Charles Agyemang elected to the US National Academy of Medicine Charles Agyemang, Professor of Global Migration, Ethnicity & Health, has been invited to join the US National Academy of Medicine. Making him one of only 6 current members in the Netherlands and the second from Amsterdam UMC, after the late Henk Lamberts.
Approaches to elderly care vary greatly across Europe For elderly patients receiving care at home there are a myriad of interventions, from doctor's visits to the use of technological interventions. Research from Amsterdam UMC, together with universities from five European countries, shows that the use of these interventions varies greatly across the continent. Emiel Hoogendijk, assistant professor at Amsterdam UMC, believes that these discrepancies demonstrate the need for a "collective European approach".
Lasker Award for Piet Borst Piet Borst, emeritus professor of clinical biochemistry and molecular biology at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Amsterdam, has received 2023 Lasker-Koshland Special Achievement Award in Medical Science. He receives this 'American Nobel Prize' thanks to his numerous scientific discoveries in the field of cancer.
Elite athletes safely return to sports after COVID-19 Heart problems after a COVID infection are a serious concern for both elite athletes and recreational athletes alike. A study from Amsterdam UMC, published today in Heart, offers some reassuring news. "We examined over 250 elite athletes and found that those who had contracted COVID-19 did not experience severe heart issues that impacted their careers," says Juliette van Hattum, a PhD candidate in sports cardiology at Amsterdam UMC.
Home-monitoring during IVF equally safe and successful Home monitoring of ovulation prior to placing frozen embryos during an IVF process works just as well as hospital checks to determine the best time. In addition, it is more pleasant for women to undergo this in their own environment, and it places less burden on the hospital facilities. "Monitoring ovulation at home means a hospital visit once for the placement of these embryos instead of 3 to 4 times for hospital monitoring. This is more sustainable and reduces the cost of treatment by up to 80%," says Tijtske Zaat, researcher at Amsterdam UMC. The study was published today in The Lancet.
Building models to enable greater use of AI in the health care system 80% of all patient data is unstructured. Notes from a conversation with a GP, the evaluation of a specialist in a university medical centre or even a recommendation from a pharmacist. While this 'unstructured’ data is no problem for the human eye, it presents an unsurmountable challenge to an AI-algorithm. One that is "preventing AI from reaching its full potential," in the view of Amsterdam UMC, Assistant Professor Iacer Calixto. To give AI the helping hand that it needs, Calixto is set to lead a project that will "tackle the important challenges that hinder its use in clinical practice,” thanks to funding from the NWO.
Turn up the heat: Amsterdam UMC wins sustainability prices Eight of Amsterdam UMC's departments and laboratories participated in the international Freezer Challenge this year. Combined they have saved enough energy to power 381 households. An impressive result that is rewarded with the 'Top Clinical Organization Award' and illustrates just how valuable sustainability is, in health care.
Signing off with the Gold: ESC honour for Arthur Wilde After an impressive career, cardiologist and professor Arthur Wilde is retiring. He was at the cradle of cardiogenetics and left his mark on cardiac care in Amsterdam UMC as head of the Cardiology department (location AMC). Today he receives the Gold Medal, the European Cardiology Society's highest award. A crowning achievement, but the pioneer does not want to talk about quitting: "We are not there yet."
Athletes have no reason to be concerned by their COVID-19 vaccine this winter but timing matters It is now almost a rule of thumb: As soon as an athlete falls to the ground with a sudden cardiac arrest, social media is awash with claims that COVID-19 vaccinations are to blame. This was the case with English footballer Charlie Wyke, cyclist Sonny Colbrelli and, most recently, with college basketballer, and son of LeBron, Bronny James. In the view of Harald Jorstad, Sports Cardiologist at Amsterdam UMC, there is no evidence to support these claims, but timing of the vaccination can be structured to not negatively influence performance. This article is, today, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Using radiotherapy to treat cardiac arrhythmia Targeted irradiation of scar tissue in the heart can help patients with life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias by removing their symptoms for a longer period in comparison with the current treatment. Amsterdam UMC's Heart Center is one of Europe's only centres where this innovative treatment is practised.
