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MLDS grant Sabine Daemen

MLDS grant Sabine Daemen

15 November 2024

Dr Sabine Daemen (Dept of Internal Medicine) received a Career Development Grant (160k) from the Dutch Digestive Foundation (MLDS).

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Our new Division Leaders

Our new Division Leaders

3 October 2024

As of 1 October 2024, Casper Schalkwijk and Joost Lumens have been appointed as Division Leaders Vessels and Heart. Judith Sluimer will success Hugo ten Cate as Division Leader Blood in March 2025.

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Carim Maastricht
Carim Maastricht

Harry Crijns

Professor

Harry Crijns is professor and chair of Cardiology and board member of the Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM) at Maastricht UMC+. He studied medicine at the University of Amsterdam and was trained in cardiology and electrophysiology in Groningen and Maastricht. He is a Fellow of the ESC and a past board member of the EHRA. He is also past Chair of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology. He served on several guidelines committees for the management of AF. Currently he is the chairman of the scientific advisory board of the Dutch Heart Foundation.

His primary research focus continues to be atrial fibrillation (AF). He founded the RACE trials in the Netherlands and led the Euro Heart Survey on AF (ESC). He has established his reputation by introducing innovative concepts for diagnosis and treatment of AF by showing that - quite contrary to longstanding beliefs - electrical management does not change prognosis. This revolutionised management of the arrhythmia worldwide with the effect that major interventions like electrical cardioversion, catheter ablation and antiarrhythmic drug therapy are applied in a much more personalized fashion.

Subsequently his group showed that rate control in AF can be individualized thereby removing the previously used strict heart rate targets from the international guidelines. He also performed the Euro Heart Survey on AF and made many contributions to the field of stroke management in AF, such as the construction of well-recognised AF specific risk stratification scores for AF progression (HATCH), ischemic stroke (CHA2DS2-VASc) and major bleeding (HAS-BLED). These scores have practically conquered the medical AF community and improved patient care whilst boosting new clinical research throughout the world.

His research group now focusses on recent-onset AF, hybrid AF ablation, upstream therapy and vascular mechanisms for AF progression and stroke in idiopathic atrial fibrillation. He is (co-)author on over 650 scientific articles, with 56,677 citations and Hirsch-index of 100.

Harry-crijns

Department of Cardiology
P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX Maastricht 
PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht


  • 2015
    • Weijs, B., Schotten, U., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2015). Pathophysiology of Idiopathic Atrial Fibrillation - Prognostic and Treatment Implications. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 21(5), 551-572. https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612820666140825150057
    • van Deursen, C. J. M., Vernooy, K., Dudink, E., Bergfeldt, L., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Prinzen, F. W., & Wecke, L. (2015). Vectorcardiographic QRS area as a novel predictor of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Journal of Electrocardiology, 48(1), 45-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2014.10.003
  • 2014
    • Weijs, B., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2014). Lone or idiopathic atrial fibrillation, messenger of misery in sight. International Journal of Cardiology, 177(3), 734-735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.09.181
    • Lip, G. Y. H., Laroche, C., Ioachim, P. M., Rasmussen, L. H., Vitali-Serdoz, L., Petrescu, L., Darabantiu, D., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Kirchhof, P., Vardas, P., Tavazzi, L., Maggioni, A. P., & Boriani, G. (2014). Prognosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation patients by European cardiologists: One Year Follow-up of the EURObservational Research Programme-Atrial Fibrillation General Registry Pilot Phase (EORP-AF Pilot registry). European Heart Journal, 35(47), 3365-3376. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehu374
    • Guerra, F., Hohnloser, S. H., Kowey, P. R., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Aliot, E. M., Radzik, D., Roy, D., Connolly, S., & Capucci, A. (2014). Efficacy and Safety of Dronedarone in Patients Previously Treated With Other Antiarrhythmic Agents. Clinical Cardiology, 37(12), 717-724. https://doi.org/10.1002/clc.22342
    • Loeffen, R., van Oerle, R., de Groot, P. G., Waltenberger, J., Crijns, H. J., Spronk, H. M. H., & ten Cate, H. (2014). Increased factor XIa levels in patients with a first acute myocardial infarction: The introduction of a new thrombin generation based factor XIa assay. Thrombosis Research, 134(6), 1328-1334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2014.09.015
    • Limantoro, I., de Vos, C. B., Delhaas, T., Weijs, B., Blaauw, Y., Schotten, U., Kietselaer, B., Pisters, R., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2014). Clinical correlates of echocardiographic tissue velocity imaging abnormalities of the left atrial wall during atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 16(11), 1546-1553. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euu047
    • Rad, M. M., Blaauw, Y., Dinh, T., Pison, L., Crijns, H. J., Prinzen, F. W., & Vernooy, K. (2014). Different regions of latest electrical activation during left bundle-branch block and right ventricular pacing in cardiac resynchronization therapy patients determined by coronary venous electro-anatomic mapping. European journal of heart failure, 16(11), 1214-1222. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejhf.178
    • Ha, A. C. T., Breithardt, G., Camm, A. J., Crijns, H. J., Fitzmaurice, G. M., Kowey, P. R., Le Heuzey, J.-Y., Naditch-Brule, L., Prystowsky, E. N., Schwartz, P. J., Torp-Pedersen, C., Weintraub, W. S., & Dorian, P. (2014). Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Treated With Rhythm Control Versus Rate Control Insights From a Prospective International Registry (Registry on Cardiac Rhythm Disorders Assessing the Control of Atrial Fibrillation: RECORD-AF). Circulation : Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, 7(6), 896-904. https://doi.org/10.1161/HCQ.0000000000000011
    • Kumar, N., Blaauw, Y., Timmermans, C., Pison, L., Vernooy, K., & Crijns, H. (2014). Adenosine testing after second-generation balloon devices (cryothermal and laser) mediated pulmonary vein ablation for atrial fibrillation. Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology, 41(1), 91-97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-014-9921-z
    • Kumar, N., Pison, L., La Meir, M., Maessen, J., & Crijns, H. J. (2014). Hybrid approach to atrial fibrillation ablation using bipolar radiofrequency devices epicardially and cryoballoon endocardially. Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, 19(4), 590-594. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivu189
    • Marcucci, M., Lip, G. Y. H., Nieuwlaat, R., Pisters, R., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Iorio, A. (2014). Stroke and Bleeding Risk Co-distribution in Real-world Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: The Euro Heart Survey. American Journal of Medicine, 127(10), 979-U199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2014.05.003
    • Vermond, R. A., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Tijssen, J. G. P., Alings, A. M., Van den Berg, M. P., Hillege, H. L., Van Veldhuisen, D. J., Van Gelder, I. C., & Rienstra, M. (2014). Symptom severity is associated with cardiovascular outcome in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation in the RACE II study. EP Europace, 16(10), 1417-1425. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euu151
    • Mulder, B. A., Van Veldhuisen, D. J., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Tijssen, J. G. P., Hillege, H. L., Alings, M., Rienstra, M., Van den Berg, M. P., & Van Gelder, I. C. (2014). Digoxin in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation: Data from the RACE II study. Heart Rhythm, 11(9), 1543-1550. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2014.06.007
    • De Vos, C. B., Limantoro, I., Pisters, R., Delhaas, T., Schotten, U., Cheriex, E. C., Tieleman, R. G., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2014). The mechanical fibrillation pattern of the atrial myocardium is associated with acute and long-term success of electrical cardioversion in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm, 11(9), 1514-1521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2014.04.029
    • van Breugel, H. N. A. M., Gelsomino, S., de Vos, C. B., Accord, R. E., Tieleman, R. G., Luca, F., Rostagno, C., Renzulli, A., Parise, O., Lorusso, R., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Maessen, J. G. (2014). Maintenance of sinus rhythm after electrical cardioversion for recurrent atrial fibrillation following mitral valve surgery with or without associated radiofrequency ablation. International Journal of Cardiology, 175(2), 290-296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.05.010
    • Kumar, N., Timmermans, C., Das, M., Pison, L., Maessen, J., & Crijns, H. (2014). Re: CT imaging of complications of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. Clinical Radiology, 69(8), e367-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crad.2014.04.009
    • Lankveld, T. A. R., Zeemering, S., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Schotten, U. (2014). The ECG as a tool to determine atrial fibrillation complexity. Heart, 100(14), 1077-1084. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2013-305149
    • Rienstra, M., Vermond, R. A., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Tijssen, J. G. P., & Van Gelder, I. C. (2014). Asymptomatic persistent atrial fibrillation and outcome: Results of the RACE study. Heart Rhythm, 11(6), 939-945. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2014.03.016
    • Kumar, N., Timmermans, C., Pison, L., & Crijns, H. (2014). Hemoptysis Deja Vu for Cryoballoon Use for Pulmonary Vein Isolation for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation. Chest, 145(6), 1435-1435. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.14-0236
    • Aliot, E., Botto, G. L., Crijns, H. J., & Kirchhof, P. (2014). Quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation: how to assess it and how to improve it. EP Europace, 16(6), 787-796. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eut369
    • Krul, S. P. J., Pison, L., La Meir, M., Driessen, A. H. G., Wilde, A. A. M., Maessen, J. G., De Mol, B. A. J. M., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & de Groot, J. R. (2014). Epicardial and endocardial electrophysiological guided thoracoscopic surgery for atrial fibrillation: A multidisciplinary approach of atrial fibrillation ablation in challenging patients. International Journal of Cardiology, 173(2), 229-235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.02.043
    • Versteylen, M. O., Joosen, I. A., Kietselaer, B. L., Wildberger, J. E., Crijns, H. J., & Hofstra, L. (2014). Gender Difference in the Prognostic Value of CTA?JACC-Cardiovascular Imaging, 7(5), 529-530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmg.2013.08.018
    • Dinh, T., Baur, L. H. B., Pisters, R., Kamp, O., Verheugt, F. W. A., Smeets, J. L. R. M., Cheriex, E. C., Lindeboom, J. E., Heesen, W. F., Tieleman, R. G., Prins, M. H., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & TIARA investigators, T. (2014). Aspirin versus vitamin K antagonist treatment guided by transoesophageal echocardiography in patients with atrial fibrillation: a pilot study. Heart, 100(7), 563-568. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2013-305017
    • Crijns, H. J. G. M., Weijs, B., Fairley, A.-M., Lewalter, T., Maggioni, A. P., Martin, A., Ponikowski, P., Rosenqvist, M., Sanders, P., Scanavacca, M., Bash, L. D., Chazelle, F., Bernhardt, A., Gitt, A. K., Lip, G. Y. H., & Le Heuzey, J.-Y. (2014). Contemporary real life cardioversion of atrial fibrillation: Results from the multinational RHYTHM-AF study. International Journal of Cardiology, 172(3), 588-594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.01.099
    • Said, S. A. M., Oortman, R. M., Hofstra, J. .-H., Verhorst, P. M. J., Slart, R. H. J. A., de Haan, M. W., Eerens, F., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2014). Coronary artery-bronchial artery fistulas: report of two Dutch cases with a review of the literature. Netherlands Heart Journal, 22(4), 139-147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-014-0518-z
    • Hendriks, J. M. L., Vrijhoef, H. J. M., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Brunner-La Rocca, H. P. (2014). The effect of a nurse-led integrated chronic care approach on quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 16(4), 491-499. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eut286
    • Spronk, H. M. H., de Jong, A. M., Crijns, H. J., Schotten, U., Van Gelder, I. C., & ten Cate, H. (2014). Pleiotropic effects of factor Xa and thrombin: what to expect from novel anticoagulants. Cardiovascular Research, 101(3), 344-351. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvt343
    • Lip, G. Y. H., Laroche, C., Dan, G.-A., Santini, M., Kalarus, Z., Rasmussen, L. H., Oliveira, M. M., Mairesse, G., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Simantirakis, E., Atar, D., Kirchhof, P., Vardas, P., Tavazzi, L., & Maggioni, A. P. (2014). A prospective survey in European Society of Cardiology member countries of atrial fibrillation management: baseline results of EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot General Registry. EP Europace, 16(3), 308-319. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eut373
    • van Breugel, H. N. A. M., Gelsomino, S., Lozekoot, P. W. J., Accord, R. E., Luca, F., Parise, O., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Maessen, J. G. (2014). Guideline adherence in antithrombotic treatment after concomitant ablation surgery in atrial fibrillation patients. Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, 18(3), 313-320. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivt522
    • Limantoro, I., De Vos, C. B., Delhaas, T., Marcos, E., Blaauw, Y., Weijs, B., Tieleman, R. G., Pisters, R., Schotten, U., Van Gelder, I. C., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2014). Tissue velocity imaging of the left atrium predicts response to flecainide in patients with acute atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm, 11(3), 478-484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2013.12.010
    • Lip, G. Y. H., Gitt, A. K., Le Heuzey, J.-Y., Bash, L. D., Morabito, C. J., Bernhardt, A. A., Sisk, C. M., Chazelle, F., & Crijns, H. J. (2014). Overtreatment and Undertreatment With Anticoagulation in Relation to Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation (the RHYTHM-AF Study). American Journal of Cardiology, 113(3), 480-484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2013.10.036
    • Pisters, R., Hohnloser, S. H., Connolly, S. J., Torp-Pedersen, C., Naditch-Brule, L., Page, R. L., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2014). Effect of dronedarone on clinical end points in patients with atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease: insights from the ATHENA trial. EP Europace, 16(2), 174-181. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eut293
    • Pison, L., Gelsomino, S., Luca, F., Parise, O., Maessen, J. G., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & La Meir, M. (2014). Effectiveness and safety of simultaneous hybrid thoracoscopic and endocardial catheter ablation of lone atrial fibrillation. Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 3(1), 38-44. https://doi.org/10.3978/j.issn.2225-319X.2013.12.10
    • Kumar, N., Timmermans, C., Das, M., Dassen, W., Philippens, S., Maessen, J., & Crijns, H. (2014). Hemoptysis after cryoablation for atrial fibrillation: truth or just a myth?Chest, 146(5). https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.14-1600
    • Zeemering, S., Lankveld, T., Bonizzi, P., Crijns, H., & Schotten, U. (2014). Principal Component Analysis of Body Surface Potential Mapping in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Suggests Additional ECG Lead Locations. Computing in Cardiology Conference, 41(January), 893-896. http://www.cinc.org/archives/2014/
    • van Deursen, C. J. M., Blaauw, Y., Witjens, M. I., Debie, L., Wecke, L., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Prinzen, F. W., & Vernooy, K. (2014). The value of the 12-lead ECG for evaluation and optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy in daily clinical practice. Journal of Electrocardiology, 47(2), 202-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2014.01.007
  • 2013
    • Limantoro, I., Vernooy, K., Weijs, B., Pisters, R., Debie, L., Crijns, H. J., & Blaauw, Y. (2013). Low efficacy of cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation with the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Netherlands Heart Journal, 21(12), 548-553. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-013-0474-z
    • Mulder, B. A., Van Veldhuisen, D. J., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Tijssen, J. G. P., Hillege, H. L., Alings, M., Rienstra, M., Groenveld, H. F., Van den Berg, M. P., & Van Gelder, I. C. (2013). Lenient vs. strict rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure: a post-hoc analysis of the RACE II study. European journal of heart failure, 15(11), 1311-1318. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjhf/hft093
    • Kirchhof, P., Breithardt, G., Aliot, E., Al Khatib, S., Apostolakis, S., Auricchio, A., Bailleul, C., Bax, J., Benninger, G., Blomstrom-Lundqvist, C., Boersma, L., Boriani, G., Brandes, A., Brown, H., Brueckmann, M., Calkins, H., Casadei, B., Clemens, A., Crijns, H., ... Camm, A. J. (2013). Personalized management of atrial fibrillation: Proceedings from the fourth Atrial Fibrillation competence NETwork/European Heart Rhythm Association consensus conference. EP Europace, 15(11), 1540-1556. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eut232
    • Jaarsma, C., Bekkers, B., Haidari, Z., Smulders, M. W., Nelemans, P. J., Gorgels, A. P., Crijns, H. J., Wildberger, J. E., & Schalla, S. (2013). Comparison of Different Electrocardiographic Scoring Systems for Detection of any Previous Myocardial Infarction as Assessed With Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging. American Journal of Cardiology, 112(8), 1069-1074. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2013.05.048
    • Hendriks, J. M. L., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Tieleman, R. G., & Vrijhoef, H. J. M. (2013). The atrial fibrillation knowledge scale: Development, validation and results. International Journal of Cardiology, 168(2), 1422-1428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2012.12.047
    • Berti, D., Hendriks, J. M. L., Brandes, A., Deaton, C., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Camm, A. J., Hindricks, G., Moons, P., & Heidbuchel, H. (2013). A proposal for interdisciplinary, nurse-coordinated atrial fibrillation expert programmes as a way to structure daily practice. European Heart Journal, 34(35), 2725-2730. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/eht096
    • Kirchhof, P., Breithardt, G., Camm, A. J., Crijns, H. J., Kuck, K.-H., Vardas, P., & Wegscheider, K. (2013). Improving outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation: Rationale and design of the Early treatment of Atrial fibrillation for Stroke prevention Trial. American Heart Journal, 166(3), 442-448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2013.05.015
    • La Meir, M., Gelsomino, S., Luca, F., Pison, L., Parise, O., Colella, A., Gensini, G. F., Crijns, H., Wellens, F., & Maessen, J. G. (2013). Minimally invasive surgical treatment of lone atrial fibrillation: Early results of hybrid versus standard minimally invasive approach employing radiofrequency sources. International Journal of Cardiology, 167(4), 1469-1475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2012.04.044
    • Hendriks, J., Tomini, F., van Asselt, T., Crijns, H., & Vrijhoef, H. (2013). Cost-effectiveness of a specialized atrial fibrillation clinic vs. usual care in patients with atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 15(8), 1128-1135. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eut055
    • Borissoff, J. I., Joosen, I. A., Versteylen, M. O., Brill, A., Fuchs, T. A., Savchenko, A. S., Gallant, M., Martinod, K., ten Cate, H., Hofstra, L., Crijns, H. J., Wagner, D. D., & Kietselaer, B. L. J. H. (2013). Elevated Levels of Circulating DNA and Chromatin Are Independently Associated With Severe Coronary Atherosclerosis and a Prothrombotic State. Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, 33(8), 2032-2040. https://doi.org/10.1161/ATVBAHA.113.301627
    • Versteylen, M. O., Joosen, I. A., Winkens, M. H., Laufer, E. M., Snijder, R. J., Wildberger, J. E., Crijns, H. J., Narula, J., & Hofstra, L. (2013). Combined use of exercise electrocardiography, coronary calcium score and cardiac CT angiography for the prediction of major cardiovascular events in patients presenting with stable chest pain. International Journal of Cardiology, 167(1), 121-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2011.12.016
    • Alings, M., Smit, M. D., Moes, M. L., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Tijssen, J. G. P., Brugemann, J., Hillege, H. L., Lane, D. A., Lip, G. Y. H., Smeets, J. R. L. M., Tieleman, R. G., Tukkie, R., Willems, F. F., Vermond, R. A., Van Veldhuisen, D. J., & Van Gelder, I. C. (2013). Routine versus aggressive upstream rhythm control for prevention of early atrial fibrillation in heart failure: background, aims and design of the RACE 3 study. Netherlands Heart Journal, 21(7-8), 354-363. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-013-0428-5
    • Versteylen, M. O., Kietselaer, B. L., Dagnelie, P. C., Joosen, I. A., Dedic, A., Raaijmakers, R. H., Wildberger, J. E., Nieman, K., Crijns, H. J., Niessen, W. J., Daemen, M. J., & Hofstra, L. (2013). Additive Value of Semiautomated Quantification of Coronary Artery Disease Using Cardiac Computed Tomographic Angiography to Predict Future Acute Coronary Syndrome. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 61(22), 2296-2305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2013.02.065
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