IMPRESS

2021

In the past decade, there has been significant progress in understanding sex- and gender-based differences in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, this knowledge remains scattered across medical literature, highlighting the need for a centralized platform accessible to healthcare professionals, scientists, policymakers, and patients. The IMPRESS consortium aims to establish a knowledge platform focused on gathering, summarizing, and prioritizing existing knowledge related to sex- and gender-specific aspects of CVD. This initiative seeks to promote the implementation of existing knowledge into clinical practice, identify knowledge gaps, and inform policymakers about areas requiring additional attention.

In substantial portions of women with symptoms of myocardial ischemia, obstructive disease in the epicardial coronary arteries is absent. Currently, such women undergo multiple diagnostic tests, which do not always result in a conclusive diagnosis. IMPRESS seeks to reduce missed and delayed diagnoses of heart diseases in women, improving cardiovascular care outcomes nationwide. The knowledge platform will serve as a national resource, fostering collaboration and supporting the adoption of sex- and gender-sensitive practices in cardiovascular medicine.


The Research

IMPRESS consolidates existing knowledge, fosters research, and implements findings into practice wherever possible (for example by creating a Decision Support Tool for primary care and for cardiologists). Within the IMPRESS consortium, the following studies are being conducted:

  • Delphi study: delayed or missed diagnosis of heart disease
  • Silent heart attacks: causes, symptoms, and risk factors of silent myocardial infarctions
  • UMCU-IMPRESS pilot study: undetected coronary microvascular disease (CMD)
  • Peripheral-Flow: LASCA technique in CMD
  • Dutch registry of coronary function tests

 

The origin

In the past decade, the understanding of sex- and gender differences in CVD has considerably improved. However, relevant evidence is scattered throughout the medical literature. There is a need to make this information easily accessible to health care professionals, scientists, policy makers and patients. Implementation of existing knowledge in clinical practice will then be promoted, knowledge gaps identified, and policy makers informed on the areas that need additional attention. This is also of high importance to the Dutch Heart Foundation, which therefore funded the IMPRESS consortium; a collaboration between several DCVA partners; the Nederlandse Vereniging voor Cardiologie (NVVC), WCN, Netherlands Heart Institute (NLHI), ZonMw and the Dutch Heart Foundation, supported by the DCVA.

 

Read More

Collaborators

Contact person:

Principal investigators

Read more

Phaedra-impact

2018
Pulmonary Hypertension (PH), particularly Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), presents a fatal complication in chronic diseases, affecting 1 in 50,000 individuals, predominantly at a young age and more often in females. The underlying genetic link involves mutations in the bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2) gene, disrupting BMP signaling. The PHAEDRA-IMPACT consortium aims to understand PH and PAH. The Research The research focuses on understanding PAH through the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling pathway, particularly influenced by mutations in the bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2) gene, prevalent in heritable and some non-hereditary PAH cases. The PHAEDRA initiative identified compounds that modulate the TGFβ/BMP balance, showing efficacy in restoring endothelial function and reversing pulmonary vascular remodeling in preclinical models, though not curing PAH, making early detection crucial. PHAEDRA has identified biomarkers for timely diagnosis and personalized treatment. PHAEDRA-IMPACT will enhance early detection using non-invasive risk assessments, imaging, and biomarker profiling to detect pre-capillary PH. Precision medicine will guide tailored therapies based on advanced imaging and biomarker analyses, addressing disease progression variability among predisposed individuals. Additionally, patient-derived induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells will be used in 3D culture models of lung and heart tissues to uncover PAH mechanisms and identify therapeutic targets. This comprehensive approach aims to advance our understanding of PAH pathogenesis, accelerate drug development, and enable personalized treatment and preventive strategies for individuals at risk or affected by PH. Origin This consortium was funded through the Impulse Grant program by the Dutch Heart Foundation.
Learn more

PREDICT 2

2019
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) remains a significant public health challenge, accounting for nearly 20% of all deaths in developed nations and approximately half of all heart disease-related fatalities. A notable subset of SCA cases occurs in individuals without prior heart disease diagnosis, resulting in profound psychosocial impacts on affected families and society. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is the primary arrhythmia leading to SCA, often occurring outside healthcare settings with survival rates ranging from 5% to 20%. Prevention is crucial, yet gaps in our understanding of SCA causes and mechanisms hinder effective prevention efforts. Various genetic and non-genetic factors, such as gender, age, comorbidities, and lifestyle, likely influence SCA risk, but their specific contributions remain unclear. The Focus The PREDICT2 initiative brings together leading Principal Investigators with expertise in epidemiology, clinical studies, genetics, and functional research to elucidate factors contributing to SCA, uncover underlying mechanisms, and develop strategies for prevention and treatment. The Research Building on foundational work from PREDICT1, which involved extensive patient characterization and preclinical model development, PREDICT2 focuses on inherited arrhythmia syndromes as models to understand the arrhythmogenic substrate in more common cardiac syndromes associated with SCA. Specifically, PREDICT2 aims to: Identify genetic and non-genetic factors that contribute to SCA risk and develop personalized risk prediction algorithms for individual patient assessment. Conduct functional studies to elucidate the mechanisms underlying SCA, enabling the development of novel risk stratification and therapeutic approaches. Implement clinical studies to evaluate risk prediction algorithms and therapeutic interventions, aiming to enhance the treatment and prevention of SCA. Origin This consortium was funded through the Impulse Grant program by the Dutch Heart Foundation.
Learn more
1 2 3 20

Looking for
Another item?

Back to overview
Newsletter
© 2024 Oscar Prent Assurantiën BV 
© 2025 | DCVA
Design & Bouw door: