In light of the first DCVA call ‘Heart for sustainable care’, six research teams received a total of over five million euros for research into the use of new technology against cardiovascular diseases.
The innovations will allow for earlier detection and better and faster treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The technology used will also reduce the deployment of healthcare providers, so that care for cardiovascular patients remains affordable and sustainable in the future.
Multidisciplinary research groups
The six research groups consist of a variety of experts, such as scientists, healthcare providers, companies and patients. During the entire process, all participants contribute by thinking from their own perspectives, for example about privacy and ease of use. This ensures that the final products are actually used in practice.
First concrete output
Thanks to the efforts and financial resources of the Dutch Heart Foundation (€2.5 million), ZonMw and NWO-TTW (€2.5 million together), the DCVA, together with the Innovative Medical Devices Initiative (IMDI), launched its first call last January. This is the first concrete output of the DCVA-ambition to lower the cardiovascular disease burden with 25% by 2030. The call is directly in line with our strategy, focusing on the earlier detection or earlier recognition of (aggravation of) cardiovascular diseases and the objectives of IMDI, focused on medical technology which enables healthcare that is affordable and sufficiently staffed.
Game prevents falling after stroke
The team of Dr. Vivian Weerdesteyn (Radboudumc Nijmegen) is developing a new game with allows patients to exercise their balance at home after a stroke. The objective of this project is to reduce the frequency of falling, so that patients can live more independently.
Smart camera warns of acute heart problem
A smart camera that monitors hospital patients and sounds the alarm for sudden heart problems. That is what Prof. Jan Bergmans (TU Eindhoven) and his team will develop and test in the coming years. At present, the health of patients in normal nursing wards is not constantly monitored. Too often, patients get acute heart disease and die. The smart camera should prevent this.
Phone recognizes heart disease from ECG
New technology for mobile telephones should be able to assess ECG’s as well as cardiologists can. Or maybe even better. The technology that Prof. Pieter Doevendans (UMC Utrecht) and his team are developing ensures that general practitioners and patients can see very reliably whether there is an acute heart disease. As a result, patients can be helped even faster when needed. And when nothing is wrong, unnecessary hospital visits are avoided.
Measure your heart rate at home after arrhythmia
Cardiologist Harry Crijns (Maastricht UMC +) and his team are developing a new system that patients can use to monitor their own heartbeat at home. They can send the measurement data day and night to their care provider, who can intervene if necessary. The goal: a personal treatment of atrial fibrillation, a common arrhythmia.
Sensor and app for better arm function after stroke
Dr. Johannes Bussmann (Erasmus MC) expects patients to be able to live more independently after a stroke if they train their arms at home with new technology. His team develops arm sensors and an app that allows you to exchange data with your healthcare provider.
Online clinic for hereditary heart diseases
Prof. Peter van Tintelen (UMC Utrecht) and his team are developing an online clinic that ensures that people with a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease are better informed of their risk. The goal is for more people to take timely measures to prevent or postpone illness.