The 5th Baltic Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) Conference convened on May 9, 2025, in the historic city of Kaunas, Lithuania. Known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant academic community, Kaunas provided an inspiring backdrop for this significant gathering of PH professionals.

Prof. Skaidrius Miliauskas, me and Prof. Marc Humbert

This year’s conference brought together experts, clinicians, researchers, and the sole patient representative — myself — from across the Baltic region and beyond. A highlight of the event was the keynote lecture by Professor Marc Humbert, a world-renowned leader in pulmonary hypertension, who shared the latest insights into disease mechanisms and treatment strategies. He emphasized, among others, the promising fourth pathway that Sotatercept provides, highlighting its efficacy even in patients already on triple combination therapy.

The conference underscored the strong collaboration between the three Baltic countries: Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Several speakers emphasized the value of this cross-border cooperation, with discussions highlighting the potential for even closer collaboration in areas such as lung transplantation, where the small population sizes of each country make joint efforts particularly important.

Dr. Jurjan Aman from the Netherlands delivered an insightful presentation on the significance of the right ventricle in PH. He highlighted the collaborative work conducted at Amsterdam UMC alongside his mentor, Professor Anton Vonk Noordegraaf, emphasizing the need for focused research on right ventricular function. Dr. Aman also noted that right ventricular assessment is already an integral part of risk stratification in PH, as outlined in current guidelines, and can serve as an important prognostic tool.

Night scene from Kaunas

Professor Eglė Ereminienė from the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences in Kaunas discussed advancements in echocardiographic techniques, particularly the emerging possibilities offered by 3D echocardiography. Her presentation showcased how these innovations can enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient management in PH.

Dr. Ainā rs Rudzītis from Latvia led a session focusing on right heart catheterization, stressing the critical importance of precise measurements. He pointed out that even minor inaccuracies can significantly impact the calculation of hemodynamic parameters, potentially leading to misclassification of PH phenotypes and affecting treatment decisions.

Prof. Skaidrius Miliauskas posed a thought-provoking question: “Pulmonary hypertension in pulmonary diseases: can we help our patients?” Acknowledging the traditionally poor prognosis for this patient group, he highlighted recent improvements in treatment options, concluding affirmatively that there is indeed hope and potential for better outcomes.

The conference also addressed PH due to left heart disease – a condition where PH-specific medications are generally contraindicated. As such, the focus should be on treating the underlying cardiac condition. Several speakers emphasized that with proper management of the heart disease itself, patients can still experience meaningful improvements, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive and tailored treatment approach.

A particularly engaging part of the program was the abstract presentation session. A total of 12 abstracts were presented, with each speaker given three minutes to share their work, followed by a Q&A with one or two questions. This format provided an excellent opportunity for mostly medical students to practice presenting and defending their research. It was especially meaningful for me, as a PVD patient, to see so many medical students focusing on this area. Their dedication gives hope for the future – both in advancing treatment and in building a new generation of professionals committed to this field.

Throughout the conference, it was also commendable to see how often the current clinical guidelines were referred to. These guidelines, developed through the joint efforts of leading PH experts, serve as a foundation for evidence-based practice. Seeing them applied so consistently in presentations and discussions reflects a strong commitment to high-quality care and top-level treatment strategies when used correctly.

The event concluded with the discussion of complex patient cases, reinforcing the centrality of patient-focused care. One notable case involved the use of the Clinical Patient Management System (CPMS), a secure, GDPR-compliant platform developed by ERN-LUNG. This system facilitates cross-border consultations among healthcare professionals, enabling collaborative decision-making for challenging cases. Attendees were encouraged to utilize CPMS to enhance patient care through expert collaboration.

Special thanks are due to the organizers, particularly Prof. Skaidrius Miliauskas, prof. Eglė Ereminienė , and Assoc. prof. Deimantė Hoppenot, whose efforts were central to the success of the event.

I had the opportunity to video record many of the sessions, and they will be made available in the Bel Air Center in about a week’s time, allowing for broader access to the valuable knowledge shared during the conference.

Overall, the 5th Baltic PH Conference was a highly successful event, bringing together a passionate and committed community, all working toward improving outcomes for patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Hall Skåra
PHA Europe consultant
Oslo, May 11th