Head of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
I am passionate about the validation of biomarkers and the translation of emerging technologies from laboratory medicine into care practices. The diagnosis and management of heart failure rely on laboratory tests and biomarkers, so this is how I became involved with the condition.
My days usually involve some routine clinical work with biological validation of the laboratory tests. I’m also often involved in the management of the teams and boards of directors of the lab or the hospital, depending on the day. And I have some teaching activities as a Professor at UCLouvain.
We are lucky to have easy access to lab tests, particularly for natriuretic peptides, and also strong research activities in heart failure. Improvement is still needed, though, such as providing reimbursement for natriuretic peptide testing and improving education on heart failure – especially among groups at high risk.
I wanted to become a member of a community engaged in the fight to improve heart failure outcomes. Contributing to the dissemination of information around heart failure and boosting the capacity of our community to lead change in this field were also key motivators.
Keep our multidisciplinary actions ongoing, as these are so rich and so important. I also want to see the Network continue to provide position and policy documents to stimulate the change needed to improve heart failure outcomes. Encouraging interactions with scientific societies and governments will also be important.
It is important to increase affordable and equitable access to biomarkers and natriuretic peptide testing. I also feel that more needs to be done to strengthen prevention and early detection among high-risk patients. This can include emerging technologies, such as point-of-care testing and artificial intelligence, which show exciting potential for improving heart failure diagnosis and management.
From a lab perspective, biomarker testing at high throughput with new automation clinical laboratories has been a significant breakthrough. Other research around digital empowerment and education, point-of-care testing and the inclusion of artificial intelligence in heart failure care have also been exciting.
The Heart Failure Policy Network brings together experts who are united in their passion: to improve outcomes for people living with heart failure.
We share profiles of our members to showcase what led them to work in heart failure, and find out about changes they would like to see in prevention and care.
