Carine Legio – European Stroke Organisation

Back To Bedside: An uncommon pathway

Carine Legio — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 04:46:46 +0000

20/03/2026/in ESO, Stroke Research /by Carine Legio

Author: Christian Nolte

Berlin Institute for Health, Charité Berlin

Christian Nolte presents the fifth episode of the Back to Bedside programme.

In stroke, diagnostic clarification of the underlying etiology is essential in order to determine the optimal secondary prevention strategy. This case highlights the significance of the (ischemic) infarct pattern, and its association with potential sources of cerebral embolism. The unexpected and informative results show how exciting the etiological classification of ischemic stroke and how instructive the individual treatment of each patient can be.

Learn more and listen to the presentation

ESOC is Europe’s leading forum for advances in research and clinical care of patients with cerebrovascular diseases. ESOC 2026 will live up to its expectation, and present to you a packed, high quality scientific programme including major clinical trials, state-of-the-art seminars, educational workshops, scientific communications of the latest research, and debates about current controversies. Learn more.

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Report of the 13th ESO ESMINT ESNR Stroke Winter School

Carine Legio — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 10:22:04 +0000

06/03/2026/in ESO, Stroke Research /by Carine Legio

Authors: Alice Caneva, Kadra Abdullahi

The 13th ESO ESMINT ESNR Stroke Winter School was held in Bern, Switzerland, from January 27 to 30, 2026. Under the leadership of PD Dr. Thomas Meinel, PD Dr. Tomas Dobrocky, Prof. Urs Fischer, Prof. Jan Gralla, PD Dr. Eike Piechowiak and PD Dr. Bastian Volbers, the local organizing team once again delivered an outstanding educational event dedicated to advances in acute stroke care. We also warmly acknowledge the invaluable administrative support provided by Kadra Abdullahi, Alice Caneva, Mara Megert and Selini Tsimachidis, whose coordination ensured the smooth running of the course.

The Winter School reaffirmed its central objective: strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration between neurologists and neuroradiologists throughout Europe. Interest in the program remained remarkably high, with about 200 applications submitted for 66 available places, highlighting its continued relevance and reputation. This year’s participants represented 20 countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Montenegro, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and United Kingdom.

The course opened with welcoming remarks from PD Dr. Dobrocky and PD Dr. Meinel, followed by addresses from Prof. Simona Sacco (ESO) and Prof. Jan Gralla (ESMINT, ESNR). From the outset, the scientific sessions tackled key developments in stroke medicine, including global epidemiological trends, recent progress in thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, and innovations in prehospital stroke pathways.
The 2026 edition featured a comprehensive academic program consisting of 30 lectures, four interactive tutorials and three practical workshops. In total, 34 faculty members from seven countries contributed to the teaching program, providing a broad international perspective. The faculty included experts from across Europe fostering lively discussion and exchange of experience across healthcare systems.
A core strength of the Winter School remains its strong practical focus. Participants worked in small groups, allowing close interaction with faculty during hands-on sessions covering neuroangiography techniques and complex endovascular interventions. Tutorials addressed crucial topics such as procedural strategies in endovascular stroke therapy, prevention and management of complications, workflow optimization and advanced imaging interpretation.

Neuroradiologists benefited from simulator-based training and live animal laboratory sessions, where thrombectomy procedures were practiced under direct expert supervision. Neurologists took part in structured stroke simulation workshops designed to replicate real-world clinical scenarios. These sessions emphasized rapid decision-making, interdisciplinary communication, team coordination and time management. The simulation component also served as an introduction to formal simulation certification and encouraged participants to establish regular simulation training at their home institutions.

In addition to the core topics of thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy, the 2026 scientific program addressed a broad spectrum of clinically relevant and challenging scenarios. Sessions focused on evolving indications for thrombectomy, stroke in patients with specific risk profiles such as anticoagulation, cervical artery pathologies, haemorrhagic stroke, and diagnostic challenges including stroke mimics and TIA. Interactive case discussions and morbidity/mortality sessions fostered critical reflection, interdisciplinary exchange and a constructive learning culture in acute stroke care.

The success of the 13th Stroke Winter School was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors: 1a Medical, Boehringer Ingelheim, Johnson&Johnson MedTech, Medtronic, OM Pharma, Penumbra, Siemens Healthineers, Stryker, Terumo Neuro, Vascular Medical and Wallaby Phenox. Their commitment allowed us to maintain a high-level educational offering while keeping participation accessible, particularly for early- and mid-career physicians and colleagues from developing European countries.

With another highly successful edition concluded, the organizing committee extends its sincere gratitude to all faculty members and participants for their enthusiasm and commitment to improving stroke care. We look forward to welcoming the stroke community back to Bern for the 14th ESO ESMINT ESNR Stroke Winter School, scheduled for February 2–5, 2027. In response to sustained international interest – including applications from South America, Asia and Africa – the Stroke Center Bern continues to expand its global educational initiatives. Preparations are underway for the next Asian Stroke Summer School and for the further development of the South American Stroke School, both in close collaboration with regional faculty to ensure content tailored to local clinical needs.

More about the Winter School

The post Report of the 13th ESO ESMINT ESNR Stroke Winter School first appeared on European Stroke Organisation.

Back To Bedside: First, do no harm?

Carine Legio — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 04:36:07 +0000

27/02/2026/in ESO, Stroke Research /by Carine Legio

Author: Iain McGurgan

Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland

Iain McGurgan presents the fourth episode of the Back to Bedside programme.

In acute stroke care, decisions that shape long-term outcomes must be made within minutes. This case examines the complexity of acute treatment when risk factors and potential contraindications lie within the gray areas of existing guidelines, underscoring the challenges of translating evidence-based recommendations into individualised decision-making at the patient’s bedside.

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The post Back To Bedside: First, do no harm? first appeared on European Stroke Organisation.

In Memoriam – Professor Emeritus Nils Wahlgren

Carine Legio — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 09:50:59 +0000

25/02/2026/in ESO, Stroke Research /by Carine Legio

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Professor Emeritus Nils Wahlgren.

Professor Wahlgren was a visionary leader in stroke medicine and a pioneer whose work transformed acute stroke care across Europe and beyond. He founded the SITS International Stroke Thrombolysis Registry, creating a global platform that has shaped clinical practice and research for decades. As the leading investigator of the SITS-MOST study, he laid the scientific foundation for the approval of intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke in Europe — a milestone that has benefited countless patients.

Nils also served as Chairman of the Karolinska Stroke Update from 1996 until his retirement, fostering international collaboration and advancing knowledge in the field of stroke medicine. At Karolinska University Hospital, he was the driving force behind the establishment of the Hyperacute Stroke Triage (HASTA) system in the Stockholm region and a strong advocate for the implementation of endovascular treatment in stroke care. His vision, determination, and unwavering commitment have enabled us today to work in a field that is both scientifically pioneering and profoundly meaningful.

Beyond his remarkable professional achievements, Nils was a colleague, mentor, and friend to many. He meant an extraordinary amount of colleagues at SITS, as well as to colleagues at Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, where many shared long and close professional and personal relationships with him.

We remember him with warmth, laughter, and gratitude — and with great pride in all that he accomplished during his lifetime. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of clinicians and researchers.

Our thoughts are especially with his family, whom we came to know through his vivid and loving stories. We extend our heartfelt condolences to them during this difficult time.

Memoria eius in operibus vivit.

–

Simona Sacco, ESO president

Niaz Ahmed, Professor of Neurology, Karolinska Institutet, Senior consultant Karolinska University Hospital, FESO

The post In Memoriam – Professor Emeritus Nils Wahlgren first appeared on European Stroke Organisation.

Back To Bedside: Fading Memory

Carine Legio — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 04:36:36 +0000

23/01/2026/in ESO, Stroke Research /by Carine Legio

Author: Ellis van Etten

Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands

In the third episode of the Back to Bedside programme, Ellis van Etten presents a case of a basilar artery occlusion presenting with amnesia, highlighting the diagnostic challenges of strokes in the posterior circulation. The presentation walks participants through key clinical clues.

Learn more and listen to the presentation

In an era overflowing with neuroimaging, vascular studies, lab tests, and AI-powered diagnostics, it’s easy to forget the value of simply looking at the patient. But when it comes to clinical reasoning, no algorithm can replace a skilled clinician.

This monthly case series is here to sharpen your bedside techniques, challenge your diagnostic thinking, and help you stay grounded in what matters most: the patient.

Back to Bedside reminds us why bedside neurology still matters greatly. From asking the right questions to interpreting subtle signs and deciding what really needs to be tested, clinical skills remain at the heart of good stroke care.

The post Back To Bedside: Fading Memory first appeared on European Stroke Organisation.

The ESO YSPR Committee: Looking back on 2025, looking ahead to 2026

Carine Legio — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 14:33:12 +0000

01/01/2026/in ESO, Stroke Research /by Carine Legio

Author: Märit Jensen & Ellis van Etten

As 2025 has drawn to a close, the ESO YSPR committee reflects on a productive and inspiring year and looks forward to launching exciting initiatives throughout 2026.

A major highlight of 2025 was ESOC in Helsinki, Finland. Once again, the conference provided an excellent platform for scientific exchange and networking among stroke professionals from across Europe and beyond. The YSPR Research Design Workshop was well received, giving young researchers the opportunity to present their study ideas and receive structured, constructive feedback from experienced mentors.

Together with the European Stroke Journal (ESJ), the YSPR Young Reviewer Programme continued successfully in 2025. The participants for the current round have been selected, and this cycle will conclude in April 2026. Building on the strong interest and engagement seen so far, the call for new candidates for the ESJ Young Reviewer Programme will open after ESOC 2026.

The Department to Department Programme continued to offer valuable opportunities for young stroke physicians to experience different clinical and research environments across Europe. Those interested in applying are encouraged to read the previous participant reports published on the ESO blog, which provide insightful first-hand perspectives on the programme.

The ESO blog continues to be an important platform for presenting current topics and sharing perspectives. Working on the blog remains a great part of our committee work. We would like to thank everyone who contributed over the past year, and we are always happy to welcome new guest bloggers with fresh views on timely and relevant stroke-related topics.

Looking ahead to 2026

The coming year will mark the start of a new YSPR initiative: Back to Bedside. This programme aims to present short, focused clinical vignettes with clear take-home messages, highlighting the importance of clinical reasoning and bedside neurology in everyday stroke care. In case you have missed the first episodes, you can listen here to Episode 1 and Episode 2

Finally, we would like to thank all ESO members, collaborators, mentors, and participants for their continued support and engagement.

We wish everyone a successful 2026 and look forward to seeing you in person in Maastricht at the 12^th ESOC!

The post The ESO YSPR Committee: Looking back on 2025, looking ahead to 2026 first appeared on European Stroke Organisation.

Open Call – Delphi Panel for the ESO White Paper

Carine Legio — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 07:43:55 +0000

16/12/2025/in ESO, Stroke Research /by Carine Legio

Open Call – Delphi Panel for the ESO White Paper on Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS) and Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES)

The ESO Guideline Board invites experienced stroke clinicians and subject-matter experts to join the Delphi voting panel for the ESO White Paper on PRES RCVS in development. We are seeking Delphi panellists who can contribute their expertise by evaluating and voting on draft consensus statements relating to the defined PICO questions of the project.

Role of Delphi Panel Members

Delphi panellists will:

Participate in multiple rounds of anonymous voting on draft consensus statements.

Provide quantitative ratings on a 9-point Likert scale (from strong disagreement to strong agreement).

Offer qualitative written feedback, including suggestions for improving clarity, scope, and clinical relevance.

Review revised statements across iterative rounds until consensus (or stable non-consensus) is reached.

Panellists will not be responsible for authoring text or conducting literature reviews – their role is strictly to evaluate the proposed guidance through structured voting.

Introduction to the ESO White Paper Format

The European Stroke Organisation (ESO) White Papers serve as expert consensus–based clinical guidance in areas of stroke care where robust evidence is limited, evolving, or currently insufficient to support full evidence-based guideline recommendations. As outlined in the ESO Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), White Papers use a transparent, structured, and iterative consensus method, drawing on multidisciplinary expertise to formulate practical clinical guidance for high-priority topics.

A central component of developing White Papers is the modified Delphi process, an established method designed to gather expert judgement through multiple rounds of anonymous voting, structured feedback, and iterative refinement. This ensures that all expert perspectives, irrespective of seniority, geography, or discipline, are weighted equally and transparently in formulating consensus statements.

To uphold the methodological rigor described by ESO, the Delphi panel must include a sufficiently broad and diverse group of experienced clinicians from across Europe and beyond.

Eligibility Criteria

To ensure a high-quality and diverse panel (minimum 20 active voters), applicants should:

Have at least 10 years of clinical experience (10 years since graduation from Medical School), preferably in stroke medicine or a related neurological or interdisciplinary field. The same requirement of 10 years of experience after graduation also applies to voting members of the ESO Guidelines MWGs (Module Working Groups).

Possess recognised expertise relevant to the White Paper’s clinical topic.

Be willing to participate in approximately 2-4 rounds of online voting over a defined period.

Commit to providing thoughtful, constructive feedback reflecting current best clinical practice.

We particularly welcome applications from a broad range of clinical backgrounds, geographic regions, and career stages to ensure a balanced representation. Participation is voluntary, not reimbursed and does not confer authorship.

Why Participate?

Serving as a Delphi panellist contributes directly to shaping high-quality, internationally visible clinical guidance. Your input will:

Help fill evidence gaps where clinicians urgently require structured recommendations.

Ensure the guidance reflects diverse professional viewpoints, clinical realities, and practical considerations across Europe.

Strengthen the credibility, transparency, and applicability of the final White Paper.

All Delphi panel members will be acknowledged in supplementary materials accompanying the published White Paper.

How to Apply

Interested individuals are invited to submit:

A brief expression of interest,

A CV in English,

A short description of clinical background and expertise,

Contact information and institutional affiliation.

Please send your application to guidelines@eso-stroke.org by 28 January 2026.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to ESO’s impactful work and shape the future of stroke care.

We strongly encourage you to consider applying.

The post Open Call – Delphi Panel for the ESO White Paper first appeared on European Stroke Organisation.

Back To Bedside: The Stroke Impostor

Carine Legio — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 18:34:22 +0000

11/12/2025/in ESO, Stroke Research /by Carine Legio

Author: Bogdan Ciopleias

Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University Brasov, Romania

X: @bciopleias

In the second episode of the Back to Bedside programme, Bogdan Ciopleias presents a compelling case of a stroke mimic, highlighting the diagnostic challenges encountered in acute neurovascular care. The presentation walks participants through key clinical clues.

Learn more and listen to the presentation

This monthly case series is here to sharpen your bedside techniques, challenge your diagnostic thinking, and help you stay grounded in what matters most: the patient.

The post Back To Bedside: The Stroke Impostor first appeared on European Stroke Organisation.

8th ESSW Garmisch Session Report: Session VII – Prizes

Carine Legio — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 10:04:25 +0000

11/12/2025/in ESO, Stroke Research /by Carine Legio

Author: Signild Åsberg and Maarten Uyttenboogaart

X: @SignildAsberg

Save the best for last! The final session of the successful ESWW 2025 was dedicated to the award ceremony for the two best mid-career elevator pitches and the best poster. Meanwhile, the sun began to gleam above the snowy mountains surrounding the picturesque Eibsee.

The recipients of the best mid-career elevator pitch awards were Jatinder Minas (Leicester, United Kingdom) and Nina Halkes (Rotterdam, the Netherlands). Both honorees were invited to present their pitches to the entire ESWW audience.

Jatinder Minas’s presentation focused on protective and reparative processes following acute intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). He discussed the relationship between remote diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesions and poor functional outcomes in acute ICH patients and considered whether these DWI lesions represent collateral damage or indicate an overactivation of reparative mechanisms.

Nina Halkes called for a reevaluation of the duration of antiplatelet therapy (AP) in young stroke patients. She emphasised that most supporting evidence for lifelong AP stems from studies conducted in elderly populations. In younger individuals, the benefits remain uncertain and potential complications may outweigh advantages. This clinical dilemma forms the basis for the newly launched STOP trial.

The award for best mid-career poster went to Bernhard Matthias Siepen from Bern, Switzerland. In his poster, he elaborated on a phase II randomised clinical trial assessing the efficacy of a care bundle for ICH patients. The care bundle includes intensive blood pressure control, reversal of anticoagulant drugs, administration of tranexamic acid, admission to a stroke unit / ICU and neurosurgical evaluation.

During the poster presentations, senior attendees were challenged to answer questions regarding the mid-career candidates presenting their posters. Daniel Strbian from Helsinki, Finland, distinguished himself by correctly answering the majority of these questions and received the Mid-career researcher engagement award as well.

The final closing remarks were given by Rustam Al Shahi Salman, reassuring all attendees that this year, everyone could make a safe trip home.

The post 8th ESSW Garmisch Session Report: Session VII – Prizes first appeared on European Stroke Organisation.