Since 2018, the Dutch CardioVascular Alliance (DCVA) has been working towards an ambitious goal: reducing the cardiovascular disease burden by 25% in 2030. Using a Health Technology Assessment, the role and potential impact of the activities within DCVA consortia were evaluated. This analysis, recently accepted for publication, shows that activities within DCVA consortia are already making a substantial contribution toward this target.

Significant impact demonstrated
The DCVA supports consortia in which collaborations between multiple research institutes, public and private organizations create a national network around specific cardiovascular themes. Part of the consortia were initiated by DCVA partners before the establishment of the DCVA and are now strengthened by its network. In other consortia, the DCVA's connecting role has been crucial in their creation. Consortia supported by DCVA are interdisciplinary and include multiple research institutes. The Dutch Heart Foundation is the main funder of the consortia. NWO-TTW, ZonMw and private partners also important funders of these consortia

This analysis assessed the impact of 32 DCVA consortia and conducted a quantitative evaluation of four representative projects: Check@Home, LoDoCo2, IMPRESS, and CONTRAST 2.0. Together, these four projects are estimated to generate 8,494 additional quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) between 2023 and 2030.

The broader analysis shows that nearly all consortia (97%) focus on reducing morbidity, while two-thirds (66%) also aim to reduce mortality. The consortia cover a wide range of clinical areas, from diagnostics and secondary prevention to treatment and monitoring. An exploratory analysis suggests that the combined activities have the potential to achieve up to 78% of the targeted reduction in cardiovascular disease burden.

From theory to practice
This analysis demonstrates that – if the current large research programs are executed as planned and implement their results into daily practice –a substantial contribution towards reducing cardiovascular burden is made and that collaboration pays off. However, translating theory into practice is challenging. That is why 25 organizations are working together within the DCVA: not only to support research, but also to ensure that new knowledge and innovations are brought into practice.

Building together for impact
The results confirm alongside research, key tasks remain in valorization, implementation, data infrastructure, public affairs, and talent development. Only when new insights and innovations are embedded in guidelines and care processes will the true impact for patients be realized.

This analysis shows the importance of the DCVA network to support our partners and projects to fulfil their impact potential. Only when we are successful together in bridging the gap from science to clinical practice, we can achieve impact on the cardiovascular disease burden.

For the full study and detailed findings, read the article here.