In March 2025, Chisinau, Moldova, emerged as a regional hub for advanced stroke care training, hosting the inaugural Moldova Stroke Neuroimaging Workshop with the support of the Angels Initiative.
This landmark gathering brought together neurologists, radiologists, and interventional specialists from stroke centers across the country. It introduced a fresh training format within the Angels community and marked a pivotal moment in Moldova’s ongoing efforts to raise the standard of stroke diagnostics, foster international collaboration, and improve the lives of patients affected by one of the world’s leading causes of disability and death.
The event also reflected the culmination of seven years of dedicated support from Angels consultant Lev Prystipiuk, who first visited Moldova’s stroke community in 2018. Although subsequent years were marred by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, Lev remained a steadfast presence. Through a structured consultancy process, he supported Moldova in launching a national telemedicine service, expanding its network of stroke-ready hospitals from three to 13, and achieving a remarkable increase in ESO Angels Awards from two to 20.
Expanding access, elevating care
The workshop was hosted at the Comprehensive Stroke Center at the Institute of Emergency Medicine (IMSP IMU) in Chisinau — a center that earned Moldova’s first ESO Angels Award in 2023. The IMSP IMU has been at the forefront of stroke innovation, joining the ESO EAST project in 2016 and enrolling in the RES-Q quality registry the following year. It was among the first centers in Moldova to perform mechanical thrombectomy, a milestone achieved in 2018.
In 2022, IMSP IMU and “Nicolae Testemitanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, together with the Angels Initiative and the Moldovian Association of Neurology, launched a government-endorsed telemedicine project designed to bridge regional disparities in stroke care.
Led by Academician Stanislav Groppa, the project connected regional hospitals to a central stroke hub, enabling timely consultations with stroke specialists regardless of geographical limitations. Through this network, the Comprehensive Stroke Center at IMSP IMU now interprets an impressive 350–400 CT scans monthly from 11 affiliated stroke centers — a critical service that ensures rapid decision-making for patients in need of urgent intervention.
The Moldova Stroke Neuroimaging Workshop was designed to build on these advances, with key goals including the refinement of diagnostic skills, the deepening of acute imaging expertise, the strengthening of clinical decision-making processes, and the fostering of a collaborative professional community across Moldova’s expanding stroke network.
Knowledge sharing across borders
Emphasizing regional solidarity, the two-day workshop featured a distinguished faculty from Ukraine, demonstrating how collaboration transcends borders even amid regional instability.
Leading the sessions were Dr. Dmytro Lebedynets, Head of the Expert Group on Neurology and Neurosurgery at Ukraine’s Ministry of Health and National Coordinator of the European Stroke Action Plan; Dr. Dmytro Hrynykha, a top expert in neuroimaging and interventional neurology; and Dr. Kateryna Peshevich, a highly regarded specialist in CT and MRI for acute stroke at Odrex Hospital in Odesa.
The first day included an overview of the Angels Regional Strategy and workshops on acute imaging techniques — from selecting the right modality to mastering technical nuances and enhancing rapid interpretation. Special attention was paid to the role of MRI in the acute setting, where speed is often critical. Drs. Peshevich and Hrynykha jointly led case-based sessions emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration between radiologists and neurologists, while Dr. Peshevich’s standout presentation offered a practical “survival guide” to mastering non-enhanced CT, ASPECTS, CTA, and CPT basics.
Day two opened with Dr. Lebedynets’ compelling presentation, “Hemorrhagic Complications and Predictors of Transformation”, which urged participants to maintain clinical composure in high-stress situations. Dr. Peshevich followed with an interactive session on leveraging radiologist software to maximize imaging efficiency and accuracy. The program concluded with the inspirational “Working on Mistakes: How to Become a Better Version of Yourself”, a session encouraging reflective learning and continuous improvement.
A nation’s health on the rise
In Moldova, stroke remains a formidable public health challenge, ranking as the third leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease and cancer. According to data shared by Academician Groppa, the burden of stroke is immense: on average, a patient suffers a stroke every hour, and one person dies from stroke every 90 minutes. An estimated 80,000 individuals in Moldova live with the aftermath of stroke, many facing long-term disability and reduced quality of life.
However, a coordinated national effort is beginning to change the trajectory. A 2022 study led by Academician Groppa analyzed six years of IMSP IMU participation in RES-Q and found striking improvements: thrombolysis rates rose from less than 3% in 2017 to 20% in 2022; the median door-to-needle time dropped from 85 to 48 minutes; thrombectomy rates rose significantly; and door-to-groin times were nearly halved.
Three years later, Moldova’s broader stroke network reflects a similar upward trend. There are now nine award-winning hospitals recognized for stroke care excellence, and IMSP IMU has achieved Diamond status — the highest performance tier — for three consecutive quarters in 2024. Network-wide, the recanalization rate has improved from under 10% to 16.5%, and door-to-needle times have consistently remained below 60 minutes since 2018.
The Moldova Stroke Neuroimaging Workshop represents more than a training event; it is a powerful symbol of what focused collaboration, international support, and local leadership can achieve.
“This workshop will not only improve stroke diagnostics”, said Lev Prystipiuk. “It is a significant step toward strengthening expertise, fostering international partnerships, and ultimately offering hope to stroke patients through timely, life-saving care. Together, we are reshaping the future of stroke treatment in Moldova — and beyond”.
