The prize is awarded to non-commercial projects for clinical research in the field of cardiovascular pathology.

The research must be centred on the patients and aimed to determine the role of medication, intervention, diagnosis, symptoms or prevention in the physiological or pathological processes of the cardiovascular system.

In GEN@HEART, we're studying how genes impact heart size, exercise capacity, and cardiac fitness. We're comparing highly trained athletes with those along the heart failure continuum. Despite similar exercise, some excel, others face heart issues. We suspect genes play a role. We aim to understand if specific genes related to heart size affect fitness. Studying 281 athletes and 312 heart failure patients, we'll explore this question and if certain genes could lead to better exercise responses.

In this randomized trial, we aim to evaluate the effect of novel conduction system pacing (CSP) versus conventional right ventricular apical pacing on exercise capacity in patients with heart failure (HF) and concomitant conduction system disorders. We hypothesize that CSP improves exercise capacity measured by peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) as well as other markers of HF severity. The project will also provide deeper physiological insight into the mechanisms of VO2peak improvement by CSP.

To date, most patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) can survive into adulthood. However, survivors often develop morbidities that suggest accelerated aging. We aim to quantify and understand disparities in chronological and biological age and to scrutinize the role of retinal imaging as clinical tool. We enrol 315 patients, in whom retinal fundus scan and biomarkers will be obtained. Predictors of aging are determined using medical records and a life history calendar .

Acute myocarditis (AM) is an inflammatory heart disease. Symptoms vary from mild symptoms to heart failure and life-threatening arrhythmias. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) may occur up to years after initial presentation. To date, there are no reliable tools for SDC risk prediction or need for a prophylactic implantable cardioverter defibrillator. This project will evaluate the value of 7-day ECG monitoring for risk prediction in AM, comparing 24-hour Holter and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a life-threatening condition, usually needing a implantable cardioverter defibrillator in combination with antiarrhytmic drugs and catheter ablation. However, not all patients benefit from these standard therapies. Within a multicentric study, we aim to determine the feasibility, safety and efficacy of cardiac stereotactic body irradiation for patients with ventricular tachycardia who are no (longer) candidates for standard therapies.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized cancer treatment. Recent reports suggest a threefold increased risk in acute coronary syndromes upon ICI treatment, which is relevant since indications increase. This project studies the Belgian situation, where 30000 patients received ICI treatment. Data will be provided by the Intermutualistisch Agentschap – Agence Intermutualiste (IMA-AIM), Statbel and the Belgian Cancer Registry and focus on revascularizations, and cardiovascular death.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a cardiac arrythmia in which the atria of the heart (front chambers of the heart) lose their ability to contract in synchrony with the heart. This results in an irregular heartbeat. AF is the most common cardiac arrythmia and is important because it is associated with negative outcomes such as heart failure, stroke and mortality.

Up to 60% of patient who underwent cardiac surgery develop AF. Post-operative atrial fibrillation is known as POAF. Often this arrythmia occurs in episodes which start and cease spontaneously. These episodes can remain undetected as they are often asymptomatic. In hospital the heart rhythm is monitored for arrythmias. But to date there is no rhythm surveillance at home after discharge.

Rhythm surveillance after discharge from cardiac surgery will enable early POAF detection which leads to three major benefits. At first, patient with POAF can be treated with blood thinners to reduce stroke risk. Secondly, early detection of AF enables early rhythm control which is associated with superior outcomes. Thirdly, patients often develop POAF as a result of an underlying substrate. After cardiac surgery the underlying substrate is often a post-operative adverse event. By monitoring for POAF we will simultaneously be monitoring for post-operative adverse events enabling earlier detection and treatment of post-operative adverse events.

In the SURGICAL-AF 2 trial we will monitor the heart rhythm after discharge in patients who underwent cardiac bypass surgery or surgery of the heart valves. Monitoring will be performed using a smartphone application. The patient can analyze his or her heart rhythm simply by placing a finger on the smartphone camera. An automatic algorithm will provide feedback to the patient. When an abnormal rhythm is detected an early follow up visit shall be organized. This surveillance strategy provides a reliable, patient centred and cost-effective post-operative rhythm monitoring for POAF.

The SURGICAL-AF 2 study will evaluate if post-operative rhythm monitoring is better than the classical follow-up. It investigates the incidence of POAF and the effect of POAF surveillance on therapy changes, readmissions and healthcare related quality of life. It the SURGICAL-AF 2 trial is successful, the study will also investigate a potential effect on long term stroke occurrence and mortality.

Preeclampsia (PE) is characterized by hypertension and organ-damage during pregnancy. Moreover, it has been shown that PE is a systemic disease affecting blood vessel function in the whole body with considerable risk for future cardiovascular disease. Therefore, there is a need for specialized Women’s Heart Clinics, where a multidisciplinary approach is adopted in the referral, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of these patients. Currently, in PE patients, there is an unmet need of preventive measures to prevent 1) PE recurrence and 2) the development of cardiovascular disease later in life. With this project, we hypothesize that exercise training during pregnancy minimizes the risk of PE recurrence and long-term risk for cardiovascular disease through improved vascular health.