ESO TF4UKR Department to Department Visit Programme

From 8th till 22nd of September I had privilege to visit a wonderful city of Clermont-Ferrand, situated in Auvergne region, France, as part of Department to Department Visit Programme. Thanks to immense assistance from Dr. Emmanuel Chabert, head of neuroradiology in CHU Clermont-Ferrand, I had an opportunity to spend two weeks in the angio suite with amazingly talented team of interventional neuroradiologists. Dr. Emmanuel formed a group of ambitious and determined physicians, who are equally professional and friendly. Their openness and sincerity made me feel as comfortable as if I was back home, at my hospital.

My institution in Uzhhorod, Ukraine has only been performing thrombectomies for the last year. It is a very novel concept for our region, as we are one of the two hospitals that provide endovascular treatment of stroke, with the other having the same amount of experience as us. My primary goal was to learn more about in-hospital and regional stroke workflow, however, I got so much more from my time in Clermont-Ferrand. Back in Uzhhorod, we do not have any experienced interventional neuroradiologist, as a result my colleagues and I get most of our experience from attending courses or visiting other institutions. I had an opportunity to see some procedures that I have only witnessed once or twice, such as aneurysm and AVM embolization.

Luckily, during my stay there were at least 10 thrombectomies performed, which was an extremely valuable experience, as endovascular stroke treatment is the primary field I am interested in. Moreover, there were too many to count practical tips and tricks I learned for imaging protocols, premedication administration, vascular access, device and strategy selection etc., not to mention witnessing the stroke workflow.

During the first week, there were a couple of workshop at the hospital, including one with the WEB device for bifurcation aneurysms and flow-diverters. The workshop organizers were kind enough to translate the information for me in English, even though it was meant to be in French. I had a chance to work with the flow model, by putting a WEB inside an aneurysm
and by unsheathing a flow diverted to cover a giant aneurysm. It was an extremely pleasant exercise for me. The team was encouraging me to try the simulation class and constantly assisting me by guiding through the procedure
steps.

The staff was very kind and helpful, open to all of my questions, explaining everything rigorously and thoroughly. I was impressed by the good-natured atmosphere among the team, with technicians and physicians spending time together, sharing laughs and stories. I felt supported throughout my stay, even spending some leisure time with the team. I also got an opportunity to go sightseeing, visiting the magnificent churches of Clermont-Ferrand. I even climbed the famous Puy de Dome with help from Dr. Chabert.

My trip was part of a larger cooperation between my institution and CHU Clermont-Ferrand. Dr. Emmanuel Chabert previously visited Uzhhorod in March and June 2024. During the latter trip, we had the chance to perform a couple of joint interventions. Dr. Chabert has been very supportive, constantly keeping in touch and plans to visit Uzhhorod for the third time in December 2024. Overall, my time in Clermont-Ferrand exceeded all of my expectations. It was very insightful and I learnt many new things that I plan to implement into my clinical practice. I am grateful to ESO for their support of Ukraine and for making visits like these possible. Thanks to ESO we were able to strengthen our ties with Dr. Emmanuel Chabert and CHU Clermont-Ferrand. I hope to continue building our partnership and one day return in CHU Clermont- Ferrand.