Cardiologist Linda van Laake and researcher Hester den Ruijter are launching a study into the causes of heart disease SCAD. Since SCAD has been minimally researched so far, its exact cause remains largely unknown. Through this international study, the researchers aim to further unravel the precise causes of the disease. The Heart Foundation has allocated 500.000 euro euros for this research.
SCAD (spontaneous coronary artery dissection) mainly affects relatively young women who have no known risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. In SCAD, the layers of a coronary artery separate, allowing blood to flow between them. This can lead to narrowing or even complete blockage of the blood vessel, potentially causing a heart attack. SCAD is often only diagnosed after patients have a heart attack. More research into the causes of SCAD is crucial for improving diagnosis and treatment.
An international team of researchers is combining their expertise to better understand SCAD. The team includes leading researchers: professor Linda van Laake and professor Hester den Ruijter from UMC Utrecht, and Nabila Bouatia-Naji (Paris) and Thorsten Kessler (Munich). They are conducting genetic research to identify hereditary risk factors and performing cell studies to examine how these factors affect the blood vessel walls. The researchers also aim to understand why women in particular have an increased risk of developing SCAD.
A unique opportunity in this study is the analysis of blood vessel tissue from SCAD patients. This tissue, partially obtained from donated hearts after transplantation (UNRAVEL Biobank),, is extremely rare and can offer valuable insights into the disease mechanisms of SCAD. Ultimately, this research could be an important step toward developing better diagnostic tools and treatments for SCAD.
Students are also contributing to SCAD research. Last year, during an Utrecht-based educational challenge, students from Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, and other disciplines—such as Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, and Medical Humanities—worked under professional guidance to explore the disease. The best idea is now being executed by students in UMC Utrecht’s Bachelor Research Hub.
