Julius is a physician-researcher at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and will start as AIOS Cardiology later this year. Steffie works in the Obstetrics & Gynecology department of the LUMC as an AIOS. The fact that brother and sister have a publication to their name together was not a preconceived plan. “No, we didn’t come up with it at the kitchen table,” says Steffie. “It came about more by chance,” adds Julius.
Unusual collaboration
The fact that they both studied medicine is quite special. “We don’t come from a family of doctors, so we didn’t inherit it from home. In the end, we both completed the course, but then opted for a different specialization. I was more interested in the contemplative specialties, and Steffie more in the surgical ones. So we didn’t expect to work together much in the hospital,” explains Julius.
How did the publication come about? The idea of the article comes from the Late Effects outpatient clinic of internist Marloes Louwerens and the Cardiology department. A previous study shows that women who have had childhood cancer have an increased risk of a weakened heart muscle. This is due to the cancer treatment they have had in the past. Pregnancy is a heavy burden on the heart. A small number of women who have had childhood cancer experience heart failure during pregnancy. Currently, there is no set procedure for monitoring these women during pregnancy.
Get started with a publication together
At the Late Effects outpatient clinic, they therefore wanted to know whether, thanks to better monitoring, it would be possible to find out earlier in which ex-cancer patients heart problems occur during pregnancy. With this knowledge, the necessary care can be provided at an early stage. And vice versa, which women are not at risk and do not need to be burdened with intensive monitoring.
“For the research it was necessary to combine our knowledge with that of the Obstetrics department. I then asked Steffie if she knew anyone who could help us,” says Julius. Steffie: “When I got the question, I didn’t have to think long about it. During my work as a tropical doctor (2015-2019) I had cared for many pregnant women with heart problems, so the subject seemed very interesting to me. In addition, I thought it would be a unique opportunity to work with my brother for once.
During the study, the research team of 39 women examined the outcomes of 91 pregnancies. This includes heart function tests performed during the pregnancies. The study shows that survivors of childhood cancer have a low risk of a weakened heart muscle during pregnancy if they did not have reduced heart muscle function before pregnancy. The GLS measurement, a relatively new measurement to analyze heart function, appears to be able to better predict which women are at risk of deterioration of their heart function during pregnancy.
Arrange for Christmas dinner
According to both, the cooperation has gone well. “The fact that it is your brother makes communication a lot more accessible,” says Steffie. “You are less hesitant to pick up the phone to ask something quickly.” Julius nods. “Even before the start of the Christmas dinner with the family, we briefly coordinated something,” he says with a laugh. Steffie: “It is also very funny to see each other in a work setting. For example, we had a meeting with our managers. Julius was very tight and organized during the conversation. That was a side that I actually didn’t know very well about my brother.”
international family
Steffie’s promotion is scheduled for April. It is the first time in years that the entire Heemelaar family is present in the Netherlands at the same time. “There is always someone abroad,” says Julius, who lives and works in the United States until November this year for his research. Living abroad is also no stranger to Steffie, for example in the previous decade she worked in Namibia as a tropical doctor for several years. “We also have a sister who lives in Australia. She will also be coming to the Netherlands in April to attend the PhD ceremony. Perhaps that is also a good time to show the whole family our publication.”
Curious about the publication? This can be read in the journal BMC Cancer.