First Biennial Conference

Stroke remains one of the most pressing health challenges of our time, especially in Asia where the burden of cerebrovascular disease continues to rise. The Philippines, in particular, stands at the crossroads of unique challenges and opportunities balancing limited resources with growing expertise in vascular and interventional neurology. Against this backdrop, the Philippine Academy of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (PAVIN) is proud to present its landmark biennial event.

Stroke Pathways Reimagined:
Precision, Progress, and Perspectives
April 9–10, 2026, Makati Shangri-La, Manila, Philippines

This two-day scientific gathering brought together vascular neurologists, interventional neurologists, general neurologists, and other healthcare professionals committed to advancing the frontiers of stroke prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. More than just another academic meeting, this conference served as a platform to reimagine how stroke care can evolve - anchored in science, guided by precision, and enriched by the Philippine experience.

A Message of Gratitude: A Historic Beginning

On behalf of the leadership of the Philippine Academy of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (PAVIN), we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who made our First Biennial Conference and Grand Launching a resounding success.

What began as a vision to unite the stroke community has culminated in a landmark event that truly lived up to its theme: "Stroke Pathways Reimagined: Precision, Progress, and Philippine Perspectives." Together, we haven't just held a conference; we have launched a legacy.

Our Sincere Appreciation To:

Our Esteemed Faculty and Speakers: For sharing your expertise and pushing the boundaries of stroke science. Your insights into precision care have set a new benchmark for our practice.
The Consensus Panelists: For your tireless work on the Standardization of Diagnosis and Imaging of ICAS in Asia. This contribution is a proud milestone for Philippine neurology on the regional stage.
Our Partners and Sponsors: For your unwavering belief in our mission and for providing the resources to bring this ambitious gathering to life.
Our Delegates: Your energy, engagement, and commitment to excellence are what transform an academic community into a movement.

Moving Forward

This conference was more than a series of lectures - it was the official start of a tradition dedicated to leadership and innovation. As we close this chapter, we carry forward the spirit of collaboration that defined our time together.

"The success of this inaugural event is a testament to what we can achieve when we are united by a single goal: the advancement of stroke care for every Filipino and our neighbors across Asia."

Thank you for being part of history in the making. We look forward to seeing the "reimagined pathways" we discussed put into practice, and we eagerly anticipate our next biennial gathering in 2028!

ALLAN A. BELEN, MD, MMHoA, FPNA, FPAVIN
President, Philippine Academy of Vascular and Interventional Neurology
on behalf of the First PAVIN Biennial Conference Organizing Committee

Acute and Subacute Therapies
Moderator: Dr. Jennifer Justice F. Manzano

Timely intervention during the acute and subacute phases is critical to saving lives and preserving function. This session highlighted optimizing prehospital triage systems, comparing thrombolytic therapies, refining neurocritical care practices, and redesigning pediatric stroke management. Practical, resource-sensitive strategies were shared to strengthen workflows and improve outcomes in diverse Philippine hospital settings.

The First PAVIN Biennial Conference

The sessions were carefully designed to tackle the entire stroke continuum of care, from prevention to cutting-edge interventions, and from acute management to long-term outcomes. Each session was led by esteemed vascular and interventional neurologists and other leading experts, ensuring that participants received the highest quality of academic and practical insights.

Primary and Secondary Prevention in Stroke
Moderator: Dr. Muktader A. Kalbi

Stroke prevention is the foundation of reducing the national burden of disease. This session explored genetics, biomarkers, lipid-lowering therapies, and precision antithrombotics to guide risk stratification and intervention. Discussions focused on equitable, cost-effective strategies adapted to Philippine healthcare realities for sustainable and impactful prevention efforts.

Genomic Signatures and Biomarkers for Stroke: Redefining Risk in the Philippine Population
Dr. Alejandro C. Baroque, II

The Neuroimmune-Psychosocial Stress Axis and Cardio and Cerebrovascular Disease: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications
Dr. Alejandro Bimbo F. Diaz

Redefining Antithrombotic Therapy: From Broad-Spectrum Agents to Factor XI Precision Inhibitors
Dr. Loreto P. Talabucon, Jr.

Interventional Stroke Medicine
Moderator: Dr. Dan Neftalie A. Juangco

Interventional neurology continues to transform stroke care through rapid advances and innovative techniques. This session covered mechanical thrombectomy, complex posterior circulation interventions, and neuroprotection after procedures. Participants gained practical insights to expand access and build interventional stroke hubs across the Philippine archipelago.

Optimizing Stroke Systems: Tailoring Prehospital Triage Scales to Philippine Realities
Dr. Julie Ann Kristy L. Torres

Thrombolysis in Transition: Comparative Evidence on Alteplase vs. Tenecteplase in Philippine Stroke Care
Dr. Lennie Lynn C. De Castillo

Early Neurocritical Care: Precision Management of Reperfusion Injuries in the First 48 Hours
Dr. Manolo Kristoffer C. Flores

Redesigning the Blueprint: Navigating the Unique Landscape of Pediatric Ischemic Stroke
Dr. Elbert John V. Layug

Vascular Cognitive Disorders
Moderator: Dr. Ma. Leticia Araullo-de Jesus

Stroke impacts not only movement but also cognition and quality of life. This session examined mechanisms of cognitive decline, explored early biomarkers, and reviewed comprehensive management strategies. Emphasis was placed on integrating pharmacologic and lifestyle interventions with community-based approaches tailored to local healthcare realities.

Mechanical Thrombectomy: Past Breakthroughs, Present Practice, and Future Horizons
Dr. Dianne Kay D. Ferrer

Cracking the Posterior Circulation Code: Advanced Strategies for Complex Thrombectomy
Dr. Clare Angeli G. Enriquez

Beyond the Procedure: Hemodynamic Precision and Neuroprotection After Thrombectomy
Dr. Roselyn V. Pamatmat

Cerebroprotection in Stroke
Moderator: Dr. Ma. Socorro F. Sarfati

Beyond reperfusion and rehabilitation, cerebroprotection represents the next frontier in stroke care. This session highlighted emerging neuroprotective innovations, ischemic conditioning techniques, and repurposed common therapies. Discussions balanced scientific discovery with affordable, practical strategies for reducing brain injury and improving recovery in Philippine stroke patients.

Unraveling Vascular Cognitive Impairment: Mechanisms from Microvascular Injury to Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction
Dr. Anna Marie Sage-Nolido

Biomarkers in VCI: Early Detection, Prognostication, and Pathway to Interventions
Dr. Alvin Rae F. Cenina

Mechanism-Based Pharmacologic Treatment of Vascular Cognitive Impairment: Targeting Subcortical Ischemic Disease, Executive Dysfunction, and Mixed Pathology in Filipino Patients
Dr. Steven G. Villaraza

Holistic Management of VCI: Pharmacology Meets Lifestyle Medicine
Dr. Donnabelle M. Chu

Neuroprotection in Stroke: From Cooling to Cutting-Edge Molecular Therapies
Dr. Johhny K. Lokin

Conditioning the Brain: Harnessing Ischemic Pre- and Postconditioning for Stroke Care
Dr. Stephanie Patricia J. Badillo

Repurposing Common Therapies: Everyday Agents with Neuroprotective Impact
Dr. Gabriel Alejandro B. Baroque

The Highlight: Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis:
Asian Consensus on Standardized Diagnosis and Imaging

Experts from across Asia convened to address one of the most pressing yet inconsistently managed stroke-related conditions. ICAS is particularly prevalent in Asian populations, contributing significantly to recurrent strokes and long-term disability. However, diagnostic criteria, imaging modalities, and severity thresholds vary widely across countries and institutions, hampering both clinical care and collaborative research.

This initiative marks a historic milestone, as it represents the first concerted effort to harmonize ICAS diagnosis and imaging standards across the region. The outcomes of this consensus conference are expected to shape practice guidelines, inform clinical decisions, and elevate the quality of stroke care in Asia for years to come.

Session Moderator: Dr. Bonifacio C. Pedregosa, II

Introduction to the Asian ICAS Consortium
Dr. Jose C. Navarro

Diagnosis and Diagnostic Criteria - Preliminary Results of First Delphi Rounds
Dr. Maria Socorro F. Sarfati

Diagnostic Modalities - Preliminary Results of First Delphi Rounds
Dr. Maria Teresa A. Cañete

Measurement of Stenosis - Preliminary Results of First Delphi Rounds
Dr. John Harold B. Hiyadan

Click here for more details about the ICAS Consensus.