Geriatrics and vascular disease

Research aim

Our aim is to improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for older patients with vascular disease, particularly patients with heart failure or vascular calcifications of the brain. We study optimalisation of pharmacotherapy and advanced therapies.

About us

Evidence for older patients, particularly when frail, is limited concerning optimal treatment of vascular disease. Through our research, we gain more insights in the most appropriate treatment for these patients. These insights are obtained by application of a comprehensive geriatric assessment and evaluation of outcomes relevant to frail older patients. Information from this assessment is used to characterize the study population of older patients with vascular disease, particularly those with heart failure, and to study the benefits and risks of optimalisation of pharmacotherapy and advanced therapies. These advanced therapies include interventions like a transaortic valve replacement and left ventricular assisted device. We also focus on optimalisation of treatment of patients with vascular calcification of the brain, particularly with Fahr’s disease. For these different patient groups with vascular disease, we aim for optimalisation of (pharmaco-)therapy and advance care planning.
We partner with many research groups, including groups of the cardiologists, radiologists and pharmacists.