Clarence Kvart Clarence Kvart is a Professor in Clinical Physiology, with particular interest in Veterinary Cardiology, at the faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala. He graduated from the Royal College of Veterinary Medicine, Stockholm, in 1975. His interest in Veterinary Cardiology was initiated by Professor Peter Lord who was a guest researcher at the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1974.
The interest in cardiology was further cultivated by a sabbatical leave in 1979, arranged by Peter Lord, to Dr. Larry Tilley at the animal medical center, N.Y., Professor Fred Fregin at New Bolton Center, Philadelphia and Professor Robert Hamlin, Columbus Ohio. Research, teaching and clinical work focusing on veterinary cardiology has since then been his main area of interest. He was one of the founders of European Society of Veterinary Cardiology (ESVC), being president elect from the society inception in 1981. Clarence Kvart defended his PhD thesis in 1982 and held the position of the president of ESVC from 1983 to 1986.
He was member of the "International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council" (ISACHC) from 1995-1999. Clarence Kvart received his Diploma from the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM) in 1997. His research has so far resulted in over 40 papers published in refereed journals, 35 articles in other journals and 52 abstracts from presentations at international conferences and meetings, of which many included research on heart sounds and murmurs.
One of his main merits, also worthy of mention, is that he recruited DVM Jens Häggström to be his PhD student in 1991. Together with Jens he has completed many successful collaboration projects over the years, including Jens thesis on myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs. One collaboration project to mention especially is the textbook chapter on acquired valvular heart disease in "Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine" edited by Ettinger and Feldtman. At times when Clarence Kvart not is occupied by veterinary cardiology he loves to spend his time boating in the Swedish archipelago outside Stockholm.

Jens Häggström Jens Häggström is an Associate Professor in Internal Medicine with particular interest in Veterinary Cardiology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala. Jens Häggström graduated from the veterinary program in Uppsala in 1990.
His interest in Veterinary Cardiology was initiated by Clarence Kvart already during his basic training. Dr. Häggström returned to Uppsala after a short period in mixed practice (large and small animals) to pursue this interest and continue the collaboration with Clarence Kvart and co-workers by starting a PhD program in Veterinary Cardiology.
This work dealt with chronic valvular disease (CVD) using the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as a model breed, as these dogs are prone developing CVD. He successfully defended his thesis entitled "Chronic valvular disease in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels-Epidemiology, Inheritance and Pathophysiology" in 1996.The thesis was awarded several prices of which one was delivered by the Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf at Stockholm City Hall. Jens Häggström became an Associate Professor in the year 2000. He has been active in the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology (ESVC) board since 1996 and in the European Society of Veterinary Medicine (ESVIM) congress organization. In 1998, he received his Diploma from the European College of Veterinary Medicine (ECVIM) in Cardiology. Jens Häggström has been an active speaker at various international conferences since he started as a PhD student in 1991 and has even been invited as a Keynote Speaker, despite his comparably young age. He is currently the author of 40 scientific papers printed in internationally distributed peer-reviewed journals, 70 scientific abstracts presented at international congresses, and 20 other publications including a book chapter in "Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine" edited by Ettinger and Feldtman. His main research interests include pathophysiology of heart failure, myxomatous mitral valve disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and diagnostic techniques of cardiovascular disease in animals. Jens Häggström is married and is the father of two sons. He enjoys spending time with his family, skiing or playing racket sports in his spare time.



[back]