Research approaches Circulatory Health

This research approach aims to provide top-tier imaging services for cardiovascular patients by using guideline-recommended, state-of-the-art methods and developing new clinical imaging techniques. The focus includes common and rare cardiovascular diseases, as UMC Utrecht is a tertiary referral center. These diseases include ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathies, congenital heart disease, heart failure, aorta issues, complex peripheral arterial disease, brain aneurysms, strokes, and interactions between the heart, brain, and bones. Additionally, groups with high cardiovascular risk, such as women with reproductive disorders and healthy athletes, are studied. Emphasis is placed on creating fast, reliable, and comprehensive imaging methods, particularly new cardiac and vascular CT and MR imaging techniques and post-processing methods, to bring these advancements to clinical use.

Data, artificial intelligence and digital technology drive innovation in science. They make it possible to offer personalized care, both from a medical perspective and in terms of location. Data Science is going to have a huge impact on tomorrow’s healthcare. This science uses techniques, theories and models derived from different disciplines within the broad field of mathematics, statistics, information science and computer sciences. Machine learning, classification, cluster analysis, data and text mining, databases and visualization are of particular interest. The overall aim of Data Science is to extract scientific knowledge and insights from (both structured and unstructured) data and to apply this knowledge with impact in healthcare.

Cardiovascular genomics is the study of how genetic variations influence cardiovascular health and disease. It focuses on identifying genes associated with heart conditions like genetic cardiomyopathy,   coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias. By analyzing genetic information, researchers can uncover the underlying mechanisms of these diseases. This field aims to personalize medicine by linking genetic profiles to specific cardiovascular risks and treatment responses. Cardiovascular genomics also helps in the discovery of new drug targets and therapeutic approaches. It supports early diagnosis and the development of tailored prevention strategies. Integration of genomic data with clinical practice holds promise for improving patient outcomes. Advances in this field continue to enhance our understanding of cardiovascular health at a molecular level.

Local drug delivery refers to the administration of medications directly to a specific target site within the body, typically in close proximity to the area where the drug is needed. This method allows for a higher concentration of the drug to be delivered to the desired site while minimizing systemic exposure and potential side effects in other parts of the body.

Local drug delivery offers several advantages over systemic drug administration, including improved drug efficacy, reduced systemic side effects, and the ability to achieve therapeutic concentrations at the target site. Additionally, it can be particularly beneficial for treating conditions that are localized or difficult to reach using traditional oral or intravenous routes of administration.