Project title: Improvement of Cardiovascular Disease Patient Diagnostics and Treatment at Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital
Funding The pilot project is being implemented within the framework of the European Union Recovery Fund project (Project No. 4.3.1.1.i.0/1/22/I/VM/001).
Project identification No.: 04
Contract No.: NVD-9/96-2024
Period: 18 months from October 3, 2024, to March 31, 2026.
Project costs: EUR 143 000,06
Principal Investigator BMC: Dr.biol. J.Kloviņš
Leading partner: State Limited Liability Company “Paula Stradiņa Clinical University Hospital”
Project summary:
Objective:
To improve the diagnosis and treatment options for cardiovascular disease patients within three specific disease groups at Paula Stradiņa Clinical University Hospital:
- Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH): Enhance diagnostics and treatment options in Latvia by providing treatment through balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA).
- Introduce genetic testing that meets international standards, ensuring fast and cost-effective diagnostics within the Lipid Clinic model. This approach aims to improve diagnosis and refine indications for early primary prevention, reducing the prevalence of early cardiovascular disease in Latvia.
- Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) and Carotid Artery Stenosis (CAS): Reduce cardiovascular mortality rates among patients suffering from CLI and CAS.
Information published 05.11.2024.
Progress of the project:
5 November 2024 – 30 April 2025
A method based on third-generation sequencing technology has been developed for targeted detection of genetic variants associated with familial hypercholesterolemia risk in three genes (LDLR, APOB, PCSK9). The laboratory test with its methodological description are prepared for transfer to the staff of the Laboratory of Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital. To date, 25 hypercholesterolemia patients have been tested using this newly developed method. For patients with negative results, comprehensive whole genome sequencing is performed.
Information published 30.04.2025.
Progress of the project:
1 May 2025 – 31 October 2025
Within the project, a targeted third-generation sequencing method (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) has been fully developed and validated for the detection of genetic variants in the LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9 genes associated with familial hypercholesterolemia. The wet lab workflow has been transferred to the P. Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital Unified Laboratory, where the method is now implemented in routine diagnostics; 14 patients have already received reports through the hospital’s official reporting infrastructure. In total, 40 patients have been tested, and the results of the targeted sequencing demonstrate 100% concordance with whole genome sequencing data, confirming the reliability and robustness of the method.
Information published 31.10.2025.