Get Hands-On with EVST: Training, Triathlon & The Ultimate Duel
Are you ready to get your hands into vascular surgery?
The European Vascular Surgery Trainees (EVST) are bringing an action-packed, interactive programme to ESCVS 2026. Designed for medical students, surgical residents, and young specialists, these sessions move beyond traditional lectures to focus on real-world practice. Whether you are looking for your first hands-on experience with vascular tools, ready to test your clinical limits in a multi-station triathlon, or excited to witness the ultimate rapid-fire knowledge battle on the main stage—the EVST programme has a challenge waiting for you.
Explore the sessions below, find your level, and join the action.
SPEED — Vascular Surgery for Medical Students
A fast-paced, interactive introduction to vascular and cardiothoracic surgery designed specifically for medical students.
The session combines short, experience-based talks from young surgeons with hands-on practical training. Participants will hear about life as a cardiovascular surgery resident, career pathways, and the reality of performing a first open and first endovascular case.
The practical component introduces basic vascular suturing, anastomotic techniques, endovascular tools and devices through supervised training stations.
No previous vascular surgery experience is required.
📅 September 17th 15:00-16:30 & 18th 13:30-15:00
👥 Limited to 15 students per session
EVST VASCULAR TRIATHLON
The EVST Vascular Triathlon is a practical and clinical competition for vascular surgery residents and young specialists under 35.
Competitors rotate through five stations, each testing a different aspect of vascular surgical practice: EVAR planning, endovascular device deployment, open vascular anastomosis, clinical decision-making in an evolving on-call scenario, and rapid-fire guideline knowledge.
Each station is scored using a standardized 20-point assessment, for a maximum qualifying score of 100 points.
The competition is designed to reward not only technical ability and knowledge, but also accuracy, clinical judgment, troubleshooting and safe decision-making.
The highest-scoring competitors advance to the Last Man Standing final.
📅 18th of September 9:00 – 12:30
👥 Residents & young specialists <35
