Student internships: Sofia Andreea Dragu and Saida Rodionova

Third-year medical students Sofia Andreea Dragu and Saida Rodionova from the University of Navarra, Spain, completed an internship at the General University Hospital of Patras, Greece, under the supervision of Prof. Karnabatidis and Prof. Katsanos.

by Sofia Andreea Dragu and Saida Rodionova

Thanks to CIRSE, we had an insightful opportunity to observe a variety of interventional radiology treatments at the General University Hospital of Patras.

We observed endovascular angioplasties for both dialysis fistulas and peripheral arterial disease in the operating rooms. The IR team utilized a large range of different tools, balloons, and stents to provide the best possible outcomes for their patients.

We were not only involved in neurological interventions (e.g., treating subarachnoid haemorrhages using coils) but also nephrological cases (e.g., placing and changing nephrostomy systems).

A day in the hospital

Furthermore, we attended the 2026 EVA meeting on the endovascular management of haemodialysis AV access. This experience exposed us to the upcoming trials as well as new products in the field but also showcased how intertwined interventional radiology is with distinct specialties.

Endovascular (EVA) Meeting 2026 in Patras, Greece

Overall, the entire interventional radiology team in Patras has been welcoming, kind, and the time we spent with them was valuable and informative. They were making sure that we understand the interventions and every step of the way.

During the internship, we felt as if we were not just medical students visiting the department, but rather as a part of the team. We are especially grateful to Professor Karnabatidis and Professor Katsanos, and their team: Dr. Marios Platon Dimopoulos, Dr. Nikos Giannikas, Dr. Evangelia Christodoulou, Dr. Michail Theofanis, and many others. Their dedication to the field has undoubtedly fostered passion for interventional radiology for both of us.

In the photo from left to right: Dr. Marios-Platon Dimopoulos, Sofia-Andreea Dragu, Dr. Christos Papageorgiou, Saida Rodionova, Dr. Vasiliki Taki, Dr. Michael Theofanis, Prof. Dimitrios Karnabatidis, and Dr. Georgios Kolettis.