Helena Dominguez

Dr. Helena Dominguez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, specializing in the physiology of circulation, kidney and lung. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, she has established herself as a leading researcher in cardiology and vascular physiology, with particular expertise in atrial fibrillation, vascular insulin resistance, and innovative telemedicine approaches for cardiovascular care.

Education:

• MD, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB), Spain, 1988
• PhD, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Denmark, 2005
• Specialist in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Denmark, 2007

Dr. Dominguez's research is fundamentally translational, bridging laboratory discoveries with clinical applications. Her early work focused on sub-inflammation in vascular and metabolic insulin resistance, which led to the development of novel in vitro models for studying vascular dysfunction. She is best known for initiating the LAACS (Left Atrial Appendage Closure by Surgery) clinical trial, which demonstrated promising results in preventing stroke, and its larger follow-up study LAACS-2. Her innovative 'cardio-relay' model, developed through the REAFEL project, revolutionizes care for frail elderly patients with atrial fibrillation by enabling home-based evaluation through telemedicine collaboration between cardiologists and family doctors. This model has been adapted internationally through the BRAHIT project in Brazil and REACHFIT in Danish settings.

Her research portfolio reveals a clear trend toward interdisciplinary approaches that combine clinical cardiology, public health, and technology. Recent publications focus on atrial fibrillation management, risk prediction models for cardiovascular conditions, telemedicine applications, and medication safety in diabetes and heart disease. Her work increasingly incorporates mixed methods research that integrates patient perspectives with clinical outcomes.

Scientific Awards:

• Excellent quality reviewer for Annals of Internal Medicine (2011)
• Nordic Congress of Cardiology (Malmö, Sweden) (2005)
• Danish Society of Cardiology Award (2004, 2002)
• Diabetes and Heart Disease Award, Frederiksberg (2002)
• Bispebjerg Hospital Research Day Award (2002)

Dr. Dominguez has successfully secured substantial research funding, including a DKK 13 million Grand Solutions grant from Innovation Foundations for the REAFEL project and multiple grants for LAACS-2 totaling over DKK 4 million. She serves as the main PhD supervisor for numerous doctoral candidates at the University of Copenhagen and has mentored over 20 master's and bachelor's students. As an active educator, she teaches 'Heart and Lung Physiology' for medical students and has previously taught courses on metabolic syndrome and diabetes-heart disease connections. Her research group operates within the Circulation, Kidney and Lung research section at the University of Copenhagen, collaborating with multiple international institutions across Europe and South America.