The Dutch Heart Foundation (Hartstichting) has granted over €3 million in Dekker grants to eight leading researchers supporting innovative studies on cardiovascular diseases. These grants aim to accelerate research and improve treatment options for the 650 daily hospital admissions and over 100 daily deaths due to cardiovascular conditions in the Netherlands. Here are the eight awarded projects.
Why this is important:
About 1.5 million people in the Netherlands suffer from chronic cardiovascular disease. In most cases, this is due to atherosclerosis – also known as calcification of the arteries. Hartstichting wants to help researchers develop new solutions.
Researching atherosclerosis
Among the recipients is Dr. Marten Hoeksema from Amsterdam UMC, who will delve into the intricacies of atherosclerosis. This condition, characterized by fatty deposits and inflammatory cells in the arteries, is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. Hoeksema’s research focuses on foam cells, large white blood cells that try to clear fats from arterial plaques but can turn into inflammatory cells, exacerbating plaque instability. Hoeksema aims to uncover the genetic switches within our DNA that activate inflammation in these foam cells. By identifying these switches, he hopes to develop targeted drugs to curb inflammation, potentially preventing heart attacks and strokes.
Addressing aortic dissection risks
Dr. Nimrat Grewal from UMC Utrecht focuses on preventing aortic dissections, a condition where the inner layer of the aorta tears, often fatal without emergency surgery. Grewal’s approach involves comparing the DNA of healthy individuals with those experiencing aortic issues to better predict risks. “The diameter alone doesn’t tell us how strong the aorta is,” Grewal explains, emphasizing the need for comprehensive genetic insights.
Early detection of cognitive impairments
At UMC Utrecht, Dr. Nick Weaver is pioneering research to identify early signs of cognitive impairment in stroke patients. With over 50% of stroke survivors facing hidden symptoms like memory loss and language difficulties, and one-third developing dementia within five years, Weaver’s work is crucial. He analyzes brain scans of nearly 3,000 patients to create a predictive model for those at high risk. “My goal is for this model to accurately predict who will develop these symptoms,” Weaver states.
Gender-specific heart failure treatment
Dr. Sophie Bots, also from UMC Utrecht, is investigating the differing effects of heart failure medications on men and women. Women are twice as likely to experience severe side effects from these drugs, leading to higher hospitalization rates. Bots aims to reanalyze existing study data by gender and utilize large patient data sets to refine treatment guidelines. “Many heart failure studies don’t adequately separate the effects and side effects for men and women,” Bots notes.
Predicting cardiac arrest risk
Dr. Matthijs Cluitmans from Maastricht UMC+ is exploring a detailed ECG imaging technique to predict cardiac arrest risk in heart attack patients. Using 200 sensors compared to the usual 10, Cluitmans can map the heart’s electrical activity with high precision. This data, combined with personalized computer models, aims to identify those at high risk for cardiac arrest post-heart attack. “If we can pinpoint these abnormalities with ECG imaging, we might apply this knowledge to standard ECGs, enhancing early detection,” Cluitmans explains.
Diabetes and atrial fibrillation
Dr. Deli Zhang’s research at Maastricht UMC+ focuses on why 1 in 6 diabetes patients develop atrial fibrillation, a condition that significantly increases stroke risk. Zhang studies the malfunctioning mitochondria in diabetic heart cells, which lead to energy deficits and fat accumulation. “Understanding these processes can help us intervene and halt disease progression,” Zhang states.
Improving pediatric heart surgery
Dr. Friso Rijnberg is tackling issues in pediatric heart surgery for children with single ventricle hearts. These children often undergo multiple surgeries before age 4 to avoid mixing oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. Rijnberg is developing an expandable tube that grows with the child, reducing the need for repeated surgeries and preventing complications like liver and kidney damage. “Ideally, we want a permanent solution, so one surgery suffices,” Rijnberg emphasizes.
Targeting inflammatory cells
Dr. Marie Depuydt from Leiden University studies T-cells that exacerbate arterial calcification by triggering inflammation, leading to plaque rupture and subsequent heart attacks. By understanding these inflammatory pathways, Depuydt aims to develop interventions that prevent plaque rupture, reducing the incidence of heart attacks and strokes.
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