Pulmonary Hypertension Association Europe

Pulmonary Hypertension Association Europe PHAEUROPE is the European umbrella organization for pulmonary hypertension. PHAEUROPE has 40 member associations from 35 European countries.

It was founded in 2003 and is registered in Vienna, Austria, as an international non-profit organization. PHA Europe is the European umbrella organization for pulmonary hypertension. PHA Europe has 40 member associations from 33 European countries.

As one of the patrons of the CTEPH Conference 2026, PHAEUROPE & Global was proud to support this important international...
23/06/2026

As one of the patrons of the CTEPH Conference 2026, PHAEUROPE & Global was proud to support this important international gathering held in Warsaw, Poland, from June 11–13.

After 20 years, the pulmonary hypertension community returned to Poland, bringing together more than 300 participants from 54 countries at the Sheraton Grand Warsaw. Opened by Prof. Marcin Kurzyna, the conference became three inspiring days of science, collaboration, networking, and exchange within the global CTEPH community.

Leading international experts discussed the latest developments in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary embolism and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), including evolving interventional and catheter-directed therapies. The programme featured outstanding sessions led by Prof. Adam Torbicki, Dr. Dariusz Zieliński, Dr. Joanna Pepke-Zaba, Prof. Marion Delcroix, Prof. Dr. Erik Klok, Prof. Dr. Luke Howard, Prof. Dr. Irene Lang , Dr. Hiroto Shimokawahara, and many other renowned specialists.

From lectures on the Definition of CTEPH and the transition From Acute PE to CTEPH, to in-depth discussions on the Pathophysiology of CTEPH, Treatment Paradigms in Acute/Subacute Pulmonary Embolism, and the Management of CTEPH, the conference delivered a truly comprehensive scientific programme.

The agenda also explored the role of registries and real-world data in rare and complex diseases, learning through challenging and interesting clinical cases, as well as discussions on the future landscape of CTEPH care and innovation.

Combined with the presentation of abstracts covering highly relevant topics across the field, the conference proved to be one of the most comprehensive international gatherings dedicated to advancing understanding, collaboration, and clinical excellence in all aspects of CTEPH.

A particularly important lecture by Prof. Adam Torbicki explored the question: “How to remove thromboemboli from pulmonary arteries before they become organized?”, highlighting the growing relevance of catheter-directed therapies in PE and CTEPH management and the importance of early intervention.

One of the most emotional moments of the conference was the heartfelt tribute dedicated to Dr. Hiromi Matsubara of Japan - a world-renowned pioneer in balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) for CTEPH. Through more than 2,100 BPA procedures performed in over 370 patients, Dr. Matsubara has played a transformative role in establishing and improving the safety and efficacy of BPA worldwide, making the Okayama Medical Center one of the leading BPA centres globally.

PHAEUROPE & Global is honoured to have supported a conference that continues to strengthen international collaboration, advance clinical practice, and inspire progress for the pulmonary hypertension community, with a dedicated focus on CTEPH (Group 4 PH).

🔬 European Investigator Meeting | Vienna, 17 June 2025PHAEUROPE & Global was pleased to attend the European Investigator...
22/06/2026

🔬 European Investigator Meeting | Vienna, 17 June 2025

PHAEUROPE & Global was pleased to attend the European Investigator Meeting hosted by Inhibikase at the Marriott Hotel Vienna, focused on the company’s clinical development programme for IKT-001 / IkT-001Pro, an investigational Imatinib prodrug for people living with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

The meeting brought together PH specialists, researchers, and patient advocates for valuable discussions on the future of PAH research and clinical development.

We were grateful to meet with Dr. Chris Cabell, President, Head of R&D and Chief Medical Officer, and Allison Widlitz, Head of Clinical Development.

For Gerry, it was especially meaningful to reconnect with Jonathan Langley, now VP of Medical Affairs at Inhibikase, who has accompanied and supported our community for more than a decade. We are deeply thankful for his continued commitment and vital support.

Maleen was also very happy to see Allison Widlitz again, who cared for her together with Prof. Robyn Barst more than 25 years ago - a touching reminder of the long-standing human connections behind progress in PH care.

The day continued with a great meeting and dinner, filled with valuable conversations with many PH experts, including Prof. Olivier Sitbon.

Thank you to Inhibikase and all participating specialists for the meaningful exchange and continued dedication to advancing care for people living with PAH. 💙

🌍💜 World PH Day Around the World | Croatia 🇭🇷Awareness comes in many forms, and in Croatia, this year's World Pulmonary ...
19/06/2026

🌍💜 World PH Day Around the World | Croatia 🇭🇷

Awareness comes in many forms, and in Croatia, this year's World Pulmonary Hypertension Day message reached hundreds of young people through a day filled with sport, learning, and community spirit.

At the 12th Mini Handball Tournament in Pisarovina, which brought together more than 500 children, Plava Krila Croatia seized the opportunity to raise awareness about pulmonary hypertension (PH) and the challenges faced by children and adults living with this rare condition.

Through engaging activities, face painting, and meaningful conversations, the association helped introduce young participants and their families to important values such as empathy, inclusion, and understanding.

A special highlight was the distribution of The Story of Little Bear Kaspar, a heartwarming children's book created by PHAEUROPE & Global Board Member and patient advocate Natalia Maeva, which tells the story of a blue-lipped bear living with PH. Through Kaspar's journey, children learn valuable lessons about acceptance, kindness, and supporting those who may face different challenges in life.

The event demonstrated how awareness can be woven into community activities, helping important messages reach the next generation. By connecting sport, education, and compassion, Plava Krila effectively shared this year's World PH Day theme, "Hope in Every Trial," while fostering a culture of understanding and solidarity.

PHAEUROPE & Global is honoured to share and celebrate the dedication of our Croatian PH community 🇭🇷. Together, we continue building a world where awareness, inclusion, and hope help ensure that no person living with PH is left behind.

💜 Thank you, PH Plava Krila, for turning a day of sport, smiles, and friendship into an opportunity to raise awareness and inspire compassion.

📢PHAEUROPE & Global at the ERS Presidential Summit in WarsawPHAEUROPE & Global was proud to be represented by Zdenka Bra...
18/06/2026

📢PHAEUROPE & Global at the ERS Presidential Summit in Warsaw

PHAEUROPE & Global was proud to be represented by Zdenka Bradač, Chair of PHAEUROPE & Global, and Natalia Maeva, Board Member of PHAEUROPE & Global and member of the ELF Core Council, at the European Respiratory Society Presidential Summit, “New Frontiers of Respiratory Health: The Present and Future of Early Detection,” held on 16–17 June in Warsaw.

The summit brought together leading experts, healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and patient representatives to explore innovative approaches to early detection and prevention in respiratory health, while addressing some of the most pressing environmental and public health challenges of our time.

Zdenka and Natalia actively took part in discussions focused on air quality and respiratory diseases, to***co use, the impact of climate change on lung health, lung cancer screening, AI in respiratory healthcare, and the future of the Healthy Lungs for Life initiative.

For the pulmonary hypertension community, these discussions are highly relevant. Early recognition, timely referral, access to specialist care, and stronger awareness of respiratory symptoms remain essential to improving outcomes and quality of life for people living with PH.

The future of the Healthy Lungs for Life initiative was also an important part of the dialogue. This dynamic and adaptable campaign continues to bring together a broad range of respiratory health stakeholders, raising awareness of key risk factors, empowering individuals and communities to adopt healthier lifestyles, and promoting prevention as a vital part of better lung health for future generations.

At PHAEUROPE & Global, we strongly believe that the future of lung health must be shaped together with patients. Their voices, experiences, and needs must be part of every conversation on screening, innovation, prevention, and healthcare policy.

We thank ERS for creating this important space for collaboration and dialogue, and we are proud that the PH community was represented in discussions helping to shape the future of respiratory healthcare in Europe.

Thank you, Zdenka and Natalia, for representing PHAEUROPE & Global and PH patients.

European Respiratory Society 🙏🙌

🌍💙 From Ideas to Action: PHAEUROPE & Global at the Global PH Patient Hackathon 🇺🇸PHAEUROPE & Global was proud to partici...
17/06/2026

🌍💙 From Ideas to Action: PHAEUROPE & Global at the Global PH Patient Hackathon 🇺🇸

PHAEUROPE & Global was proud to participate in the first-ever Global Pulmonary Hypertension Patient Hackathon, held during the 2026 PHA Congress in Dallas, Texas. Representing PHAEUROPE & Global, PH patient advocate and PHAEUROPE & Global Project Manager Hall Skara joined an inspiring community of global patient leaders, clinicians, and experts committed to transforming the patient experience and advancing patient-centered solutions for the global PH community.

Building on the findings of a major international survey led by PVRI in collaboration with partners including PHAEUROPE & Global, nearly 4,000 people affected by pulmonary hypertension shared their experiences, challenges, and priorities. The survey resulted in ten global Calls to Action aimed at addressing unmet needs and improving outcomes for people living with PH worldwide.

Prior to the Hackathon, participants had voted on which four Calls to Action to prioritise. During the event, they worked collaboratively in international, multidisciplinary teams to develop practical solutions and implementation plans. Through intensive discussions, creative problem-solving, and shared expertise, each group developed a concrete roadmap aimed at accelerating diagnosis, improving access to specialist care, empowering patients as equal partners in healthcare decisions, and expanding opportunities for meaningful participation in clinical research.

The event culminated in a powerful commitment ceremony, where patient leaders and physician advisors signed formal pledges to bring these solutions to life in their own countries. Together, we leave Dallas with four innovative proposals, four detailed roadmaps, and four global commitments that will help shape a better future for the PH community.

💙 PHAEUROPE & Global was proud to contribute alongside patient advocates, healthcare professionals, researchers, and partner organisations from around the world. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants, clinical mentors, and partners whose dedication, expertise, and vision made this milestone possible.

Special thanks to GAAPP and Latin Health Leaders for leading this initiative, in collaboration with PHA and PVRI.

➡Learn more about the Global PH Patient Hackathon and the Calls to Action:
https://gaapp.org/global-pulmonary-hypertension-patient-hackathon-2026/

When patients, healthcare professionals, and advocates work together, meaningful change becomes the norm rather than the exception.



Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute (PVRI) Pulmonary Hypertension Association Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform Latin Health Leaders

🌍💜 World PH Day Around the World | Nigeria 🇳🇬Today, we are proud to spotlight the inspiring efforts of the Walk4PH Commu...
16/06/2026

🌍💜 World PH Day Around the World | Nigeria 🇳🇬

Today, we are proud to spotlight the inspiring efforts of the Walk4PH Community in Nigeria, who marked World Pulmonary Hypertension Day 2026 with a powerful awareness walk bringing together patients, healthcare professionals, advocates, volunteers, and supporters.

Under this year's theme, "Hope in Every Trial," participants not only walked in solidarity with those affected by pulmonary hypertension (PH) but also helped raise awareness about the challenges faced by the PH community, including access to diagnosis, treatment, specialized care, and clinical trials.

The official World PH Day 2026 campaign materials by PHAEUROPE were used effectively throughout the event, helping to amplify important messages for the PH community in Nigeria 🇳🇬 and across Africa 🌍. The campaign's visual identity reinforced the call for greater awareness, improved access to care, and continued hope for those living with PH.

One month later, the impact of Walk4PH 2026 continues to resonate. Every step taken, every conversation shared, and every voice raised contributed to a growing movement of hope, advocacy, and awareness.

Patient advocate Ayotunde Omitogun, who was featured in this year's World PH Day campaign developed by PHAEUROPE, expressed heartfelt thanks to the volunteers, PH patients, partners, and supporters who came together to make Nigeria's first PH Awareness Walkathon and World PH Day 2026 event a success.

PHAEUROPE is honoured to share and celebrate the dedication of our PH community in Nigeria. Together, across continents and communities, we continue working toward a future where no person living with PH is left behind.

💜 Thank you, Walk4PH Community Nigeria, for keeping hope alive and making every step count.

🇧🇬   from Bulgaria 🙌👏We are thrilled to share an inspiring update from the Bulgarian PH community (BSPPH). Students from...
12/06/2026

🇧🇬 from Bulgaria 🙌👏

We are thrilled to share an inspiring update from the Bulgarian PH community (BSPPH). Students from the Faculty of Medicine at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski," along with their peers, threw their full support behind the "Donate Breath" (Дари дъх) campaign!

They actively participated in this year’s initiatives to raise public awareness about pulmonary hypertension. Through their commitment and empathy, these future medical professionals proved that young people can truly drive meaningful change, inspiring greater solidarity and care for human life across society. 🫁💙

A huge thank you to all the participants for your outstanding support and dedication to the "Donate Breath" cause!

Българско общество на пациентите с пулмонална хипертония 👏

🩵 MEN’S HEALTH WEEK | 9–15 JUNEMen’s Health Week reminds us that improving outcomes requires earlier recognition, timely...
11/06/2026

🩵 MEN’S HEALTH WEEK | 9–15 JUNE

Men’s Health Week reminds us that improving outcomes requires earlier recognition, timely referral, and equal access to care. In pulmonary vascular disease, a recent landmark study highlights a persistent and concerning s*x-related survival gap: men are at a survival disadvantage regardless of the specific type of pulmonary hypertension (PH) they have.

Supported by the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute (PVRI), the Cardiovascular Medical Research and Education Fund (CMREF), and the NIH, researchers analyzed 21,123 hemodynamically fully characterized patients from the PVRI GoDeep meta-registry. The data proved this male survival disadvantage persists regardless of disease severity, age, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and specific therapies.

This gap was consistently noted across low-, intermediate-, and high-risk patient groups. Notably, when stratified by race, male s*x was associated with worse survival in White patients, but not in Black or Asian patients with PH.

Because men are often diagnosed later, frequently underreporting early symptoms like unexplained breathlessness or fatigue, they routinely present with more advanced disease. Given this undeniable data, there must be a different, specifically tailored clinical approach to male PH patients. This week, dedicated to men’s health, is a critical opportunity to strengthen early detection, improve clinical suspicion, and invest in research that explains these s*x differences, ensuring that survival is determined by timely intervention rather than gender.

➡Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12768861/

🇷🇸   from Serbia: Looking Back, Moving Forward in PH CareAs part of World Pulmonary Hypertension Day 2026, the patient a...
10/06/2026

🇷🇸 from Serbia: Looking Back, Moving Forward in PH Care

As part of World Pulmonary Hypertension Day 2026, the patient association Pulmonary Hypertension Serbia organized the event “PH Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”, bringing together patients, families, healthcare professionals, healthcare system representatives, and decision-makers to discuss the evolution of pulmonary hypertension care in Serbia and the opportunities that lie ahead.

The event highlighted the remarkable progress achieved over the past decade, from a time when PH-specific therapies were not available to patients in Serbia to today’s significantly improved treatment landscape. Participants discussed the importance of early diagnosis, timely access to treatment, reducing waiting times, strengthening referral pathways, and ensuring that patients’ voices remain part of conversations shaping the future of PH care.

Leading experts, including Slavko Simeunović, Arsen Ristić, Jovan Matijašević, and Ivan Stanković, shared their perspectives on advances in diagnosis and treatment. The event also welcomed Željko Popadić from Serbia’s Health Insurance Fund, whose participation provided valuable insight into therapy access, treatment pathways, waiting times, and the next steps needed to further improve patient care.

The strong attendance and positive atmosphere reflected a shared commitment among patients, clinicians, institutions, and advocates to continue working together toward a better future for everyone living with pulmonary hypertension in Serbia. 💙

Organizacija Plućna hipertenzija Srbija - PH Serbia 👏

Four Years Later. The Evidence Is Clear. The Mission Continues.In 2022, PHAEUROPE brought the voice of the pulmonary hyp...
09/06/2026

Four Years Later. The Evidence Is Clear. The Mission Continues.

In 2022, PHAEUROPE brought the voice of the pulmonary hypertension community to the European Parliament, presenting its landmark Call to Action -an updated edition of the original 2012 paper, which was first launched in the European Parliament a decade earlier. Developed in collaboration with patients, clinicians, researchers, and international PH advocates, the initiative called for faster diagnosis, equitable access to care, stronger research investment, meaningful patient involvement in decision-making, comprehensive psychosocial support, and improved quality of life for everyone living with pulmonary hypertension. The initiative was supported and shaped with the involvement of leading experts and stakeholders including Prof. Marion Delcroix, Prof. Marius Hoeper, Prof. Marc Humbert, Prof. Adam Torbicki, Ass. Prof. Gabor Kovacs, as well as patient leaders such as Matt Granato (PHA USA) and Joan Paulin (PHA Canada), alongside European patient organisations and multidisciplinary partners across the PH community.

Since then, PHAEurope has also contributed to the groundbreaking Pulmonary Hypertension Global Patient Survey (PHGPS), led by the PVRI. Nearly 4,000 patients and carers from 90 countries shared their experiences, creating the largest global snapshot of life with PH ever collected.

The survey's findings reinforced many of the same priorities identified in our 2022 Call to Action: timely diagnosis, access to specialist care, improved quality of life, patient empowerment, and greater participation in research.

There has been progress. One important milestone was the inclusion of two patient representatives in the development of the 2022 ESC/ERS Pulmonary Hypertension Guidelines—the first time patients formally contributed to this process. Their involvement set a new standard, helping to ensure that the patient voice remains an integral part of future guideline development.

Patients were also included for the first time in Task Force 1, "Patient Perspectives", at the 2024 World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension. This marked an important recognition that people living with PH are not merely recipients of care, but essential partners in shaping research, policy, and the future of PH care.

Yet the work is far from finished.

Four years after our Call to Action and two years after the WSPH 2024, it is evident that the improvements in knowledge have not yet fully translated into equitable care or lived-experience change.

Backed by the voices of thousands of patients worldwide, the message is stronger than ever: the challenges are known, the evidence is growing, and the solutions are within reach.

Now we must ensure that progress translates into real change for every person living with PH, in every country across Europe and beyond.

Because meaningful progress is measured not by reports published, but by lives improved.

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