News

European University Hospital Alliance (EUHA) discusses European health policy during fifth general meeting

19 December 2019

The European University Hospital Alliance organised its fifth general meeting at the Hôpital Saint-Louis, AP-HP, in Paris on 4 December. The CEOs of the European University Hospital Alliance (EUHA) meet twice a year.

First Flemish patient with vocal chord disorder operated using a new technique

3 December 2019

At UZ Leuven the first Flemish patient was recently operated on using a new technique to repair non-working vocal cords. The technique is used when one of the two vocal cords stops working due to a damaged laryngeal nerve.

3 million dollars to fight Crohn's disease

26 November 2019

Approximately 3 in a 1000 people suffer from Crohn's disease, a disorder characterised by intestinal inflammation. Although treatment is available for this disease, not all patients benefit from it. Moreover, even when the treatment is successful, quite a few patients still suffer from abdominal pain.

UZ Leuven awarded four prestigious JCI quality accreditations

30 October 2019

UZ Leuven was awarded the prestigious JCI quality label for the fourth time, an accreditation for high international quality and safety standards. In fact it was the first Flemish hospital to be awarded four different quality accreditations at the same time.

Tooth loss is not an inevitable consequence of ageing

8 October 2019

Many people consider it par for the course that you lose teeth when you get older. Prof. Dr. Joke Duyck, geriatric dentist, describes how good oral hygiene and oral health can make a huge difference in older people.

Maribavir: promising new drug for the treatment of CMV reactivation

19 September 2019

Maribavir offers an effective and safe treatment for cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation, a common complication following stem cell and organ transplants. This was demonstrated during a clinical phase 2 study led by Prof. Dr. Johan Maertens, haematologist at UZ Leuven.

Genetic NIPT test indicates whether mother is a carrier of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

4 September 2019

A study by the Centre for Human Genetics in Leuven has shown for the first time that the non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) can reveal abnormalities in the mother’s DNA linked to Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

4 complex transplants in one day

4 September 2019

On Sunday 1 September 4 complex transplants were performed virtually simultaneously in the UZ Leuven operating wing. An amazing feat, because it was the first time in Belgium that all main transplantable organs of the body were transferred from donor to recipient on the same day.

Visit the delivery room and maternity unit

2 September 2019

Participate in a virtual tour and discover where your baby will make its entry into the world. A restful and comfortable environment where you will receive the best possible care. Not only will you find out what it looks like, you will also be given useful information on the way we operate.

Blood test detects rejection by antibodies following a kidney transplant

30 July 2019

Researchers involved in a European multicentre study led by Leuven-based nephrologists identified a new biomarker which, via a simple blood test, can demonstrate much earlier which patients are showing signs of rejection by antibodies following a kidney transplant.

Ketones in the fight against lymphoedema

12 July 2019

Administration of ketones, an alternative source of energy, stimulates the growth of lymphatic vessels and has a positive impact on disorders of the lymphatic system. These spectacular effects were discovered by Prof. Carmeliet (VIB-KU Leuven). This strategy will be tested in a UZ Leuven clinical phase II study.

Belgian lung specialists recommend environmentally friendly inhalers that produce better treatment results for lung patients

2 July 2019

The department heads of Belgian university hospitals are recommending the use of dry-powder inhalers to lung patients because they can deliver better treatment results for asthma and COPD. Moreover, they are far less damaging to the environment than traditional propellant driven aerosols.