Angeliki Eleftheriou

Athens Medical Center, Greece

Title: Greece’s First PERT initiative: Outcomes of the first 50 patients, including a rare case and a Head to Head Comparison with the US Experience

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Biography

Angeliki Eleftheriou is a distinguished cardiologist, clinical researcher, and Director of the Cardiology Clinic at Athens Medical Center in Athens, Greece. With more than three decades of experience in cardiovascular medicine, she has established herself as a leading physician dedicated to excellence in patient care, scientific research, and medical education.

Eleftheriou graduated from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in 1990. She later completed her PhD at the same university with her research focusing on experimental acute myocardial infarction and reperfusion under different levels of arterial pressure. Her doctoral research contributed to the understanding of cardiovascular injury and recovery mechanisms and was recognized with awards for her experimental scientific work.

Throughout her career, Eleftheriou has held senior clinical positions in renowned medical institutions, including Athens Medical Center and Henry Dunant Hospital. Since 2013, she has served as Director of the Cardiology Clinic at Athens Medical Center, where she is responsible for providing advanced cardiovascular care and leading clinical activities. She also maintains a private cardiology practice, offering comprehensive diagnostic and preventive cardiovascular services, including electrocardiography, echocardiography, Holter monitoring, and blood pressure assessment.

Her clinical and research interests include heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, myocardial infarction, cardiovascular prevention, and advanced diagnostic approaches. Dr. Eleftheriou has participated in numerous clinical and experimental research protocols, published scientific articles, and contributed to international and national cardiology conferences through lectures, presentations, and scientific posters.

She is actively involved in medical education and professional development, participating in educational programs for physicians and training medical students. She serves on the Education Committee of the PERT Consortium and is the physician responsible for the Athens PERT program at Athens Medical Center, which became an international founding member of the PERT Consortium in Greece under her scientific guidance.

Eleftheriou is a member of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology, the Hellenic Society of Hypertension, and the Hellenic Heart Failure Association. She has also contributed as a reviewer for international scientific journals and has received recognition for her contributions to cardiovascular research and education.

Abstract

Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is the third most common cause of cardiovascular death globally. Rapid diagnosis, risk stratification and management of PE patients are all absolutely essential and improve their outcomes.

Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams (PERTs) have modified PE patient management especially those of intermediate-high and high risk via individualized treatment, advanced therapy and  post-discharge follow up. The 2026 AHA/ACC have established a class 1 recommendation for PERTs. Besides the USA, PERTs adoption in Greece remains in its infancy. 

More than a year ago ATHENS MEDICAL CENTER became an international founding member of the PERT CONSORTIUM in Greece. A database platform aligned with the USA platform has been set up alongside a participation in the Education Committee of the organization. 

This Keynote presentation will introduce the experience of Greece’s first PERT focusing on its clinical workflow and outcomes of the first 50 patients. A rare case will also be presented indicating the importance and the benefits of PERT activation. 

Benchmarking reports of Athens Medical Center data and PERC Registry (from the United States) revealing similarities and discrepancies will also be addressed. 

This presentation will strive to define the difficulty of setting up a PERT alongside the benefits of its development as well as future challenges including a potential  international   scientific and research collaboration.

The experience will serve as a framework for other healthcare systems which will potentially adopt the multidisciplinary approach for the management of acute pulmonary embolism patients thus ensuring the advance of cardiovascular care worldwide.