FIRST BULGARIAN EULAR-ENDORSED COURSE ON CAPILLAROSCOPY AND MICROCIRCULATION IN RHEUMATIC DISEASES

The first Bulgarian EULAR-endorsed Course on Capillaroscopy and Microcirculation in rheumatic diseases (2024) was a logic consequence of the increasing need of international education in capillaroscopy in Bulgaria and reflects also the intensive collaboration between European experts in the field of capillaroscopy. The aim of the course was to present the proper technique of capillaroscopy, analysis of capillaroscopic images, interpretation of the results, differentiation between normal and pathological findings in rheumatic diseases. The full immersion 3-day-course provided a summary of the most recent advances in the field of microvascular pathology in rheumatic diseases from leading experts in the field. The course covered both basic theoretical and practical principles in performing and interpretation of capillaroscopic examination, as well as innovative aspects regarding microvasculopathy in rheumatic diseases based on the contemporary knowledge and the considerable practical experience of the experts. Members of the scientific committee and lecturers were three international guests - Prof. Dr. Maurizio Cutolo, Prof. Dr Vanessa Smith and Prof. Dr Ulf Müller-Ladner. Bulgarian organizers and lecturers were Prof Dr Rumen Stoilov (President of the Bulgarian Rheumatology Society), Prof Dr Sevdalina Lambova, Dr Vladimira Boyadzhieva, Prof. Dr. Hristo Dobrev and Dr Nikolay Stoilov.