More than 150 leading hepatologists, gastroenterologists, transplant surgeons, and medical faculty from India and abroad convened in Ahmedabad on Saturday for the second edition of REACH – Recent Advances and Controversies in Hepatology. The two-day academic conference, organised by Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad, is providing a robust platform for expert-led discussions on the evolving landscape of liver diseases, liver cancer, and liver transplantation.
Bringing together some of the finest minds in liver care, REACH 2025 is focusing on clinical innovation, emerging trends, and real-world challenges in hepatology. With a curated scientific programme featuring cutting-edge research, controversial treatment approaches, and consensus-building panels, the conference is spotlighting both current clinical realities and the future direction of liver care.
“This conference is a significant milestone for hepatology, especially with Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad, taking the lead in bringing global and regional experts together under one roof. The idea is to foster practical, evidence-based dialogue on pressing clinical issues in liver disease management while looking ahead to future innovations,” said Dr. Chirag Desai, Organising Chairman, REACH.
Key discussions in the conference cover a wide range of topics, including the use of artificial intelligence and mobile applications in hepatology, evolving strategies in anticoagulation for cirrhotic patients, and the management of sleep disturbances in chronic liver disease. Sessions are also exploring innovations such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided portal pressure measurements, treatment approaches to complex autoimmune liver conditions, and the role of frailty assessment in liver transplant evaluation.
In addition, interventional techniques such as balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO), coil-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (CARTO), plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO), and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) are being reviewed in depth. A dedicated session on acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is focusing on patient selection and transplant timing, reflecting the field’s movement toward more individualised care.
“REACH is an academic platform that not only unites experts but also propels conversations that directly impact patient outcomes. The focus this year is particularly forward-looking—touching upon technology integration, evolving clinical strategies, and personalised care models. Discussions are ranging from AI and mobile applications to advanced interventional techniques and transplant selection strategies, underlining the complexity and dynamism of liver care,” said Dr. Shravan Bohra, Organising Chairman, REACH.
“REACH serves as a vital academic platform to align clinical practices with fast-evolving science. These dialogues sharpen decision-making and encourage the integration of new ideas into patient care,” added Dr. Pathik Parikh, Organising Secretary, REACH.
Sharing an important local insights on the high burden of fatty liver disease in Gujarat, Dr Parikh said, “An estimated 30–50% of the Gujarati population may be living with fatty liver disease, diagnosed or otherwise”. He attributed this to a combination of genetic predisposition, dietary patterns, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity—all key contributors to liver dysfunction.
“Discussions on topics like AI, machine perfusion, genetic predisposition, dietary patterns, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity in liver disease, liver cancer, and liver transplant are going to take place. The conference is witnessing participation from national faculty from across the country, as well as international experts from the United Kingdom, Egypt, Italy, and Vietnam,” said Dr. Ankur Vagadia, Organising Secretary, REACH.