Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular failure is the most frequent cause of hospitalization in Western societies. We work toward preventing and curing cardiovascular diseases. Read about our activities and insights on cardiovascular diseases.

October 28, 2024
Study quantifies impact of rapid first shock after cardiac arrest It is well known that acting quickly in the event of a cardiac arrest is important, but what does a quick initial shock with a defibrillator mean exactly for patients' chances of survival? Researchers from Amsterdam UMC analysed the data of 3723 patients who had a cardiac arrest outside the hospital and concluded that for the first shock, every minute reduces the chance of survival by 6%. The results of this research were published in the journal Circulation.
- Cardiovascular Diseases
September 2, 2024
Digital consultations improve the rate at which patients receive optimal medication Patients with heart failure, a condition affecting more than 60 million worldwide, are four times more likely to receive the optimal combination of medications after 12 weeks of digital consultations. Researchers from five Dutch hospitals, coordinated by Amsterdam UMC, found that the use of digital consults improved care while maintaining patient satisfaction. These results are published today in Nature Medicine and simultaneously presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Cardiology.
- Cardiovascular Diseases
August 8, 2024
Amsterdam UMC starts national study to reduce risk of recurrence of a heart attack Every year, more than 30,000 people in the Netherlands end up in hospital after a heart attack. Some of them have had a heart attack before. There are several medications available that can reduce the risk of a new heart attack, but they are currently not used optimally. In Amsterdam UMC a major study has just begun with the goal of developing a renewed preventive approach.
- Cardiovascular Diseases
July 19, 2024
European first: Double wireless pacemaker implanted at Amsterdam UMC Amsterdam UMC’s Heart Center has completed the first implantation of a double wireless pacemaker took place in a patient in Europe. Cardiologist Louise Olde Nordkamp and professor Reinoud Knops installed the new system, which consists of two mini pacemakers, one in the front of the atrium and one in the front of the ventricle, which communicate with each other via electrical pulses.
- Cardiovascular Diseases
July 9, 2024
Anxiety and depression a more common consequence of cardiac arrest for women than for men. Cardiac arrests affect around 350,000 people in Europe each year with less than 20% surviving an out of hospital cardiac arrest. Research from Amsterdam UMC shows that women who survive consequently have greater rates of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, both men and women are affected by negative population-wide changes in socioeconomic status as they age. Suggesting more support is necessary for those who have suffered a cardiac arrest. These results are published today in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality & Outcomes.
- Public Health
- Cardiovascular Diseases
May 21, 2024
Modular Communicative Leadless ICD is safe and exceeds performance expectations Wireless implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) eliminate the lead-related complications that come with a wired ICD, but they are unsuitable for patients with ventricular tachycardia, when the heart beats too quickly, or bradycardia, when the resting heart rate is seen as low. Research led by Amsterdam UMC, that is published today in the New England Journal of Medicine, shows that the first wireless modular system suitable for these patient groups is safe and exceeds performance expectations. Opening the door for a wider roll-out.
- Cardiovascular Diseases
February 15, 2024
Amsterdam UMC to use e-health tool to remotely monitor heart patients at home From today, patients and doctors at Amsterdam UMC's Heart Centre can make use of the app HartWacht (HeartGuard, in English) to supplement their care. Through the use of a small measurement instrument, around the size of a cereal bar, and a mobile app, patients can now have their blood pressure and arrythmias monitored at home. This means that patients need to visit their cardiologist less frequently. For doctors, this means they have more precise measurements and can act quicker where necessary. A ''win-win'' in the eyes of Michiel Winter, cardiologist at Amsterdam UMC and leader of this project.
- Patient care
- Cardiovascular Diseases
September 7, 2023
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.
- Movement & Sports
- Cardiovascular Diseases
August 25, 2023
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."
- Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular Diseases

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