Analysis results Astana hosted the European Heart Failure School 2025 — one of the largest educational events of the year in cardiology and cardiac surgery, bringing together leading specialists from Kazakhstan as well as from near and far abroad. The school gathered cardiologists, internists, general practitioners, regional HF and VAD coordinators, and nursing professionals.
The event was held in a hybrid format, allowing for broader audience
coverage:
• 385 specialists attended in person
• 588 participants joined online
Topical Subjects and Key Program Themes
The first day was dedicated to plenary sessions in which experts presented
reports on modern approaches to managing patients with chronic heart failure.
Key topics discussed included:
• characteristics of HF with preserved left ventricular function;
• the relationship between HF and chronic kidney disease;
• the clinical significance of the NT-proBNP biomarker;
• surgical treatment of heart failure and analysis of clinical cases.
Significant attention was given to pharmacotherapy, cardiac pacemaker implantation, and the use of the left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
A dedicated section focused on the role of nurses in HF management: patient care, complication prevention, psychological support, and rehabilitation stages after surgical treatment.
According to global statistics, approximately 64 million people suffer from heart failure, and in Kazakhstan alone, 102,600 patients were diagnosed in the first 9 months of 2025, highlighting the scale of the issue and the importance of the topics discussed.
Practical Sessions and Master Classes
The second day included a hands-on master class on echocardiographic diagnostics of HF and observation of an LVAD implantation surgery. These sessions engaged more than 400 participants from various regions.
On 8 November, an additional echocardiography master class was held at the
UMC Heart Center:
• 242 specialists attended in person
• 70 participants joined online
The master classes offered a unique opportunity for physicians to acquire practical skills and gain exposure to new diagnostic and treatment technologies.
International Participation and Expansion of Professional Collaboration
The school gathered experts from more than 10 countries, including Kazakhstan, the UAE, Cyprus, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Lithuania, the USA, Italy, and Greece.
Participants exchanged experience, discussed recent scientific advancements, and explored the implementation of the latest ESC 2025 European guidelines into clinical practice.
Specialized Sections: Cardio-Oncology and LVAD
The program included a dedicated session on cardio-oncology, covering modern approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and interdisciplinary management of patients with combined oncological diseases and heart failure. The topic drew particular interest and became one of the key segments of the scientific agenda.
Another specialized section focused on the use of LVAD in patients with end-stage HF. Experts presented clinical cases, discussed patient selection criteria, management features, and emphasized the importance of a multidisciplinary approach.
The Role of Nurses: Emphasis on Team-Based Care
Special attention was given to nursing. Discussions covered patient condition monitoring, medication management, patient and family counseling, and the involvement of nurses in multidisciplinary teams.
Organizers
The school was organized by:
• Makhabbat Bekbossynova — Deputy Chair of the Board of UM, President of
the Atherosclerosis Society of Kazakhstan, Chief Cardiologist of the Ministry
of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan
• Saltanat Andosova — President of the Society of Heart Failure
Specialists of Kazakhstan.
The organizers expressed deep gratitude to international colleagues for their contribution to the development of cardiology science and practice in Kazakhstan and globally.
Conclusion
The European Heart Failure School 2025 became an important platform for promoting modern approaches to heart failure treatment, enhancing international collaboration, and strengthening the professional community. The event underscores the significance of educational initiatives in improving the quality of medical care and implementing advanced recommendations into clinical practice.
