Three consortia involving CARIM researchers have been awarded grants by the Dutch Heart Foundation under the call for large consortia.

'Energetic Digital Heart Twin'
Prof. Joost Lumens is part of the project Energetic Digital Heart Twin, coordinated by Prof. Jolanda van der Velden (Amsterdam UMC Hartcentrum) and Prof. Natal van Riel (Eindhoven University of Technology). The project aims to find the best therapy for each heart failure patient using a digital twin that, for the first time, couples models of cardiac electromechanics with models of cardiac metabolism. This integration captures the balance between energy demand and supply at the patient-specific level. The Maastricht team contributes its expertise in electromechanical modeling to predict which medication will work best for each individual patient.

'FIXIT'

Prof. Leon de Windt is involved in the project FIXIT, coordinated together with Dr Jan Willem Buikema (Amsterdam UMC). The goal of this project is to develop a therapy that stimulates the heart to repair itself, allowing damaged heart muscle tissue to recover. After a heart attack, the heart is often permanently damaged: dead heart muscle cells are replaced by scar tissue that cannot contract. In the FIXIT study, researchers are developing a therapy that encourages the heart to regenerate lost muscle tissue and help prevent heart failure.

'PROGRESS-HCD'
Dr Job Verdonschot is part of the 'PROGRESS-HCD' consortium led by Prof. J. Peter van Tintelen (UMC Utrecht) and Prof. Corette Ploem (Amsterdam UMC). The aim of this project is to use DNA diagnostics more intelligently and more broadly to detect hereditary heart diseases at an earlier stage and to better predict who is at risk.

For more information about the projects: https://professionals.hartstichting.nl/actualiteiten/de-hartstichting-financiert-7-nieuwe-consortia-om-de-hart-en-vaatagenda-te-versterken