| Research in ODP-32 revolves around five main themes: hypotension, hypertension, pregnancy-induced hypertension, systems physiology of cardiovascular control and development of finapres methods There is extensive cross-linking, information exchange and almost daily sharing of ideas and information between the members of this ODP. We regard it as a strength that research ranging from small-scale pathophysiology studies to major clinical trials is tied together in a fruitful way in this ODP. Hypotension senior investigators are dr Wouter Wieling and dr Han van Lieshout. The work of dr Wieling focuses on unexplained fainting. At present he runs a clinical trial (DUST: Dutch unexplained syncope trial). The aim is to establish an efficient and safe diagnostic strategy for this common medical problem. Tools studied for this purpose are diverse: both easy and cheap (history and physical exam), and new high-tech (the so-called REVEAL recorder). Dr Wieling is an internationally recognized expert on all aspects of fainting, with respect to patient care and research. The work of dr van Lieshout focuses on systemic and regional blood flow in syncope and on hypotension in critically ill patients. At present, together with Dr van Montfrans, he runs a study on the relationship between cerebral perfusion and blood pressure in stroke patients. Presently he starts a study on cerebrovascular hemodynamics and muscle oxygenation in chronic heart failure aimed at identifying parameters useful to guide treatment (CRIA Cluster II, Heart failure and ageing). Hypertension senior investigators are dr Gert van Montfrans and dr Richard Koopmans. The work of dr van Montfrans focuses on small clinical studies to elaborate various aspects of the treatment of hypertension. Dr van Montfrans is an internationally recognized expert on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. At present his research topics are the treatment of hypertension during the acute phase of stroke, and, secondly, the prevalence and relevance of so-called silent ischaemia in treated hypertensives. He has an interest in ethnic studies and genetics, and is actively involved in the research of dr Koopmans on these topics. The work of dr Koopmans focuses on the genetics of response to teatment in hypertension. At present he runs a clinical trial (ROTATIE) on the prediction of treatment response in three ethnic groups, using genetic tests. Pregnancy-induced hypertension senior investigators are dr Joris van de Post, dr Hans Wolf and dr Kees Boer. At present they run a large clinical trial (PETRA), in which women with pre-eclampsia are randomized between two treatment startegies: volume expansion in an intensive-care setting, or conservative treatment. Apart from the trial several small-scale pathophysiology studies are undertaken using ex-vivo patient tissue (vessels) and in-vivo ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The Department of Physiology participates in this ODP by senior investigator John M. Karemaker, Ph.D. and his research group. The focus of research is (computer-) modeling of human cardiovascular control. In addition they advise on analysis and interpretation of clinical recordings obtained by the other members of the ODP. |
