William Wijns
EDUCATION RESPONSIBILITIES AND MEETING ORGANISATION
Currently, William Wijns is SFI (Science Foundation Ireland) Professor in Interventional Cardiology at the Lambe Institute for Translational Medicine, Curam, and Saolta University Healthcare Group, National University of Ireland Galway. He is also the Director of the Smart Sensors Lab. He has served the ESC in various positions, including Vice-President, Scientific Programme Chair, and was also a President of the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiac Intervention (EAPCI).
Presently, William Wijns is:
- EuroPCR Course Director
- Co-Director of AfricaPCR
- Chairman of PCR
Diplomas
| Year | Diploma |
|---|---|
| 1976 - 1981 | Cardiologist - University of Louvain, Belgium (Prof. J-M. Detry) |
| 1981 | First applications of nuclear cardiology, thrombolysis and coronary dilatation - Thorax Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Prof. P. Hugenholtz) |
| 1986 | Clinical Professor of Cardiology |
Clinical career
| Year | Function + center |
|---|---|
| 1984 - 1985 | Visiting Associate Professor of Radiological Sciences UCLA (Prof. H. Schelbert) |
| 1986 | Director of the cardiac PET programme (reserach on regulation of coronary blood flow and cardiac metabolism in ischemic heart disease) - University of Louvain, Belgium |
| 1994 - 2016 | Co-Director of the Cardiovascular Center Aalst and interventional cardiologist (also involved with the clinical applications of non-invasive coronary angiography with the use of multislice computed tomography) |
| Since 2016 | SFI Professor in Interventional Cardiology (SFI stands for Science Foundation Ireland) |
Declaration of interest
| Function | Company |
|---|---|
| Honorarium | Abbott Vascular |
| Honorarium | Biotronik |
| Honorarium | MicroPort |
| Honorarium | Terumo |
| Grants/research support | MicroPort |
| Grants/research support | Terumo |
Latest contributions
RESIL-Card in action: early European experience and lessons from the first users
19 May 2026 – From EuroPCR 2026
This session presents the early European experience with the RESIL-Card tool, designed to optimize interventional cardiology care pathways during crises. It includes practical insights from early adopters, updates on dissemination efforts across Europe, strategies for engaging patients and organizations, and discussions on national and EU political...
The Physiology Course - Introduction
18 May 2026 – From EuroPCR 2026
The Physiology Course introduction welcomes participants and provides an overview of the importance of coronary physiology, outlining the program designed in collaboration with EuroPCR.
Main vessel stenting in DK-Crush: lessons from stepwise provisional strategy
- Optimisation of side branch stenting
- How to optimally deploy the second stent
Commented by Goran Stankovic and William Wijns
Part 3 of a 3-part series. Previous episode: How to correct incomplete crush and how to prevent lack of carina coverage
DK Crush like you’ve never seen it before
- Multi-modality simulation to unveil the hidden parts & small obstacles that can result in complications
- Angioscopy directly inside the coronary artery to provide a better understanding of 3D stent configuration
Commented by Goran Stankovic and William Wijns
Part 1 of a 3-part series.
Next episode: How to correct incomplete crush and...
Closing Ceremony
28 Feb 2026 – From Euro4C Annual Meeting 2026
The closing ceremony marks the conclusion of the conference, providing a summary of key learnings, acknowledgments, and final reflections on the advancements and discussions presented throughout the event.
ResilCard - A resilience assessment tool to ensure cardiovascular care continuity during crises
28 Feb 2026 – From Euro4C Annual Meeting 2026
Introducing ResilCard, a novel resilience assessment tool designed to maintain continuity of cardiovascular care during crises. This session highlights the importance of preparedness and adaptive strategies to ensure uninterrupted patient management in challenging healthcare environments.
The most impactful trials of 2025
10 Dec 2025 – From GulfPCR-GIM 2025
Review the most impactful cardiovascular intervention trials anticipated in 2025, analyzing their methodology and clinical applicability. This session facilitates understanding how emerging evidence can be integrated into daily interventional cardiology practice.
PCR: Collaborative, inclusive and global
15 Nov 2025 – From PCR London Valves 2025
At PCR, collaboration and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do.
Together, we create an environment where expertise is shared, talents complement each other, and diversity becomes a strength. It is this collective spirit that drives interventional cardiology forward and inspires innovation every day.
During PCR London...
PCR: a home for everyone in the field of interventional cardiology
12 Oct 2025
In July 2025, a unilateral decision of the ESC closed a chapter on nearly two decades of successful collaboration between ESC-EAPCI and PCR-Europa - a partnership first established in 2006 and most recently renewed in 2023.
PCR – Innovation in Education since 1989
23 Sep 2025
Travel back in time, all the way to 1977 and the birth of Interventional Caridology. Then read about how PCR first began and how it has changed, moved and developed over the last 30 years...
EuroPCR 2025 Closing Ceremony
23 May 2025 – From EuroPCR 2025
Conclude your conference experience with the EuroPCR 2025 Closing Ceremony, celebrating the achievements, innovations, and advancements presented throughout the event, and setting the stage for future developments in interventional cardiology.
PCR's Got Talent Award, best abstract & best case Awards
23 May 2025 – From EuroPCR 2025
Celebrate the outstanding achievements recognized at PCR's Got Talent Award, highlighting the best abstracts and cases from the conference, showcasing innovation and excellence in interventional cardiology.
How to correct incomplete crush and how to prevent lack of carina coverage
- Differentiating between complete and incomplete crush
- The importance of sequential crush and bigger balloons, adequately sized according to proximal vessel diameter
Commented by Goran Stankovic and William Wijns
Part 2 of a 3-part series:
Previous episode: DK Crush like you’ve never seen it before
Coming up next: Main vessel stenting in DK-Crush, lessons...
Andreas Grüntzig Ethica Award
22 May 2025 – From EuroPCR 2025
Recognize excellence in interventional cardiology with the prestigious Andreas Grüntzig Ethica Award. This session honors outstanding contributions and ethical standards that advance the field and improve patient care worldwide.
PCR meets China: great innovations and novel trials
21 May 2025 – From EuroPCR 2025
Join this session to explore innovative coronary and valvular device developments originating from China. Learn about the clinical relevance and global impact of these domestic innovations, and engage in knowledge exchange with Chinese colleagues, celebrating longstanding collaboration in cardiology.
How a new generation of coronary sinus reducer can significantly expand treatment options for patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction
21 May 2025 – From EuroPCR 2025
Discover the latest on managing coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) with insights from EuroPCR 2025. This session explores how physiology testing helps identify CMD endotypes in the cathlab and highlights the limitations of ETT for patients experiencing angina or dyspnea at rest. Learn about the A-FLUX coronary...
2025 Andreas Grüntzig Ethica Award presented to Lars Wallentin and Stefan James on behalf of Swedish cardiovascular registry experts
20 May 2025
The Andreas Grüntzig Ethica Award is traditionally given to those who have contributed in an extraordinary way to the PCR mission, that of serving the needs of patients by sharing knowledge, experience and practice in cardiovascular interventional medicine.
EuroPCR 2025: Cutting through the complexity
20 May 2025
Complexity is the fil rouge of this year’s course but what does it mean to the Course Directors? And how can EuroPCR help participants cut through the complexity?
Personalised Vascular Care Award - Competition
20 May 2025 – From EuroPCR 2025
Celebrate innovation in personalised vascular care through this award competition session. Presentations cover topics including coronary revascularisation decision-making, INOCA prevalence, endothelial shear stress, bifurcation stenting predictors, CT plaque analysis, and early STEMI discharge protocols.
Welcome to EuroPCR 2025
20 May 2025 – From EuroPCR 2025
Welcome to EuroPCR 2025, the premier event for interventional cardiology innovation and education, where leaders and professionals gather to shape the future of cardiovascular care.
Resilience and continuity of cardiovascular care in times of crises: the RESIL-Card project
20 May 2025 – From EuroPCR 2025
Reflect on cardiovascular care resilience during crises with insights from the RESIL-Card project initiated by the PCR community. This session shares lessons from the pandemic, presents the development of a novel resilience assessment tool, and outlines future timelines to better prepare cardiac care systems for upcoming...
EuroPCR 2025: RESIL-Card achieves a major milestone - The resilience tool is ready for pilot testing!
20 May 2025
Launched in December 2023 by our community through the ‘We CARE Alliance’ and co-funded by the EU4Health work programme, the mission of the RESIL-Card project is to ensure that essential healthcare services for people with cardiovascular (CV) diseases are maintained during crises. Specifically, the project aims to...
The Jon DeHaan Foundation Award competition
19 May 2025 – From EuroPCR 2025
Witness innovation in action at the Jon DeHaan Foundation Award competition featuring groundbreaking technologies like synchronized diaphragmatic stimulation for heart failure and novel devices for aortic bioprosthesis and interatrial shunting.
EuroPCR 2025 – The place to share solutions
07 May 2025
The annual World-Leading Course in interventional cardiovascular medicine is the official meeting of the European Association for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI). Thousands of participants will once again be gathering to share their knowledge, skills and experience on 20-23 May 2025, at the Palais des Congrès in...
Personalised Vascular Care Award - Competition
16 May 2024 – From EuroPCR 2024
This session features a competition for the Personalised Vascular Care Award, showcasing selected abstracts on various aspects of personalised vascular care. The presentations cover topics such as the evaluation of myocardial bridges, the relationship between IMR and FFR, the use of contrast-derived indices of coronary microvascular...
Personalised Vascular Care Award ceremony
16 May 2024 – From EuroPCR 2024
This session is the Personalised Vascular Care Award ceremony, sponsored by Abbott. The objectives and details of this session are not provided, as it is likely an event to recognize and celebrate achievements in the field of personalized vascular care.
Equity in STEMI management: bridging gaps in STEMI care for women
15 May 2024 – From EuroPCR 2024
This joint session with the Stent - Save a Life! initiative focuses on the unique challenges in STEMI diagnosis and management for women. It explores different pathological processes resulting in STEMI and STEMI mimics in women, and discusses optimal management techniques. The session features perspectives from...
First-in-man and out-of-the-box innovations hotline
15 May 2024 – From EuroPCR 2024
This session showcases a variety of first-in-man and innovative technologies in the field of interventional cardiology. Presentations will cover topics such as NeuroOCT (nOCT) for intracranial imaging, the BackBeat system for atrio-ventricular interval modulation, renal stimulation with direct wire pacing, the TIVUS system for renal denervation,...
Artificial intelligence-powered quantification of coronary physiology and vulnerable plaque: opportunities for novel treatment options
15 May 2024 – From EuroPCR 2024
In this session, uncover new data on Murray-law based quantitative flow ratio (muFR) assessment, providing a comprehensive understanding of PCI outcomes from a single angiographic view, explore the innovative application of artificial intelligence in identifying vulnerable plaque and assessing hemodynamic stenosis significance through the analysis of...
Jon DeHaan Foundation Award ceremony
14 May 2024 – From EuroPCR 2024
This session is the Jon DeHaan Foundation Award ceremony, recognizing and celebrating outstanding achievements in the field of interventional cardiology.
