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Cardiology

Leader of this group:

MD. PhD. Elisabeth Leirgul

Elisabeth.Leirgul.jpeg

The cardiology group is mainly focusing on haemodynamic changes during exercise in children and adolescents; normal and with congenital heart defects.

We are also evaluating myocardial function and perfusion by MRI and echocardiography both in the foetal heart just before and after birth and in selected groups of patients with congenital heart defects like tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries and coarctation of the aorta.

Ongoing studies often include evaluation of endothelial function measured by ischaemic induced hyperperfusion in brachial artery and intima thickness in the carotid arteries.

Members of the group have a wide range of collaboration especially in epidemiological studies in the prevalence of congenital heart disease, recurrence risk, and risk factors for congenital heart defects.

We have been one of the main participants in the REDUCE study on closure of persistent foramen ovale in patients with cryptogenic cerebral strokes, and are collaborating in a studies of oral health in children with congenital heart defects, and cardiac risk factors in persons born prematurely.

We are also participating in the Nordic study of patients operated with atrial switch (a.m. Senning and Mustard) for transposition of the great arteries.

We also have a tradition with evaluation of clinical procedures and methods at the present of blood pressure measurements in children.

Our projects in:

Peadiatric cardiology

Our group is p.t. focusing within the following three main fields of research:

1

Myocardial function and endothelial function, as measured by ultrasound, in healthy children and children with congenital heart defects

At the present we are focusing on the changes occurring just before and after birth in collaboration with Dr. PhD, Jörg Kessler and Dr. PhD, Cathrine Ebbing at Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology.

Cardiac function and coronary flow reserve are also studied by cardiac MRI in collaboration with Professor Terje H. Larsen, Department of Biomedicine.

Project team:

Dr. Tom R. Omdal

Dr Lars Sandve Oppedal

Dr. PhD Britt Engan

Dr. PhD, Elisabeth Lerigul

Prof. Dr.med. Gottfried Greve

2

Registry based research in collaboration Professor Nina Øyen at Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care

Within the frame of CVDNOR (https://cvdnor.w.uib.no) we have looked on the prevalence of congenital heart defects, risk factors like maternal diabetes and folic acid supplement as well as the association with Down syndrome and preeclampsia and sibling recurrence. We have investigated prevalence and outcome of pregnancies and deliveries in women with congenital heart disease.

Project team:

Dr. PhD, Elisabeth Lerigul

Dr. Kristoffer Brodwall

Dr Marit Sandberg

Prof. Dr.med. Gottfried Greve

3

Exercise physiology during childhood and adolescents and the quality measurements collected during exercise and during a day

At the present we are focusing on altered physical performance during puberty, and diurnal blood pressure regulation. The studies are all carried out in The Energy Centre for Children and Adolescents (https://helse-bergen.no/om-oss/vi-bygger-nytt-sjukehus/barne-og-ungdomssjukehuset-bus).

Project team:

Dr. PhD Asle Hirth

Prof. Dr.med. Gottfried Greve

Members of the cardio group

Elsabeth Leirgul.jpg

MD Britt Engan

Elsabeth Leirgul.jpg

MD, PhD Kristoffer Brodwall

Elsabeth Leirgul.jpg

MD Tom Omdal

Elsabeth Leirgul.jpg

MD, PhD Asle Hirt

Elsabeth Leirgul.jpg

MD, PhD Elisabeth Leirgul

Elsabeth Leirgul.jpg

Prof. Dr.med. Ansgar Berg

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