Publicaties
Impact of the initial clinical presentation on the outcome of patients with infective endocarditis Vrije Universiteit Brussel
BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening disease. Despite advancements in diagnostic methods, the initial clinical presentation of IE remains a valuable asset. Therefore, the impact of clinical presentation on outcomes and its association with microorganisms and IE localization were assessed herein.
METHODS: This retrospective study included 183 patients (age 68.9 ± 14.2 years old, 68.9% men) with definite IE at ...
Impact of routine use of a cerebral protection device on the TAVR procedure and its short-term outcomes Vrije Universiteit Brussel
BACKGROUND: Stroke is a major concern in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The introduction of a cerebral protection devices may counteract the evolution towards minimally invasive TAVR. At this time, there is insufficient data to support the routine use of these devices.
METHODS: We aimed to evaluate the outcome of the routine use of the Sentinel Cerebral protection system® (CPS) in patients undergoing TAVR, after ...
SPECT-CCTA Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Combining myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT-MPI) and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is an interesting hybrid imaging option in modern cardiovascular medicine. The integrated hybrid technique has a number of advantages compared to visual side-by-side analysis of the separate modalities. CT attenuation map can correct for attenuation artefacts and thus improve the diagnostic accuracy of ...
Prediction of recurrent event in patients with coronary heart disease Vrije Universiteit Brussel Universiteit Gent
AIMS: Most patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) are at very high risk for developing recurrent events. Since this risk varies a lot between patients there is a need to identify those in whom an even more intensive secondary prevention strategy should be envisaged. Using data from the EUROASPIRE IV and V cohorts of coronary heart disease (CHD) patients from 27 European countries, we aimed at developing and ...
Use of cardiac telerehabilitation during COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium Vrije Universiteit Brussel Universiteit Antwerpen
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many cardiac rehabilitation centres to focus more on the remote delivery of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) components. This increased focus and the lessons learned from this period could enhance the implementation of telerehabilitation and increase the participation in CR in Belgium.
METHODS: We conducted a survey between April and May 2020 about the implementation of telerehabilitation ...
Feasibility and cost of FH cascade screening in Belgium (BEL-CASCADE) including a novel rapid rule-out strategy Vrije Universiteit Brussel KU Leuven
BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is underdiagnosed in most countries. We report our first experience from a national pilot project of cascade screening in relatives of FH patients.
METHODOLOGY: Participating specialists recruited consecutive index patients (IP) with Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) score ≥6. After informed consent, the relatives were visited by the nurses to collect relevant clinical data and perform ...
Sexual counselling in patients with heart failure Vrije Universiteit Brussel Universiteit Gent
BACKGROUND: Although heart failure (HF) patients often consider sexual activity as an essential aspect of their quality of life (QoL) and are usually uncertain if it is safe to perform sexual activity, this topic is overall poorly addressed in clinical practice.
AIMS: The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and practices of Flemish caregivers.
METHODS: Healthcare providers were recruited through convenience ...
A systematic literature review on the effects of exercise on human Toll-like receptor expression Vrije Universiteit Brussel
BACKGROUND: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of transmembrane pattern recognition receptors that are mainly expressed on immune cells. Recognition of various exogenous and endogenous molecular patterns activates the TLR signalling cascade, which orchestrates an inflammatory immune response. Dysfunctional immune responses, including aberrant TLR signalling, are increasingly implicated in the associations between sedentarism, chronic ...