Dr. Amir Kovačević

Dr. Amir Kovačević is a senior neurologist at the Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo (KCUS) — Bosnia and Herzegovina's largest and most comprehensive academic medical institution. With 17 years of clinical neurology experience, he is one of Sarajevo's established neurologists managing stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and movement disorders.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a healthcare system that has rebuilt significantly since the 1990s conflict, and KCUS serves as the primary neurological referral center for the Federation. Dr. Kovačević has been part of the neurology department's development through this period, contributing to the establishment of the hospital's stroke unit and epilepsy monitoring program.

He completed his PhD at the University of Sarajevo with research on stroke outcomes in Bosnian patients and undertook advanced training in stroke management at a German university hospital during an EAN fellowship. He holds European Board of Neurology certification and is active in both EAN and the European Stroke Organisation, aligning his practice with current European guidelines.

Dr. Kovačević obtained his MD from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo. He completed his neurology residency at KCUS and earned his Specialty in Neurology through the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Ministry of Health certification process. His PhD in Neuroscience (2012) examined vascular risk factors and stroke recurrence in Bosnian patients.

Through an EAN fellowship program, he undertook advanced clinical training in stroke management and neuro-intensive care at a German university hospital. He holds the European Board of Neurology (EBN) certification, demonstrating mastery of neurology at European standards. He is a member of the Neurological Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Academy of Neurology, and the European Stroke Organisation.

Dr. Kovačević's neurological practice covers cerebrovascular disease, epilepsy, demyelinating disorders, movement disorders, and peripheral nervous system disease. In stroke management, he participates in KCUS's stroke unit, overseeing acute stroke assessment and thrombolysis with tPA for eligible ischemic stroke patients, and manages secondary stroke prevention.

In epilepsy, he performs and interprets EEG and video-EEG monitoring, prescribes anti-epileptic drugs, and evaluates refractory epilepsy for surgical candidacy. He manages multiple sclerosis with disease-modifying therapies including interferon beta, glatiramer acetate, and natalizumab. He performs lumbar puncture for CSF analysis and EMG/nerve conduction studies for peripheral neuropathy evaluation.

Dr. Kovačević consults in Bosnian, English, and German, making him accessible to the large Bosnian diaspora in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland who return to Sarajevo for neurological assessment. KCUS accepts patients from across the Western Balkans and coordinates second-opinion consultations for international patients.

Video consultations are available for neurological second opinions, MRI review, and medication management. Bosnia and Herzegovina offers accessible neurological specialist care at significantly lower cost than Western European countries. Dr. Kovačević regularly reviews brain and spine MRI reports for patients seeking second opinions from abroad.

Dr. Kovačević has been recognized by KCUS for his leadership in developing the hospital's stroke unit and epilepsy monitoring program. He holds European Board of Neurology certification and is an active EAN member, having presented research at EAN annual congresses on stroke outcomes in the Western Balkans. He serves as clinical faculty for neurology residents at the University of Sarajevo Faculty of Medicine and contributes to continuing medical education programs for neurologists across the Western Balkans region.