19th Scientific Annual Meeting of the International Society of Vascular Health ang Ageing (ISVH)

We are pleased to invite you to 19th Scientific Annual Meeting of the International Society of Vascular Health ang Ageing (ISVH), which will be held from April 16–18, 2026, at the Hotel Kolovare in Zadar, Croatia.

Conference Report

The 19th Scientific Annual Meeting of the International Society for Vascular Health and Ageing, held in Zadar, Croatia (April 16–18, 2026), brought together leading experts in vascular biology, ageing, and cardiometabolic medicine. The congress, officially endorsed by the European Society for Microcirculation (ESM), emphasized the integration of microvascular and macrovascular perspectives, with a strong focus on translating mechanistic insights into clinical practice.

A central highlight was the joint session “Micro and macrocirculation,” organized in collaboration with ESM, which exemplified the growing convergence of these traditionally distinct fields. Chaired by Ines Drenjančević and Jan Pitha, current ESM President, the session provided a comprehensive overview of vascular dysfunction across different pathophysiological contexts. Prof. Eszter Farkas (ESM Past President) discussed the potential of senolytic therapies in experimental acute ischemic stroke, linking vascular ageing with neurovascular outcomes. Prof. Pitha addressed alterations in vascular properties in type 1 diabetes and pre-HFpEF in women, highlighting early and sex-specific vascular changes.

Further contributions included Prof. Drenjančević’s presentation on micro- and macrovascular function in chronic kidney disease, emphasizing endothelial dysfunction as a key mediator of cardiorenal interactions. Prof. Akos Koller explored the central role of the microvascular endothelium in mRNA vaccine-related vascular responses, while Prof. Ana Stupin presented on early microvascular perturbations in pre-hypertension.

Overall, the meeting successfully strengthened collaboration between microvascular and macrovascular research communities. The strong presence of ESM leadership and members reinforced the strategic importance of microcirculation in advancing vascular science and improving clinical approaches to complex cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.