Promotie S.J.A.M. (Sabine) Denissen

Cardiovascular diseases are still common. It is the main cause of death worldwide. To prevent cardiovascular events, it is important to assess which persons are at risk for developing cardiovascular diseases in order to start preventive measures. Current risk assessment involves measuring the main risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and smoking for risk calculation in various prediction models. However, these models lack precision in estimating the risk. Coronary artery calcification (CAC), which can be detected by using a CT-san, is believed to be a better predictor for cardiovascular events. Considering that there are risk assessment tools and preventive measures available, it has been suggested that population-based screening might be a promising strategy for identifying potential high-risk persons and consequently start preventive treatment. The Risk Or Benefit IN Screening for CArdiovascular diseases (ROBINSCA)-trial is the first large-scale randomized controlled screening trial that investigates whether screening for a high cardiovascular risk using either traditional risk assessment or CAC-scoring followed by preventive treatment is effective in reducing cardiovascular diseases in asymptomatic persons. The focus of this PhD-thesis is on the secondary outcomes of the ROBINSCA screening trial, including contamination of screening arms, the impact of screening on participants, the risk distribution among the asymptomatic population and the potential reduction in overtreatment.

Due to corona, the PhD defences do not take place publicly in the usual way in the Senate Hall of the Professor Andries Querido Room. The candidates will defend their dissertation either in a small group or online.