@article{435a12ff5b1e4673a0d2223a9e9784ce,
title = "The Netherlands Heart Tissue Bank: Strengthening the cardiovascular research infrastructure with an open access Cardiac Tissue Repository",
abstract = "Aim: Cardiac diseases remain a leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) related hospitalisation and mortality. That is why research to improve our understanding of pathophysiological processes underlying cardiac diseases is of great importance. There is a strong need for healthy and diseased human cardiac tissue and related clinical data to accomplish this, since currently used animal and in vitro disease models do not fully grasp the pathophysiological processes observed in humans. This design paper describes the initiative of the Netherlands Heart Tissue Bank (NHTB) that aims to boost CVD-related research by providing an open-access biobank. Methods: The NHTB, founded in June 2020, is a non-profit biobank that collects and stores biomaterial (including but not limited to myocardial tissue and blood samples) and clinical data of individuals with and without previously known cardiac diseases. All individuals aged ≥ 18 years living in the Netherlands are eligible for inclusion as a potential future donor. The stored samples and clinical data will be available upon request for cardiovascular researchers. Conclusion: To improve the availability of cardiac tissue for cardiovascular research, the NHTB will include extensive (cardiac) biosamples, medical images, and clinical data of donors with and without a previously known cardiac disease. As such, the NHTB will function as a translational bridge to boost a wide range of cardiac disease-related fundamental and translational studies.",
keywords = "Biological specimen banks, Heart diseases, Registries, Tissue banks, Translational research",
author = "Henkens, {M. T. H. M.} and {van Ast}, {J. F.} and {te Riele}, {A. S. J. M.} and Houweling, {A. C.} and Amin, {A. S.} and R. Nijveldt and Antoni, {M. L.} and X. Li and Wehrens, {S. M. T.} and {von der Th{\"u}sen}, {J. H.} and K. Damman and {ter Horst}, {E. N.} and Manintveld, {O. C.} and Abma-Schouten, {R. Y.} and Niessen, {H. W. M.} and Sillj{\'e}, {H. H. W.} and Jukema, {J. W.} and Doevendans, {P. A.}",
note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by the Dutch Heart Foundation (2018T097), the Netherlands Heart Institute (NLHI), and the PLN Heart Foundation [18 ], we would like to thank them for their support. Additionally, the authors would like to acknowledge Berg Designs for designing the infographic (www.bergdesigns.nl ), all employees of the NBB and NHTB (an up-to-date overview of all employees involved is provided at www.brainbank.nl and www.hearttissuebank.nl ), and the advisory board of the NHTB (more details are provided at www.hearttissuebank.nl ). The authors also would like to acknowledge all current and future involved healthcare workers and researchers who are crucial for the clinical care provided and data obtained of the (future) donors included in this biobank. Finally, we would like to thank all (future) donors, without them this initiative would be impossible. The (future) work of the NHTB is not possible without financial support. Would you like to make a financial contribution to the NHTB? Go to www.hearttissuebank.nl Funding Information: This work was supported by the Dutch Heart Foundation (2018T097), the Netherlands Heart Institute (NLHI), and the PLN Heart Foundation [], we would like to thank them for their support. Additionally, the authors would like to acknowledge Berg Designs for designing the infographic ( www.bergdesigns.nl ), all employees of the NBB and NHTB (an up-to-date overview of all employees involved is provided at www.brainbank.nl and www.hearttissuebank.nl ), and the advisory board of the NHTB (more details are provided at www.hearttissuebank.nl ). The authors also would like to acknowledge all current and future involved healthcare workers and researchers who are crucial for the clinical care provided and data obtained of the (future) donors included in this biobank. Finally, we would like to thank all (future) donors, without them this initiative would be impossible. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022, The Author(s).",
year = "2023",
month = jan,
day = "1",
doi = "https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-022-01713-8",
language = "English",
volume = "31",
pages = "16--20",
journal = "Netherlands heart journal",
issn = "1568-5888",
publisher = "Bohn Stafleu van Loghum",
number = "1",
}