News from Rigshospitalet

New international guideline may help to reduce the number of unnecessary uterine D&C procedures

Medical experts from Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet have in collaboration with international colleagues developed European guidelines on how to handle abnormal uterine bleeding during and after menopause aiming inter alia to reduce the number of unnecessary uterine Dilatation and Curettage (D&C) procedures.

Danish cardiologists and radiologists are teaching international colleagues

One thing is to have state-of-the-art scanners; another thing is to decode the scan images. Rigshospitalet was one of the first hospitals in Europe to acquire an ultra-fast CT scanner. The hospital is now teaching physicians from all over the world to read scans of the heart.

Rigshospitalet receives European health and safety award

Measurable effects of prioritised and focussed health and safety initiatives only come after implementation; transforming words into action in daily routines. This is what makes a winner and it is on this basis that Rigshospitalet received the European Good Practice Award in April 2013.

Thomas Bjarnsholt receives Young Investigator Award

Associate professor Thomas Bjarnsholt has received the Young Investigator Award for Research in Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases from the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases (ESCMID).

Cells which increase the rate fat is burned found in humans

Researchers from Rigshospitalet are the first in the world to demonstrate that brown cells as well as 'brite' cells exist in the neck region in adult humans. The find is crucial for fat research and future treatment of obesity.

Meningitis in childhood linked to lower level of education in adulthood

Bacterial meningitis in childhood has been linked to lower levels of education and financial independence in adulthood. This is the result of new research by Rigshospitalet.

British master class benefits Danish patients

Rigshospitalet’s research tradition has aroused international interest, but still we can learn practical skills from abroad.

Major breakthrough in knowledge about prostate cancer

In an extensive international trial, researchers from Rigshospitalet and others have discovered 72 congenital genetic defects which predispose to prostate cancer. This is a ground-breaking discovery which opens for completely new possibilities for diagnosing and treating this type of cancer.

Researchers clarify link between genes, birth weight, diet and type 2 diabetes

Can genes be the link between low birth weight and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes? The answer is no, only in extremely rare cases. This has been proven by new research from Rigshospitalet. At the same time, researchers have shown that diet has an impact on the development of type 2 diabetes by influencing gene functions, even in the short term.

Rigshospitalet's Trauma Centre at par with the best in the USA

Each year the Trauma Centre receives more than 1,000 seriously injured patients- and the Centre now complies with the standards of a Level 1 trauma centre. This means that the Trauma Centre is now one of the world’s best

DKK 15 mill. for research into atrial fibrillation

Professor Jesper Hastrup Svendsen from the Department of Cardiology at Rigshospitalet has been granted funding of DKK 15,651,562 by the Programme Commission on Individuals, Disease and Society under the Danish Council for Strategic Research for research into atrial fibrillation.

Rigshospitalet to have the world's best scanner

In July 2012, Rigshospitalet became the third hospital in the world to receive a combined PET/MR scanner. Now this is to be upgraded with a hyperpolarizator. The upgrade means that the scanner's signals can be strengthened even more and this in turn means better diagnosis and treatment.

Safe freezing of stem cells

Copenhagen University Hospital and Pharmacosmos have joined forces to improve current stem cell and tissue freezing methods. The project, Cryodex, has received support from the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation.

World leaders in CT image formation

Rigshospitalet is the first hospital in Denmark and the second hospital in Europe to be able to offer image diagnostics with a brand new CT scanner with unprecedented high speed and considerably improved image formation.

Professor in MS receives Rigshospitalet’s Int. KFJ Award

Professor Tomas Olsson from the Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Neurology at Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, has been awarded Rigshospitalet’s International KFJ Award 2012.

Protein may prevent blood clots

Researchers have discovered a protein that may prevent the formation of blood clots and reduce tissue and organ damage from a cardiac infarct. This discovery may form the basis for developing new drugs.

Global Excellence Symposium, Copenhagen - Update on Cancer

Meet international and local experts presenting an opdate on key issues in cancer. New aspects on the pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation vil be reviewed and discussed by frontline researchers within these fields. 

New scanner benefits children with cancer

Rigshospitalet is the third hospital in the world to acquire a PET/MR scanner. This will benefit children with cancer in particular.

Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of cardiovascular disease

A new Danish study, published in American Heart Journal, shows that patients with atrial fibrillation have a four-times greater risk of blood clots in the brain.

New Trauma Centre and Acute Admissions - international dimension

Rigshospitalet is expanding with a whole new centre for trauma and acute admissions.

Rigshospitalet introduces surgical procedure from Hong Kong

A year ago, Danish patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer were always sent to Hong Kong for surgery. Now Chinese doctors have taught their colleagues at Rigshospitalet how to perform this groundbreaking surgical procedure.

Life and lungs - 20 years from when it all began

In September this year, Rigshospitalet can celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first lung transplant carried out in Denmark. Rigshospitalet ranks as one of the best transplant centres in the world.

Unique collaboration helps soldiers

Treatment and rehabilitation of injured soldiers are the responsibility of the public health service, however Rigshospitalet and the Danish Defence have established a unique and untraditional collaboration.

Four Global Excellence winners at Rigshospitalet

The ‘Global Excellence in Health’ award is being presented to five research communities today. Four of the winners are from Rigshospitalet.

Elderly lymphoma patients live longer

Elderly patients suffering from the serious and often incurable mantle cell lymphoma are now likely to live much longer due to treatment with mild chemotherapy combined with an antibody.

Annual Report 2011 out now

Rigshospitalet's Annual Report 2011 is out now. Presented to you in words, pictures and video, you will find a selection of research news, treatments and events that stood out.

New study of semen quality in young Danes

A new large Copenhagen study reveals that the semen quality of young Danish males has improved slightly over the last 15 years. However, the semen quality of contemporary males is still disturbingly low when comparing with Copenhagen males in 1940. 

Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 versus Ringer's Acetate in Severe Sepsis

Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 is widely used for fluid resuscitation in intensive care units (ICUs), but its safety and efficacy have not been established in patients with severe sepsis.

Ph.D Mandana Haack-Sørensen wins Lorentz Eldjarn Prize Competition 2012

Ph.D Mandana Haack-Sørensen has won the prize of 100.000 dkk for best article published in The Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation the last five years.

No direct connection between antidepressants and heart abnormalities

A team of Danish researchers have investigated the relationship between taking SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy, and foetal heart abnormalities. The results show that children of mothers who have taken antidepressants during the first trimester do have twice the risk of heart abnormalities, but this is not merely due to the medication. 

New Study on contraception and arterial thrombosis

A new large Danish study assessing the influence of different types of hormonal contraception on the risk of arterial thrombosis (thrombotic stroke and myocardial infarction) is published today.

Clinical Assistant wins Best Abstract Competition

Clinical Assistant Rasmus Hesselfeldt from Department of Anaesthesiology has won for best abstract on the Euroanaesthesia 2012 congress – chosen from 867 abstracts.

Niels Borregaard receives award

Prof. Niels Borregaard, DMSc has been selected for one of Denmark's largest medical awards; a clinical medical award which will be officially handed over by KFJ-fonden on 21 June. The prize of DKK 1.5 mill. has been awarded to Niels Borregaard for his research into blood's immune system.

They'll be building the New Rigshospital

The winners of the architect competition for the New Rigshospital were announced today.

New contraceptives increase the risk of blood clots

The risk of women who use a contraceptive vaginal ring or contraceptive patches developing blood clots is 6.5-7.7 times greater than for women who use a non-hormonal contraceptive  This is the result of a new study from Rigshospitalet and Hillerød Hospital.

Researchers at Rigshospitalet find markers for testicular cancer

A team of researchers at Rigshospitalet has found a new and simple way of detecting testicular cancer before it starts. This discovery will benefit patients in both Denmark and abroad.

International conference in "Gender and Health through Life"

Copenhagen Conference 2012 June 14th and 15th on “Gender and Health through Life” with support and participation from the Danish EU Presidency.

Consultant Dentist Jens Ove Andreasen receives Codan Prize

On Friday 30 March 2012, Dr. Jens Ove Andreasen, Consultant Dentist at the Department of Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Rigshospitalet received the Codan Prize for his important work over many years.

Crucial new knowledge about fatal brain cancer

Researchers at Rigshospitalet, the Danish Cancer Society and from Cleveland in the US have published what has been called crucial knowledge in the fight to improve the treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme - the most common and aggressive type of brain cancer

Smoker's lung gene discovered

Researchers at Rigshospitalet and Herlev Hospital have identified a hereditary genetic defect which increases the risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Revolution in stereotactic radiotherapy

There may well be a revolution in stereotactic radiotherapy for patients with certain types of prostate and brain cancer, when the Department of Radiotherapy commissions the first Truebeam Novalis STx accelerator in Denmark on 15 March 2012.

Rigshospitalet initiates trials with stem cell treatment for sclerosis patients

Animal experiments have shown that, after injection into the vascular bed, mesenchymal stem cells can find their way to the affected areas in the brain and curb the infection. Researchers from Rigshospitalet and other centres will attempt to reproduce the same effect by treating sclerosis patients with stem cells.

Biobank expands at Rigshospitalet

In future, researchers will have access to biological samples from patients who have received treatment at a hospital within the Capital Region of Denmark.

Rigshospitalet signs two-year research agreement with Eli Lilly & Co

The Neurobiology Research Unit , under the Neuroscience Centre at Rigshospitalet, and researchers at Eli Lilly & Co are to work together on a new basic research project within cognition

T.R.H. Prince Joachim and Princess Marie have left the hospital

Their Royal Highnesses Prince Joachim and Princess Marie have left Rigshospitalet with their newborn Princess.  

Princess Marie has given birth

Her Royal Highness Princess Marie has given birth to a Princess at Rigshospitalet on the 24th January 2012

Cochrane Summaries website receives runner-up award

Cochrane Summaries recently earned the 2011 runner-up award presented by the Plain English Campaign

Scandinavia’s first PET/MR scanner inaugurated at Rigshospitalet

The Meyer Foundation has donated an advanced PET/MR scanner to Rigshospitalet. This is the first of its type in Scandinavia, and only the third in the world.

ECGs lead to fewer heart operations

An electrocardiogram (ECG) can be used to predict the course of an individual patient’s disease, resulting in fewer operations, new study performed at Rigshospitalet shows.

Bruce R. Rosen, professor at Harvard Medical School, receives Rigshospitalet's International KFJ Award 2011

Rigshospitalet has instituted a new annual award; the Rigshospitalet International KFJ Award. The award of DKK 1.5 million has been made possible by a donation from the Kirsten and Freddy Johansen Foundation.

DKK 11.1 million grant for research into premature births and supply of oxygen to the brain

Premature birth involves a serious risk of death or permanent late complications following brain damage. A new European research project headed by Prof. Gorm Greisen from the Department of Neonatology at Rigshospitalet is focussing on brain oxygenation in the first three days of life.

New research into the relationship between diabetes and diet for mothers and their children

DKK 11.8 million from the Strategic Research Council has been earmarked to study the development of type 2 diabetes in the children of women with gestation diabetes.

Danish HIV patients can live as long as the general population when treated optimally

Researchers who have been following Danish HIV patients for more than fifteen years now see that the patients may live as long as other Danes if they take their medicine.

DKK 17.9 million for research into diseases of the brain

A research group based at Rigshospitalet is to test human brain cells with substances to treat diseases of the brain. The tests have been granted DKK 17.9 million from the Danish Council for Strategic Research.

Cancer break-through on the way

In a few years Danish hospitals with scanning facilities will be able to predict immediately whether a patient's cancer will spread and what treatment will be the most effective.

Earlier treatment for patients with blood clots in the heart

The annual 2,000-3,000 Danes suffering a large blood clot in the heart are today receiving the correct specialist treatment much quicker, which increases their chances of surviving the dreaded condition significantly, compared with just ten years ago.

Aspirin cuts cancer rates in people with hereditary risk by more than half

Research provides proof that taking a regular dose of aspirin reduces the long-term risk of cancer in people with a family history of the disease by around 60 per cent.

Athletes can suffer heart concussion

It does not happen often but a few times a year, the media reports about very young athletes suddenly suffering heart failure. When this happens it is almost always in connection with contact sports. It is a kind of “concussion” - only it is of the heart.

Lymphoma of the skin is now traceable

Researchers at Rigshospitalet, the University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospital and Bispebjerg Hospital have discovered three molecules, which render it possible to distinguish lymphoma of the skin from more harmless skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema.

The newly proclaimed Centre of Global Excellence at Rigshospitalet cracks the code to multiple sclerosis

The Danish Multiple Sclerosis Research Centre at Rigshospitalet was recently nominated as a Centre of Global Excellence. At the same time the Centre and international research partners could reveal which genes are in play when people are affected by multiple sclerosis.

Hong Kong incubator for new surgery to treat nasopharyngeal cancer

Ear, nose and throat doctors from Rigshospitalet and Hong Kong have joined forces to offer groundbreaking surgery to Danish patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer. The surgical method, which was developed in Hong Kong, could now be on the way to Denmark

Annual report out now

Rigshospitalet are happy to present the Annual Report 2010.

New treatment at Rigshospitalet gives hope for patients with high blood pressure

With the help of renal physicians and radiologists, cardiologists at Rigshospitalet have now successfully applied a new technique to relieve high blood pressure, which so far has been reserved for the treatment of heart patients.

Allocation of EUR millions from the EU for research into rare disease

Every week, patients from all over Europe with the rare, congenital disease Alpha-Mannosidosis are now being flown to the Department of Clinical Genetics and the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Rigshospitalet for experimental treatment.

Rigshospitalet at the leading edge with reconstruction following cancer surgery

Led by Professor Krzysztof Drzewiecki, Rigshospitalet’s Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns Treatment are now using completely new methods to develop a reconstruction technique to give patients back their natural curves after breast cancer surgery.

KFJ award 2011 goes to bold and world-renowned researcher

“It is rare that the highest quality of research is implemented in a paradigm shift for a whole world of treatment.” Meet the winner of the KFJ award 2011, Professor Henrik Kehlet, Consultant, MD.

Malaria parasites use camouflage to trick immune defences of pregnant women

Malaria discovery: Researchers from Rigshospitalet – Copenhagen University Hospital – and the University of Copenhagen have discovered why malaria parasites are able to hide from the immune defences of expectant mothers, allowing the parasite to attack the placenta.

'Microbrains' to improve treatment of Alzheimer's

A new research project will cultivate nerve cells in test tubes in order to develop microbrains.

Vitamin D increases speed of sperm cells

Vitamin D is important for optimal reproductive function in both animals and humans. It has long been known that serum vitamin D level is important for reproductive function in various animals, but now researchers from the University of Copenhagen and Copenhagen University Hospital have shown that this relationship can also be demonstrated in humans.

Rigshospitalet gets renewed JCI accreditation

For the forth time running Rigshospitalet has been accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI).

HIV professor receives prize

Prof. Lundgren receives prize for his unique research work on virual diseases.

TRH the Crown Prince and Crown Princess are leaving Rigshospitalet

Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess are leaving Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen with the new born twins the 14 January late afternoon.

A Prince and a Princess are born

On 8 January 2011 Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary gave birth to two healthy children at Righospitalet in Copenhagen.

Unique Alzheimer’s project in Danish dementia research

Eight Danish dementia departments and several research units have been granted several million Danish kroner to examine whether physical exercise has a beneficial impact on Alzheimer’s patients.

Prize for Neurobiology Research Unit

Monrad-Krohn research prize is awarded to the Neurobiology Research Unit at Rigshospitalet

Rigshospitalet hires trauma manager

Rigshospitalet’s Trauma Centre and Acute Admissions has hired Denmark’s first medical Trauma Manager to ensure even better treatment than today.

The Niels A. Lassen Award 2010 goes to researcher from Rigshospitalet

Today, Prof. Jens Kastrup, Consultant Surgeon, from the Department of Cardiology at Rigshospitalet receives the Prof. Niels A. Lassen Award for his years of clinical research.

Danish professor is new President of the International Spinal Cord Society

Professor Fin Biering-Sørensen, Head of Department at the Department of Spinal Cord Injuries, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark has been elected President of the International Spinal Cord Society.

Lundbeck Foundation donates DKK 40 mill. (EUR 5.3 mill.) to brain research

The Lundbeck Foundation has agreed to extend its work at Cimbi, Center for Integrated Molecular Brain Imaging by five years; now to run to the end of 2015.

Researcher from Rigshospitalet receives his second award this year

A professor from Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, Denmark received his second award of honour this year for his scientific work. Professor Hans-Henrik Parving, Consultant at the Department of Endocrinology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark received the Belding H. Scribner Award on 20 November 2010.

Smoking damages men’s sperm and also the numbers of germ and somatic cells in developing embryos

Two new studies have shed more light on how smoking may damage fertility, and give further weight to advice that mothers and fathers-to-be should stop smoking before attempting to conceive.

Cardiologist receives prestigious award

Danish Cardiology Society today, 7 May, honors Dr Kristian Wachtell from Rigshospitalet for his outstanding effort in research on heart disease.

World first: woman gives birth to two healthy babies in separate pregnancies after ovarian transplant

For the first time, a woman has given birth to two children after her fertility was restored using transplants of ovarian tissue that had been removed and frozen during her cancer treatment and then restored once she was cured.

Danish researchers explains Sudden Cardiac Death in the young

Most studies on Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) in the young are based on samples in selected groups. This is the first nationwide study (population 5.4 million) to describe incidences of SCD in the 1-35 years old and to report autopsy frequencies in presumed SCD by systematic evaluation of all deaths.

Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Persistens Pain Following Breast Cancer Surgery

Persistent pain and sensory disturbances following surgical treatment for breast cancer is a significant clinical problem. The pathogenic mechanisms are complex and may be related to patient characteristics, surgical technique, and adjuvant therapy.

Breaking news for patients with heart disease

Autologous Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Endothelial Progenitors therapy to Improve Vascularization and Symptoms in Patients With Chronic Coronary Artery Disease

Scientific breakthrough

Danish research team discovers a critical defect in the immune system. This discovery could lead to improved diagnostics and treatment of infectious diseases.