Month: February 2026

The center of clinical excellence is a full member and training center of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE), certified under the GESEA program following a several-month accreditation cycle.

High-quality training in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery requires not only technical skills, but also a clear concept, consistency, and mentorship. These principles formed the foundation of the latest GESEA (Gynaecological Endoscopic Surgical Education and Assessment) course – “Fundamentals of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery,” held at the training center of the high-tech hospital complex “Heart and Brain” in Pleven.

The course brought together medical students, residents, and young specialists for whom minimally invasive approaches are becoming a standard in their daily clinical practice. The program was structured to provide a solid foundation—from theoretical principles to focused practical improvement of basic laparoscopic and hysteroscopic techniques.

The training was conducted under the leadership of Dr. Aleksandar Lyubenov, Director of the Clinical and Experimental Medicine Training Center (SIMLAB), with the active participation of Chief Mentor Dr. Atanas Aleksandrov and mentors Dr. Desislava Kiporova, Dr. Dobromir Andreev, and Dr. Ester Ilieva.

Working in small groups allowed for an individualized approach and direct feedback—key elements in developing surgical thinking and confidence. Special emphasis was placed on mastering laparoscopic suturing and knot-tying skills, which remain the gold standard in minimally invasive surgery and determine the quality and safety of every procedure.

As part of the practical module, participants also had the opportunity to observe live surgery, demonstrating the real-world application of the acquired techniques in core gynecologic procedures—from laparoscopic approaches to modern hysteroscopic methods.

The course once again reinforced the importance of structured training programs and teamwork in the development of young specialists – a long-standing mission of the OB/GYN team at “Heart and Brain,” who continue to establish minimally invasive gynecologic surgery as a standard of care in Bulgaria.

February marks an important milestone for Bulgarian urology. The team at the high-tech hospital complex “Heart and Brain,” led by Prof. Anakievski, has reached the impressive number of 1,500 successfully performed robot-assisted urological surgeries using the da Vinci robotic system.

This achievement is the result of more than five years of focused development in minimally invasive and robotic surgery at the medical facility. The teams have consistently implemented innovative approaches that improve treatment standards and expand the capabilities of modern urological practice in Bulgaria.

The da Vinci robotic system enables exceptional surgical precision, reduced operative trauma, and faster patient recovery. Each of the 1,500 successful procedures represents a lower risk of complications, shorter hospital stays, and improved quality of life.

“This success is not just a statistic, but proof of sustainability, professionalism, and trust between doctor and patient, which have established ‘Heart and Brain’ hospitals as leading centers for robotic urological surgery in the country. Our team continues to develop its medical expertise and invest in innovation, placing the patient at the center of every medical practice,” Prof. Anakievski shared.

,Heart and Brain’ is the first and, to date, the only oncology center in Bulgaria that is a member of the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI).

During Cancer Awareness Month, one of Bulgaria’s leading oncology specialists and Head of the Comprehensive Oncology Center at Heart and Brain – Pleven, Prof. Natalia Chilingirova, speaks about the possibilities for modern and effective cancer treatment in Bulgaria. “Today, oncology itself is an innovation,” she says.

Humanity has lived with cancer for millennia. Alongside genetic predisposition, lifestyle, nutrition, and smoking remain among the most significant risk factors influencing whether cancer develops. According to recent data from the Ministry of Health, 303,450 people in Bulgaria are currently registered as living with cancer, with breast cancer being the most common diagnosis.

While screening has long been a proven and systematic approach in many European countries, in Bulgaria prevention programs are still largely campaign-based and episodic. Nevertheless, specialists will never stop emphasizing that prevention is crucial. The earlier cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat and the longer patients live. “Because a diagnosis is not a sentence. Our patients are heroes. They go through hell – each in their own way. As specialists, we can support them, guide them, and help them cope with this challenge faster and more easily. And as a society, we must not turn cancer into a stigma,” Prof. Chilingirova stresses.

At Heart and Brain, we utilize all the possibilities of modern medicine, with innovation embedded throughout the entire process. From diagnostics — where today we are able to detect diseases at a much earlier stage — to treatment, which includes numerous advanced and high-cost immunotherapies, targeted therapies, and personalized treatments that significantly improve patients’ quality of life.

Our radiation oncologists operate the only Gamma Knife system in the country, enabling highly precise and minimally invasive treatment of brain tumors without the need for open surgery. An increasing number of patients turn to us for this type of therapy. These innovative approaches can be applied alongside chemotherapy or independently, achieving significantly better outcomes.

Moreover, in cases such as breast or lung cancer diagnosed at an early stage, we can already speak of “chronic conditions,” as patients are able to live with the disease, continue working, and actively contribute to society. For other malignancies, such as sarcomas, progress continues within the field of clinical trials.

For nearly four years, the first cardio-oncology unit in Bulgaria has been operating at Heart and Brain, where a team of six cardiologists provides daily consultations and monitoring for all oncology patients. This is extremely important. In the past, treatment often had to be discontinued due to cardiovascular complications — today, this is no longer the case.

Heart and Brain is the first and, to date, the only oncology center in Bulgaria that is a member of the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI). This membership enables our specialists to exchange expertise and data with leading oncology institutions across Europe and to discuss more complex cases with colleagues from some of the best hospitals on the continent.

“Membership is an honor for us, but also a great responsibility — both to our colleagues and to our patients,” Prof. Chilingirova emphasizes.

“It is a source of pride for our team that, at our Comprehensive Oncology Center in Pleven, we treat patients from across the country — from Sofia to Blagoevgrad and Kardzhali — and increasingly welcome patients from the United Kingdom, Germany, and Greece. These patients come to us based on first-hand recommendations from friends and acquaintances. They know they will receive expertise, compassion, hope, and comprehensive care throughout the challenging journey we undertake together in the fight against cancer.”

Should treatment be denied to an elderly person simply because they have outlived many of their classmates?

The average life expectancy in Bulgaria is around 75.8 years, compared to 81.5 years in Europe. How actively retirees can live in our country depends on their outlook on life and their health condition, but elderly people who value their time and health should not give up on a полноцен and meaningful life.

Today, thanks to medical advances, worn-out or diseased structures of the human body can be replaced with minimal trauma. This allows a person to remain active and close to their loved ones for as long and as fully as possible, rather than agonizing until the end of their days. New joints, vascular implants, and heart valves are implanted without the large surgical interventions known from the past.

Such is the case of Dimitar. At the remarkable age of 86, he was admitted urgently to the high-tech hospital complex “Heart and Brain” with severe shortness of breath and swelling throughout his body. At the cardiology clinic, specialists discovered that one of his heart valves—the mitral valve—was ruptured. The patient was indicated for surgical treatment. Standard mitral valve surgery involves opening the breastbone, causing major surgical trauma and requiring a recovery period of about two months.

In Germany, 86% of mitral valve surgeries are performed in this way, while only 14% of patients undergo minimally invasive procedures. At the cardiac surgery department of “Heart and Brain” in Burgas, this is not the case—all patients with valve diseases are operated on minimally invasively. Dimitar was stabilized with medication, prepared for surgery, and operated on endoscopically. Under video control, through four small incisions in the chest, his valve was replaced with a new-generation biological prosthesis. The next day, the patient was walking in the intensive care unit, and a week later he was home with his family.

Similar procedures are performed daily by the team of Dr. Petar Uzov at the Cardiac Surgery Clinic of “Heart and Brain.” Since 2019, Dr. Uzov has introduced the method of totally endoscopic access to the heart valves, making him a pioneer in the country. All structural heart diseases can be treated endoscopically, and science and practice show that contraindications for the method are few.

In January, a team from the Gynecology Department of Heart and Brain – Burgas successfully completed specialized training at one of Europe’s leading centers for robotic surgery in Athens. The training was attended by console surgeon Dr. Radoslav Goranov, Head of the Department, and assistant Dr. Turkyan Mustafa. As a result, the team in Bulgaria’s coastal city now includes three specialists certified to work with the da Vinci X robotic system, among them Dr. Atanas Alexandrov, an experienced console surgeon.

This achievement marks another significant step in the hospital’s long-term strategy of implementing high-tech solutions and fostering the continuous professional development of its medical specialists. Heart and Brain Hospital – Burgas is the only medical facility in the city and the region equipped with two top-of-the-line da Vinci X robotic systems. The technology provides exceptional precision, excellent visualization, and a high level of safety during surgical procedures, while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues.

Robot-assisted gynecological surgery is particularly suitable for patients requiring the most gentle and precise surgical approach. The method is successfully applied in cases of uterine fibroids, endometriosis, gynecologic cancers, as well as more complex cases involving previous surgeries or anatomical особенities. Its advantages include faster recovery, reduced postoperative pain, and better long-term outcomes. The department’s team is highly trained and strongly motivated, with a clear vision for further advancing minimally invasive treatment methods to achieve optimal therapeutic results.

The adoption of innovative technologies and the continuous improvement of professional skills are at the foundation of modern medicine, with the ultimate goal remaining unchanged: to provide the highest quality healthcare for patients.

“As a society, we must not turn cancer into a stigma. These people are sick, but they are not to blame. Let us be more human, because human suffering is immeasurable. Cancer patients have all the same rights as everyone else, they can be happy, and we must help them achieve that.”

This was stated by Prof. Natalia Chilingirova, head of the Cancer Center at Heart and Brain Hospital in Pleven, who also emphasized the importance of prevention:

“The earlier we detect cancer, the easier it is to treat and the longer our patients live. While in other European countries screening has long been an established practice, in Bulgaria this is still not the case. These campaigns remain sporadic. A diagnosis reflects the patient’s condition; they are not to blame, and it is not a sentence. These patients are heroes—only they truly know how they cope with the diagnosis.”

She also noted that diagnostic methods have greatly improved in recent years, allowing for earlier detection of the disease.

The Cancer Center at Heart and Brain Hospital has excellent specialists who apply innovations in techniques and treatment on a daily basis, following established European standards.

Prof. Chilingirova highlighted that lifestyle, nutrition, and smoking are risk factors that have the greatest influence on whether someone develops cancer or not.

“On World Cancer Day, it is important to remember that the quality and length of life after cancer depend not only on oncological success, but also on good cardiovascular health,” shares Prof. Natalia Chilingirova.

In recent years, the treatment of patients with oncological diagnoses has undergone significant changes. We are living in an era of innovation – a concept that accurately reflects the dynamics of oncology and the opportunities available to specialists to provide patients with innovative, precision-based therapies. The goal is clear: improving therapeutic outcomes and achieving a more effective fight against cancer.

The Oncology Center at Heart and Brain Hospitals meets to the greatest extent the criteria of a highly specialized comprehensive center, capable of providing complete patient care – from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up. The operation of a medical genetics unit offers patients state-of-the-art diagnostic possibilities, while the success of minimally invasive approaches in surgery, gynecology, and urology further enhances clinical outcomes. The high-tech hospital complex is also home to the only Gamma Knife in Bulgaria, as well as the most advanced radiotherapy center in the country.

Modern medical oncology also bases its success on highly specialized therapies, including immunotherapy and chemotherapy, with fast and timely patient access ensured at the Oncology Center of Heart and Brain.

In recent years, the treatment of oncology patients has achieved increasingly better results, allowing more people to live longer and with a better quality of life after diagnosis. Alongside this progress, however, new anticancer medications have introduced a new challenge – the preservation of cardiovascular health during and after treatment. Cardiotoxicity, or damage to the heart caused by anticancer therapy, is among the most common and clinically significant toxicities observed in oncology patients. It may manifest in various forms depending on the type of therapy applied, including heart failure, arterial hypertension, rhythm and conduction disorders, pulmonary hypertension, myocarditis, pericarditis, ischemic heart disease, and arterial and venous thrombosis. In addition to occurring during therapy, manifestations of cardiotoxicity may also appear later – sometimes even years after treatment has ended.

This is where one of the key innovations of the Oncology Center at Heart and Brain stands out – the first cardio-oncology unit in Bulgaria. The role of the cardio-oncologist is to assess the risk of cardiovascular damage before the initiation of anticancer therapy, to develop an individualized monitoring plan during and after treatment, and, when necessary, to initiate cardioprotective therapy. The aim is early detection of both clinical and subclinical cardiotoxicity – before the onset of symptoms – during therapy and in long-term follow-up. Modern medicine increasingly demonstrates that a multidisciplinary and personalized approach is the key to successful treatment. This not only improves treatment safety but also enhances long-term quality of life.

Since 2022, the high-tech hospital complex Heart and Brain has been developing close collaboration between oncologists and cardiologists. In 2025, the first cardio-oncology sector of its kind in Bulgaria was established within the Cardiology Clinic, led by Dr. Martina Samardzhieva. A team of six cardiologists now provides daily consultations and follow-up for dozens of oncology patients. On World Cancer Day, it is essential to remember that patient care does not end with tumor control, because the quality and duration of life after cancer depend not only on oncological success, but also on good cardiovascular health—achieved through teamwork among physicians from different specialties and the active involvement of the patient.