Prof. Dr. Ivo Petrov is the Medical Director and Head of the Clinic of Cardiology and Angiology at Acibadem City Clinic University Hospital Vitosha (Cardiovascular Center) in Sofia, Bulgaria. He is a Professor of Cardiology at the Faculty of Medicine of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and was elected Corresponding Member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) in September 2024. With over 30 years of clinical and academic excellence, Prof. Petrov is a leading global expert in endovascular therapy and interventional cardiovascular medicine.

*Key Innovations & Clinical Firsts*

World-First Pediatric Aortic Repair: First cardiologist in the world to perform a total aortic endoprosthesis implantation in a pediatric patient with an aortic aneurysm and dissection (published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology).

Bifurcation Stenting Pioneer: Internationally recognized pioneer in the implantation of bifurcation stents for complex coronary artery pathology.

Cerebrovascular & Stroke Breakthroughs: Performed Bulgaria’s first carotid stenting and cerebral thrombectomy procedures for acute ischemic stroke.

Structural Heart & Vascular Milestones: Introduced MitraClip implantation (2018), renal denervation for resistant hypertension, and endovascular treatments for May-Thurner syndrome, chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency, and abdominal aortic pathology in Bulgaria.

*Professional Experience*

2012 – Present: Medical Director & Head of the Clinic of Cardiology and Angiology, Acibadem City Clinic Cardiovascular Center 2018 – Present: Professor of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” 2006 – 2012: Head of the Clinic of Cardiology, Angiology and Electrophysiology, Tokuda Hospital (Acibadem City Clinic Tokuda) 1992 – 2004: Cardiologist & Assistant Professor, St. Ekaterina University Hospital for Cardiovascular Diseases 1999 – 2000: Fellow in Invasive Cardiology & Radiology, Favaloro Foundation Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

*Education & Qualifications*

Triple Board Certification: Internal Medicine, Interventional Cardiology, and Angiology

Academic Degrees: Doctor of Medical Sciences (DSc), PhD, Master’s in Public Health and Health Management

Advanced Fellowships: Doppler Echocardiography (Favaloro Foundation, Argentina), Endovascular & Stress Echocardiography (Wiesbaden, Germany)

*Leadership & Memberships*

Corresponding Member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) Co-President, Bulgarian Society of Endovascular Therapy Board Member, International Society of Endovascular Specialists (ISES) Former President, Society of Cardiologists in Bulgaria Honorary Member, American College of Cardiology (FACC) Honorary Member, European Society of Cardiology (FESC) Member, Cardiology Expert Council at the Ministry of Health of Bulgaria Member of SOLACI (Latin American Association of Interventional Cardiology), Argentine Society of Invasive Cardiology, and Spanish Association of Cardiology

*Publications, Research & Awards*

Author of over 250 scientific publications and holder of 3 medical patents.

Principal Investigator in numerous major international clinical trials (HERO-2, ROCKET AF, SHIFT, TRILOGY, CHAMPION PHOENIX, SOLID TIMI 52, among others).

Named "Man of the Year" (2018) and "Doctor of the Year" (2022) by the Bulgarian Medical Association for outstanding medical innovation and lifesaving clinical achievements.