Publications
Below you can find a list of our published research.
Below you can find a list of our published research.
28 results
Cited 1 times since 2023 (2.4 per year) source: EuropePMC
European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Volume 64, Issue 5, 1 1 2023, Pages ezad291 Aortic valve visualization and pressurization device: a novel device for intraoperative evaluation of aortic valve repair procedures. Arabkhani B, Sandker SC, Braun J, Hjortnaes J, van Brakel TJ, Koolbergen DR, Klautz RJM, Hazekamp MG
Objectives: Aortic valve repair procedures are technically challenging, and current intraoperative evaluation methods often fail to predict the final echocardiographic result. We have developed a novel intraoperative aortic valve visualization and pressurization (AVP) device, enabling valve inspection under physiological conditions, and measuring aortic valve insufficiency (AI) during cardioplegic arrest. Methods: The AVP device is attached to the (neo)aorta, after any type of aortic valve repai... Abstract
Cited 3 times since 2023 (3.9 per year) source: EuropePMC
Journal of internal medicine, Volume 294, Issue 3, 21 3 2023, Pages 347-357 Light transmittance in human atrial tissue and transthoracic illumination in rats support translatability of optogenetic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation. Nyns ECA, Portero V, Deng S, Jin T, Harlaar N, Bart CI, van Brakel TJ, Palmen M, Hjortnaes J, Ramkisoensing AA, Zhang GQ, Poelma RH, Ördög B, de Vries AAF, Pijnappels DA
Background: Optogenetics could offer a solution to the current lack of an ambulatory method for the rapid automated cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF), but key translational aspects remain to be studied. Objective: To investigate whether optogenetic cardioversion of AF is effective in the aged heart and whether sufficient light penetrates the human atrial wall. Methods: Atria of adult and aged rats were optogenetically modified to express light-gated ion channels (i.e., red-activatable ch... Abstract
Cited 7 times since 2023 (6.1 per year) source: EuropePMC
European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Volume 63, Issue 2, 1 1 2023, Pages ezac514 A multicentre, propensity score matched analysis comparing a valve-sparing approach to valve replacement in aortic root aneurysm: Insight from the AVIATOR database. Arabkhani B, Klautz RJM, de Heer F, De Kerchove L, El Khoury G, Lansac E, Schäfers HJ, El-Hamamsy I, Lenoir M, Aramendi JI, Meuris B, Verbrugghe P, Kluin J, Koolbergen DR, Bouchot O, Rudez I, Kolesar A, van Brakel TJ
Objectives: Our goal was to evaluate the outcome of valve-sparing root replacement (VSRR) and to compare the outcomes to those of patients having composite valve-graft conduit aortic root replacement (CVG-ARR) in a cohort of patients with aortic root aneurysm ± valve insufficiency, without valvular stenosis. Although valve-sparing procedures are preferable in young patients, there is a lack of comparative data in comparable patients. Methods: The VSRR procedures were performed in 2005 patients,... Abstract
Cited 1 times since 2022 (0.6 per year) source: EuropePMC
The Annals of thoracic surgery, Volume 115, Issue 6, 21 3 2022, Pages 1396-1402 The Aortic Root in Acute Type A Dissection: Repair or Replace? Arabkhani B, Verhoef J, Tomšič A, van Brakel TJ, Hjortnaes J, Klautz RJM
Background: The effect of an "aggressive" approach on the aortic root in acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) remains insufficiently explored. Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted between 1992 and 2020 of a single-center, prospective cohort of consecutive patients aged ≥18 years diagnosed with ATAAD. Patients were divided into 2 groups: aortic root replacement (ARR; prosthetic or valve-sparing root replacement, n = 141) and conservative root approach (CRA; root sparing of pa... Abstract
Cited 5 times since 2022 (2.9 per year) source: EuropePMC
Cardiovascular research, Volume 118, Issue 10, 1 1 2022, Pages 2293-2303 Optical ventricular cardioversion by local optogenetic targeting and LED implantation in a cardiomyopathic rat model. Nyns ECA, Jin T, Fontes MS, van den Heuvel T, Portero V, Ramsey C, Bart CI, Zeppenfeld K, Schalij MJ, van Brakel TJ, Ramkisoensing AA, Zhang G, Poelma RH, Ördög B, de Vries AAF, Pijnappels DA
Aims: Ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTs) are common in the pathologically remodelled heart. These arrhythmias can be lethal, necessitating acute treatment like electrical cardioversion to restore normal rhythm. Recently, it has been proposed that cardioversion may also be realized via optically controlled generation of bioelectricity by the arrhythmic heart itself through optogenetics and therefore without the need of traumatizing high-voltage shocks. However, crucial mechanistic and translation... Abstract
Cited 1 times since 2022 (0.5 per year) source: EuropePMC
Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, Volume 34, Issue 6, 1 1 2022, Pages 990-998 Long-term follow-up of thoracoscopic ablation in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. Harlaar N, Oudeman MA, Trines SA, de Ruiter GS, Mertens BJ, Khan M, Klautz RJM, Zeppenfeld K, Tjon A, Braun J, van Brakel TJ
Objectives: Catheter ablation of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) remains challenging, with suboptimal success rates obtained following multiple procedures. Thoracoscopic ablation has shown effective at creating transmural lesions around the pulmonary veins and box; however, long-term rhythm follow-up data are lacking. This study aims, for the first time, to assess the long-term outcomes of thoracoscopic pulmonary vein and box ablation in LSPAF. Methods: Rhythm follow-up cons... Abstract
American heart journal, Volume 249, 15 3 2022, Pages 66-75 Computed tomography follow-up after elective proximal aortic surgery: Less is more? de Oliveira Marreiros DJ, Tomšič A, van Brakel TJ, Hamming JF, Scholte AJHA, Hjortnaes J, Klautz RJM
Study objective: The added value of computed tomography (CT) follow-up after elective proximal aortic surgery is unclear. We evaluated the benefit of CT follow-up by assessing the incidence of aorta-related complications and reinterventions detected during routine CT follow-up. Methods: Data on 314 patients undergoing first time elective proximal aortic surgery between 2000 and 2015 were collected. The primary study end points were aorta-related complications and reinterventions, detected during... Abstract
Cited 11 times since 2022 (4.9 per year) source: EuropePMC
Nature biomedical engineering, Volume 6, Issue 4, 6 1 2022, Pages 389-402 Conditional immortalization of human atrial myocytes for the generation of in vitro models of atrial fibrillation. Harlaar N, Dekker SO, Zhang J, Snabel RR, Veldkamp MW, Verkerk AO, Fabres CC, Schwach V, Lerink LJS, Rivaud MR, Mulder AA, Corver WE, Goumans MJTH, Dobrev D, Klautz RJM, Schalij MJ, Veenstra GJC, Passier R, van Brakel TJ, Pijnappels DA, de Vries AAF
The lack of a scalable and robust source of well-differentiated human atrial myocytes constrains the development of in vitro models of atrial fibrillation (AF). Here we show that fully functional atrial myocytes can be generated and expanded one-quadrillion-fold via a conditional cell-immortalization method relying on lentiviral vectors and the doxycycline-controlled expression of a recombinant viral oncogene in human foetal atrial myocytes, and that the immortalized cells can be used to generat... Abstract
Cited 1 times since 2021 (0.4 per year) source: EuropePMC
Cells, Volume 10, Issue 8, 12 2 2021, Pages 2064 Generation, Characterization, and Application of Inducible Proliferative Adult Human Epicardium-Derived Cells. Ge Y, Smits AM, Liu J, Zhang J, van Brakel TJ, Goumans MJTH, Jongbloed MRM, de Vries AAF
Rationale: In recent decades, the great potential of human epicardium-derived cells (EPDCs) as an endogenous cell source for cardiac regeneration has been recognized. The limited availability and low proliferation capacity of primary human EPDCs and phenotypic differences between EPDCs obtained from different individuals hampers their reproducible use for experimental studies. Aim: To generate and characterize inducible proliferative adult human EPDCs for use in fundamental and applied research.... Abstract
Cited 10 times since 2021 (3.5 per year) source: EuropePMC
Journal of the American Heart Association, Volume 10, Issue 12, 2 1 2021, Pages e020080 Extent of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Stenotic Bicuspid Versus Tricuspid Aortic Valves. Dolmaci OB, Legué J, Lindeman JHN, Driessen AHG, Klautz RJM, Van Brakel TJ, Siebelink HJ, Mertens BJA, Poelmann RE, Gittenberger-de Groot AC, Grewal N
Background Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital cardiac malformation, which is often complicated by aortic valve stenosis (AoS). In tricuspid aortic valve (TAV), AoS strongly associates with coronary artery disease (CAD) with common pathophysiological factors. Yet, it remains unclear whether AoS in patients with BAV is also associated with CAD. This study investigated the association between the aortic valve morphological features and the extent of CAD. Methods and Results A... Abstract
Cited 12 times since 2021 (3.8 per year) source: EuropePMC
Journal of cardiovascular development and disease, Volume 8, Issue 2, 27 4 2021, Pages 12 A Systematic Histopathologic Evaluation of Type-A Aortic Dissections Implies a Uniform Multiple-Hit Causation. Grewal N, Velders BJJ, Gittenberger-de Groot AC, Poelmann R, Klautz RJM, Van Brakel TJ, Lindeman JHN
(1) Background: The pathophysiologic basis of an acute type A aortic dissection (TAAD) is largely unknown. In an effort to evaluate vessel wall defects, we systematically studied aortic specimens in TAAD patients. (2) Methods: Ascending aortic wall specimens (n = 58, mean age 63 years) with TAAD were collected. Autopsy tissues (n = 17, mean age 63 years) served as controls. All sections were studied histopathologically. (3) Results: Pathomorphology in TAAD showed predominantly moderate elastic f... Abstract
Cited 7 times since 2020 (2 per year) source: EuropePMC
European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Volume 58, Issue 3, 1 1 2020, Pages 544-550 A structured approach to native mitral valve infective endocarditis: Is repair better than replacement? Defauw RJ, Tomšič A, van Brakel TJ, Marsan NA, Klautz RJM, Palmen M
Objectives: Mitral valve repair in native active infective endocarditis is technically challenging. The survival benefit over valve replacement is poorly established and possibly absent because of the high risk of repair failure and reoperation. In this study, we explore the results of our structured approach in these patients. Methods: Between January 2000 and January 2017, 149 patients underwent surgery for native mitral infective endocarditis. Among them, 97 (66%) patients underwent valve rep... Abstract
Cited 6 times since 2020 (1.5 per year) source: EuropePMC
Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology, Volume 143, 8 2 2020, Pages 26-37 Human epicardium-derived cells reinforce cardiac sympathetic innervation. Ge Y, Smits AM, van Munsteren JC, Gittenberger-de Groot AC, Poelmann RE, van Brakel TJ, Schalij MJ, Goumans MJ, DeRuiter MC, Jongbloed MRM
Rationale: After cardiac damage, excessive neurite outgrowth (sympathetic hyperinnervation) can occur, which is related to ventricular arrhythmias/sudden cardiac death. Post-damage reactivation of epicardium causes epicardium-derived cells (EPDCs) to acquire a mesenchymal character, contributing to cardiac regeneration. Whether EPDCs also contribute to cardiac re/hyperinnervation, is unknown. Aim: To investigate whether mesenchymal EPDCs influence cardiac sympathetic innervation. Methods and res... Abstract
Cited 3 times since 2020 (0.7 per year) source: EuropePMC
European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Volume 57, Issue 2, 1 1 2020, Pages 293-299 Risk factors and clinical significance of elevated mitral valve gradient following valve repair for degenerative disease. Tomšič A, Hiemstra YL, Arabkhani B, Mertens BJA, van Brakel TJ, Versteegh MIM, Marsan NA, Klautz RJM, Palmen M
Objectives: The risk factors and clinical effect of elevated mitral valve (MV) gradients after valve repair for degenerative valve disease remain insufficiently understood. Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2015, a total of 484 patients underwent valve repair for degenerative disease. A true-sized full annuloplasty ring was implanted in all cases. We analysed the effect of preoperative and intraoperative factors on the postrepair gradient. Additionally, we explored the effect of postrep... Abstract
Cited 3 times since 2019 (0.7 per year) source: EuropePMC
The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, Volume 160, Issue 2, 28 4 2019, Pages 399-405 Clamping versus nonclamping thoracoscopic box ablation in long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. Harlaar N, Verberkmoes NJ, van der Voort PH, Trines SA, Verstraeten SE, Mertens BJA, Klautz RJM, Braun J, van Brakel TJ
Objective: To compare clinical outcomes of clamping devices and linear nonclamping devices for isolation of the posterior left atrium (box) in thoracoscopic ablation of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. Methods: Eighty patients who underwent thoracoscopic pulmonary vein and box isolation using a bipolar clamping device (42 patients) or bipolar nonclamping device (38 patients) to create the roof/inferior lesions for box isolation were included from 2 centers. Follow-up consisted of 24... Abstract
Cited 9 times since 2019 (1.8 per year) source: EuropePMC
The Annals of thoracic surgery, Volume 108, Issue 1, 2 1 2019, Pages 167-174 Multicenter Phase II Clinical Trial of Isolated Lung Perfusion in Patients With Lung Metastases. Beckers PAJ, Versteegh MIM, Van Brakel TJ, Braun J, Van Putte B, Maat APWM, Vergauwen W, Rodrigus I, Den Hengst W, Lardon F, De Bruijn E, Guetens G, De Boeck G, Gielis JF, Lauwers P, Denissen L, Hendriks JMH, Van Schil PE
Background: Up to 66% of patients show local pulmonary disease progression after pulmonary metastasectomy. Regional treatment with isolated lung perfusion (ILuP) may improve local control with minimal systemic adverse effects. The aims of this study were to evaluate local and distant control after ILuP, determine the effect on overall survival compared with historical controls, and confirm the safety and feasibility of ILuP. Methods: A total of 107 patients with resectable pulmonary metastases o... Abstract
Cited 24 times since 2019 (4.7 per year) source: EuropePMC
Science translational medicine, Volume 11, Issue 481, 1 1 2019, Pages eaau6447 An automated hybrid bioelectronic system for autogenous restoration of sinus rhythm in atrial fibrillation. Nyns ECA, Poelma RH, Volkers L, Plomp JJ, Bart CI, Kip AM, van Brakel TJ, Zeppenfeld K, Schalij MJ, Zhang GQ, de Vries AAF, Pijnappels DA
Because of suboptimal therapeutic strategies, restoration of sinus rhythm in symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) often requires in-hospital delivery of high-voltage shocks, thereby precluding ambulatory AF termination. Continuous, rapid restoration of sinus rhythm is desired given the recurring and progressive nature of AF. Here, we present an automated hybrid bioelectronic system for shock-free termination of AF that enables the heart to act as an electric current generator for autogenous rest... Abstract
Cited 7 times since 2018 (1.3 per year) source: EuropePMC
The Annals of thoracic surgery, Volume 107, Issue 4, 6 1 2018, Pages 1195-1201 Outcomes of Valve Repair for Degenerative Disease in Patients With Mitral Annular Calcification. Tomšič A, Hiemstra YL, van Brakel TJ, Versteegh MIM, Marsan NA, Klautz RJM, Palmen M
Background: The risk factors for the development of mitral annular calcification (MAC) in degenerative mitral valve disease and the effect it may have on patient-and valve-related outcomes require further evaluation. Methods: Between January 2002 and December 2015, 627 patients underwent mitral valve operations for degenerative disease. MAC was seen in 75 patients (12%); 73 (97%) underwent valve repair (6 without annuloplasty ring implantation) and 2 (3%) underwent valve replacement after an uns... Abstract
Cited 2 times since 2018 (0.4 per year) source: EuropePMC
The Journal of cardiovascular surgery, Volume 60, Issue 1, 29 5 2018, Pages 111-118 Excessive leaflet tissue in mitral valve repair for isolated posterior leaflet prolapse-leaflet resection or shortening neochords? A propensity score adjusted comparison. Tomšič A, Hiemstra YL, van Brakel TJ, Versteegh MI, Ajmone Marsan N, Klautz RJ, Palmen M
Background: Chordal replacement techniques are progressively used to treat posterior mitral valve leaflet (PMVL) prolapse while leaflet resection remains commonly in use to address excessive leaflet tissue. For excessive tissue in height, shortening neochords can be used alternatively. Use of chordal replacement techniques has been suggested to result in lower diastolic transvalvular gradients, higher freedom from reoperation and improved left ventricular function. Methods: From 1/2005 to 12/201... Abstract
Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, Volume 27, Issue 1, 1 1 2018, Pages 124-130 Papillary muscle head repositioning for commissural prolapse in degenerative mitral valve disease. Tomšic A, Klautz RJM, van Brakel TJ, Ajmone Marsan N, Versteegh MIM, Palmen M
Objectives: Surgical correction of commissural mitral valve prolapse can be challenging. Several surgical techniques, including commissural closure, leaflet resection with sliding plasty and chordal replacement, remain commonly in use. Conversely, papillary muscle head repositioning remains uncommonly utilized for the treatment of commissural prolapse. Methods: Between January 2003 and December 2015, 518 patients underwent primary mitral valve repair for severe degenerative mitral valve regurgit... Abstract