PhD defence Y. (Youssra) Allach

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:

Heart failure (HF) is a growing health concern due to aging, improved survival after cardiovascular events, and lifestyle factors. It often develops silently and becomes noticeable only in advanced stages, leading to delayed diagnoses, frequent hospitalizations, and high healthcare costs. Early detection is crucial for slowing disease progression and preventing complications, achievable through biomarkers and monitoring technologies. This thesis is divided into two parts. The first part investigates the role of biomarkers in chronic HF and their potential to predict pulmonary artery (PA) pressures and clinical outcomes. The second part focuses on sex differences in HF, emphasizing personalized treatments. Biomarkers such as NT-proBNP and CA-125 are key in predicting fluid congestion, a major cause of HF-related hospitalizations. When combined with hemodynamic data, these biomarkers allow a more dynamic and personalized approach to HF management. The second part highlights the sex differences in HF presentation and treatment, noting that women may respond differently to medications than men. The thesis advocates for more research into sex-specific therapies and personalized approaches to improving HF care.