Welcome to Belgium - the latest country to join the THINK AORTA Campaign

The launch was announced at a special conference marking the 50th anniversary of University Cardiac Surgery in Liège, a milestone event celebrating five decades of innovation, excellence and leadership in cardiovascular care.

As part of the launch, the Aortic Centre at the University Hospital of Liège (CHU Liège) has been appointed as the national ambassador for THINK AORTA Belgium, helping to lead efforts to improve awareness and early recognition of acute aortic dissection among healthcare professionals across the country.

A Global Campaign with a Simple Message

Founded in the United Kingdom in 2016 by patients, working alongside healthcare professionals, learned societies and partner organisations, THINK AORTA was created to address one of the greatest challenges in aortic dissection care: recognition.

Acute aortic dissection remains a medical emergency where early diagnosis can make the difference between life and death. The campaign encourages healthcare professionals to consider aortic dissection earlier when patients present with symptoms such as sudden, severe chest, back or abdominal pain, helping to ensure that appropriate imaging and specialist treatment can be delivered without delay.

The long-term ambition of the campaign is clear: to transform aortic dissection from a frequently missed and often fatal event into a condition recognised early enough to be treated in time.

A Shared Commitment to Saving Lives

Professor Vincent Tchana-Sato, Head of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at CHU Liège, highlighted the importance of improving awareness of the condition.

"Aortic dissection remains a condition that is too often overlooked, despite the fact that every hour gained can make the difference between life and death. The THINK AORTA campaign aims to raise awareness among healthcare professionals in order to improve early diagnosis and patient survival."

Dr Arnaud Kerzmann, Scientific Director of the Aortic Centre, added:

"We hope that this campaign will help raise awareness of this medical emergency and strengthen the vigilance of frontline professionals. Thinking about the aorta at the right time can save a life."

Growing International Momentum

The addition of Belgium reflects the growing international reach of THINK AORTA and the increasing recognition that improving awareness is one of the most effective ways to improve outcomes for patients experiencing acute aortic dissection.

Today, the campaign brings together patients, clinicians, hospitals, professional societies and advocacy organisations across seventeen countries, all working towards a common goal: ensuring that aortic dissection is recognised earlier, treated sooner and ultimately becomes far less deadly.

Welcome to THINK AORTA Belgium

We are proud to welcome our colleagues at CHU Liège and the wider Belgian aortic community to the THINK AORTA family.

By working together across borders, sharing knowledge, supporting education and amplifying awareness, we move one step closer to a future where more patients receive the diagnosis and treatment they need in time.

Welcome, Belgium!
Bienvenue, Belgique !
Welkom, België!