation, needs, and opportunities for ACHD in each CESEE country and within the region. It aims to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, including cardiologists and government bodies of the growing ACHD population, and to highlight the need for further investment in CESEE to create a clear roadmap for ACHD care, training and education. The group strives to collaborate with ACHD representatives from all CESEE countries and welcomes colleagues interested in the field in order to foster networking, collaboration, clinical and academic development. The group is functioning in collaboration with the ESC Working Group on ACHD with a common goal to improve ACHD care in Europe and beyond. 

Current CESEE ACHD Study Group:

Margarita Brida (Croatia, Rijeka/UK, London) – Chair
Iveta Simkova (Slovakia, Bratislava) - Past Chair
Agnese Strenge (Latvia, Riga) - Secretary contact
Katja Prokselj (Slovenia, Ljubljana) - WG ACHD Nucleus member

Tamara Kovacevic Preradovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Banja Luka)
Pencho Kratunkov (Bulgaria, Sofia)
Anna Kaneva (Bulgaria, Sofia)
Irena Ivanac-Vranesic (Croatia, Zagreb)
Željko Đurić (Croatia, Zagreb)
Petra Antonova (Czech Republic, Prague)
Maarja Maser (Estonia, Tartu)
Raili Tagen (Estonia, Tartu)
Hajnalka Olga Balint (Hungary, Budapest)
Lina Gumbiene (Lithuania,Vilnius)
Elena Panfile (Moldava, Chisinau)
Elisabeta Srbinovska (North Macedonia, Skopje)
Monika Komar (Poland, Krakow)
Magdalena Lipczynska (Poland, Warsaw)
Roxana Enache (Romania, Bucharest)
Ioan Mircea Coman (Romania, Bucharest)
Aleksandra Nikolic (Serbia, Beograd)
Ihor H. Lebid (Ukraine, Kyiv)

Academic output:

• McMahon CJ et al. Adult congenital heart disease training in Europe: current status, disparities and potential solutions. Open Heart. 2023 Dec 14;10(2):e002558. PMID: 38097363
• Brida M et al. Infective endocarditis in adults with congenital heart disease: Contemporary management and related outcomes in Central and South-Eastern European region. Int J Cardiol. 2023 Apr 15;377:45-50. PMID: 36638916
• Brida M et al. European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Adult Congenital Heart Disease and Study Group for Adult Congenital Heart Care in Central and South Eastern European Countries consensus paper: current status, provision gaps and investment required. Eur J Heart Fail. 2021 Mar;23(3):445-453. PMID: 33135840