Stef Zeemering

Post doc

Dr Stef Zeemering studied Knowledge Engineering at Maastricht University and graduated with a master in Operations Research. After working in the industry as a mathematical consultant, he went on do a PhD at Maastricht University on the topic of sparse optimisation in mathematical systems theory. After a brief return to industry as a scientific software engineer at Maastricht Instruments, he joined the Department of Physiology in 2011. As a post-doc, he investigates how we can measure and quantify the properties of atrial fibrillation (AF). He has particular interests in signal processing, parameter estimation and machine learning techniques applied to the assessment of the complexity of AF, and the prediction of AF progression and outcome, using both measurements obtained directly from the atria, as well as noninvasive measurements such as the electrocardiogram (ECG).

Recently, he started to develop and implement a systems biology approach to the understanding of AF, which is aimed at linking differences in atrial gene expression profiles, as determined by next generation RNA sequencing, to tissue characteristics and patient phenotype. His ambition is to develop a multiscale, patient-specific understanding of AF: starting from the genome and atrial tissue characteristics, all the way up to the electrophysiological properties of the conduction on the atrium and the projection of these conduction patterns on the body surface of a patient, as measured by the ECG.

Department of Physiology
Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht
PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht
Room number: 3.108
T: +31(0)43 388 13 20

 

  • 2024
    • Hermans, B., Özgül, O., Wolf, M., Gonçalves Marques, V., van Hunnik, A., Verheule, S., Chaldoupi, S. M., Linz, D., El Haddad, M., Duytschaever, M., Bonizzi, P., Vernooy, K., Knecht, S., Zeemering, S., & Schotten, U. (2024). Selecting repetitive focal and rotational activation patterns with the highest probability of being a source of atrial fibrillation. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology Plus, 7, Article 100064. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772976124000047
  • 2023
    • Winters, J., Isaacs, A., Zeemering, S., Kawczynski, M., Maesen, B., Maessen, J., Bidar, E., Boukens, B., Hermans, B., van Hunnik, A., Casadei, B., Fabritz, L., Chua, W., Sommerfeld, L., Guasch, E., Mont, L., Batlle, M., Hatem, S., Kirchhof, P., ... Schotten, U. (2023). Heart Failure, Female Sex, and Atrial Fibrillation Are the Main Drivers of Human Atrial Cardiomyopathy: Results From the CATCH ME Consortium. Journal of the American Heart Association, 12(22), Article e031220. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.123.031220
    • Chua, W., Cardoso, V. R., Guasch, E., Sinner, M. F., Al-Taie, C., Brady, P., Casadei, B., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Dudink, E. A. M. P., Hatem, S. N., Kääb, S., Kastner, P., Mont, L., Nehaj, F., Purmah, Y., Reyat, J. S., Schotten, U., Sommerfeld, L. C., Zeemering, S., ... Fabritz, L. (2023). An angiopoietin 2, FGF23, and BMP10 biomarker signature differentiates atrial fibrillation from other concomitant cardiovascular conditions. Scientific Reports, 13(1), Article 16743. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-42331-7
    • Ozgul, O., Hermans, B. JM., van Hunnik, A., Verheule, S., Schotten, U., Bonizzi, P., & Zeemering, S. (2023). High-density and high coverage composite mapping of repetitive atrial activation patterns. Computers in Biology and Medicine, 159(1), Article 106920. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.106920
    • Ganesan, P., Deb, B., Feng, R. B., Rodrigo, M., Ruiperez-Campillo, S., Rogers, A. J., Clopton, P., Wang, P. J., Zeemering, S., Schotten, U., Rappel, W. J., & Narayan, S. M. (2023). Quantifying a spectrum of clinical response in atrial tachyarrhythmias using spatiotemporal synchronization of electrograms. EP Europace, 25(5), Article euad055. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euad055
  • 2022
    • Zeemering, S., Isaacs, A., Winters, J., Maesen, B., Bidar, E., Dimopoulou, C., Guasch, E., Batlle, M., Haase, D., Hatem, S. N., Kara, M., Kääb, S., Mont, L., Sinner, M. F., Wakili, R., Maessen, J., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Fabritz, L., Kirchhof, P., ... Schotten, U. (2022). Atrial fibrillation in the presence and absence of heart failure enhances expression of genes involved in cardiomyocyte structure, conduction properties, fibrosis, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. Heart Rhythm, 19(12), 2115-2124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2022.08.019
    • Kawczynski, M. J., Van De Walle, S., Maesen, B., Isaacs, A., Zeemering, S., Hermans, B., Vernooy, K., Maessen, J. G., Schotten, U., & Bidar, E. (2022). Preoperative P-wave parameters and risk of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of 20,201 patients. Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, 35(4), Article ivac220. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivac220
    • Maesen, B., Verheule, S., Zeemering, S., La Meir, M., Nijs, J., Lumeij, S., Lau, D. H., Granier, M., Crijns, H. J., Maessen, J. G., Dhein, S., & Schotten, U. (2022). Endomysial fibrosis, rather than overall connective tissue content, is the main determinant of conduction disturbances in human atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 24(6), 1015-1024. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euac026
    • Verhaert, D. V. M., Linz, D., Chaldoupi, S. M., Westra, S. W., den Uijl, D. W., Philippens, S., Kerperien, M., Habibi, Z., Vorstermans, B., ter Bekke, R. M. A., Beukema, R. J., Evertz, R., Hemels, M. E. W., Luermans, J. G. L. M., Manusama, R., Lankveld, T. A. R., van der Heijden, C. A. J., Bidar, E., Hermans, B. M., ... Schotten, U. (2022). Rationale and Design of the ISOLATION Study: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study Identifying Predictors for Successful Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in an Integrated Clinical Care and Research Pathway. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 9, Article 879139. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2022.879139
    • Kawczynski, M. J., Zeemering, S., Gilbers, M., Isaacs, A., Verheule, S., Zink, M. D., Maesen, B., Bramer, S., Van Gelder, I. C., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Schotten, U., & Bidar, E. (2022). New-onset perioperative atrial fibrillation in cardiac surgery patients: transient trouble or persistent problem?-Authors' reply. EP Europace, 24(6), 1037-1038. Article 317. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euab317
    • Krist, D., Linz, D., Schotten, U., Zeemering, S., & Leenen, D. (2022). A Novel Laser Energy Ablation Catheter for Endocardial Cavo-Tricuspid Isthmus Ablation and Epicardial Ventricular Lesion Formation: An in vivo Proof-of-Concept Study. Frontiers in Medical Technology, 4, Article 834856. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmedt.2022.834856
    • Zink, M. D., Laureanti, R., Hermans, B. J. M., Pison, L., Verheule, S., Philippens, S., Pluymaekers, N., Vroomen, M., Hermans, A., van Hunnik, A., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Vernooy, K., Linz, D., Mainardi, L., Auricchio, A., Zeemering, S., & Schotten, U. (2022). Extended ECG Improves Classification of Paroxysmal and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Based on P- and f-Waves. Frontiers in physiology, 13, Article 779826. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.779826
    • Gonçalves Marques, V., Gharaviri, A., Pezzuto, S., Bonizzi, P., Zeemering, S., & Schotten, U. (2022). Repetitive Conduction Patterns in Atrial Fibrillation: Spatial Relationship with Re-Entrant Drivers. Heart Rhythm, 19(5), S397-S398.
  • 2021
    • Bidar, E., Zeemering, S., Gilbers, M., Isaacs, A., Verheule, S., Zink, M. D., Maesen, B., Bramer, S., Kawczynski, M., Van Gelder, I. C., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Maessen, J. G., & Schotten, U. (2021). Clinical and electrophysiological predictors of device-detected new-onset atrial fibrillation during 3 years after cardiac surgery. EP Europace, 23(12), 1922-1930. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euab136
    • Gatta, G., Sobota, V., Citerni, C., Diness, J. G., Sorensen, U. S., Jespersen, T., Bentzen, B. H., Zeemering, S., Kuiper, M., Verheule, S., Schotten, U., & van Hunnik, A. (2021). Effective termination of atrial fibrillation by SK channel inhibition is associated with a sudden organization of fibrillatory conduction. EP Europace, 23(11), 1847-1859. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euab125
    • Hermans, A. N. L., Pluymaekers, N. A. H. A., Lankveld, T. A. R., van Mourik, M. J. W., Zeemering, S., Dinh, T., den Uijl, D. W., Luermans, J. G. L. M., Vernooy, K., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Schotten, U., & Linz, D. (2021). Clinical utility of rhythm control by electrical cardioversion to assess the association between self-reported symptoms and rhythm status in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. IJC Heart and Vasculature, 36, Article 100870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcha.2021.100870
    • van Hunnik, A., Zeemering, S., Podziemski, P., Kuklik, P., Kuiper, M., Verheule, S., & Schotten, U. (2021). Bi-atrial high-density mapping reveals inhibition of wavefront turning and reduction of complex propagation patterns as main antiarrhythmic mechanisms of vernakalant. EP Europace, 23(7), 1114-1123. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euab026
    • Dudink, E. A. M. P., Bidar, E., Jacobs, J., van Hunnik, A., Zeemering, S., Weijs, B., Luermans, J. G. L. M., Maesen, B. A. E., Cheriex, E. C., Maessen, J. G., Hoorntje, J. C. A., Schotten, U., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Verheule, S. (2021). The relation between the atrial blood supply and the complexity of acute atrial fibrillation. IJC Heart & Vasculature, 34, Article 100794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcha.2021.100794
    • Gilbers, M. D., Bidar, E., Maesen, B., Zeemering, S., Isaacs, A., Crijns, H., van Gelder, I., Rienstra, M., Verheule, S., Maessen, J., Stoll, M., & Schotten, U. (2021). Reappraisal of Atrial fibrillation: interaction between hyperCoagulability, Electrical remodelling and Vascular destabilisation in the progression of AF (RACE V) Tissue Bank Project: study design. Netherlands Heart Journal, 29(5), 280-287. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-021-01538-x
    • Schotten, U., Lee, S., Zeemering, S., & Waldo, A. L. (2021). Paradigm shifts in electrophysiological mechanisms of atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 23, II9-II13. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euaa384
    • van Rosmalen, F., Maesen, B., van Hunnik, A., Hermans, B. J. M., Bonizzi, P., Bidar, E., Nijs, J., Maessen, J. G., Verheule, S., Delhaas, T., Schotten, U., & Zeemering, S. (2021). Incidence, prevalence, and trajectories of repetitive conduction patterns in human atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 23(Supplement_1), i123-i132. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euaa403
    • Gharaviri, A., Pezzuto, S., Potse, M., Conte, G., Zeemering, S., Sobota, V., Verheule, S., Krause, R., Auricchio, A., & Schotten, U. (2021). Synergistic antiarrhythmic effect of inward rectifier current inhibition and pulmonary vein isolation in a 3D computer model for atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 23, I161-I168. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euaa413
    • Fabritz, L., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Guasch, E., Goette, A., Häusler, K. G., Kotecha, D., Lewalter, T., Meyer, C., Potpara, T. S., Rienstra, M., Schnabel, R. B., Willems, S., Breithardt, G., Camm, A. J., Chan, A., Chua, W., de Melis, M., Dimopoulou, C., Dobrev, D., ... Kirchhof, P. (2021). Dynamic risk assessment to improve quality of care in patients with atrial fibrillation: the 7th AFNET/EHRA Consensus Conference. EP Europace, 23(3), 329-344. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euaa279
  • 2020
    • Winters, J., von Braunmuhl, M. E., Zeemering, S., Gilbers, M., Ten Brink, T., Scaf, B., Guasch, E., Mont, L., Batlle, M., Sinner, M., Hatem, S., Mansour, M. K., Fabritz, L., Sommerfeld, L. C., Kirchhof, P., Isaacs, A., Stoll, M., Schotten, U., & Verheule, S. (2020). JavaCyte, a novel open-source tool for automated quantification of key hallmarks of cardiac structural remodeling. Scientific Reports, 10(1), Article 20074. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-76932-3
    • Zeemering, S., van Hunnik, A., van Rosmalen, F., Bonizzi, P., Scaf, B., Delhaas, T., Verheule, S., & Schotten, U. (2020). A Novel Tool for the Identification and Characterization of Repetitive Patterns in High-Density Contact Mapping of Atrial Fibrillation. Frontiers in physiology, 11, Article 570118. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.570118
    • Zink, M. D., Chua, W., Zeemering, S., di Biase, L., Antoni, B. D., David, C., Hindricks, G., Haeusler, K. G., Al-Khalidi, H. R., Piccini, J. P., Mont, L., Nielsen, J. C., Escobar, L. A., de Bono, J., Van Gelder, I. C., de Potter, T., Scherr, D., Themistoclakis, S., Todd, D., ... Schotten, U. (2020). Predictors of recurrence of atrial fibrillation within the first 3 months after ablation. EP Europace, 22(9), 1337-1344. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euaa132
    • Bonizzi, P., Meste, O., Zeemering, S., Karel, J., Lankveld, T., Crijns, H., Schotten, U., & Peeters, R. (2020). A novel framework for noninvasive analysis of short-term atrial activity dynamics during persistent atrial fibrillation. Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing, 58(9), 1933-1945. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-020-02190-0
    • Heckman, L. I. B., Kuiper, M., Anselme, F., Ziglio, F., Shan, N., Jung, M., Zeemering, S., Vernooy, K., & Prinzen, F. W. (2020). Evaluating multisite pacing strategies in cardiac resynchronization therapy in the preclinical setting. Heart Rhythm O2, 1(2), 111-119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hroo.2020.03.003
    • Gharaviri, A., Bidar, E., Potse, M., Zeemering, S., Verheule, S., Pezzuto, S., Krause, R., Maessen, J. G., Auricchio, A., & Schotten, U. (2020). Epicardial Fibrosis Explains Increased Endo-Epicardial Dissociation and Epicardial Breakthroughs in Human Atrial Fibrillation. Frontiers in physiology, 11, Article 68. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.00068
  • 2019
    • Bonizzi, P., Peeters, R., Zeemering, S., van Hunnik, A., Meste, O., & Karel, J. (2019). Detection of Spatio-Temporal Recurrent Patterns in Dynamical Systems. Frontiers in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, 5(36), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fams.2019.00036
  • 2018
    • Podziemski, P., Zeemering, S., Kuklik, P., van Hunnik, A., Maesen, B., Maessen, J., Crijns, H. J., Verheule, S., & Schotten, U. (2018). Rotors Detected by Phase Analysis of Filtered, Epicardial Atrial Fibrillation Electrograms Colocalize With Regions of Conduction Block. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 11(10), Article e005858. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.117.005858
    • Manninger, M., Zweiker, D., van Hunnik, A., Alogna, A., Prassl, A. J., Schipke, J., Zeemering, S., Zirngast, B., Schonleitner, P., Schwarzl, M., Herbst, V., Thon-Gutschi, E., Huber, S., Rohrer, U., Ebner, J., Brussee, H., Pieske, B. M., Heinzel, F. R., Verheule, S., ... Scherr, D. (2018). Arterial hypertension drives arrhythmia progression via specific structural remodeling in a porcine model of atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm, 15(9), 1328-1336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2018.05.016
    • van Hunnik, A., Zeemering, S., Podziemski, P., Simons, J., Gatta, G., Hannink, L., Maesen, B., Kuiper, M., Verheule, S., & Schotten, U. (2018). Stationary Atrial Fibrillation Properties in the Goat Do Not Entail Stable or Recurrent Conduction Patterns. Frontiers in physiology, 9, Article 947. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.00947
    • Zeemering, S., Lankveld, T. A. R., Bonizzi, P., Limantoro, I., Bekkers, S. C. A. M., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Schotten, U. (2018). The electrocardiogram as a predictor of successful pharmacological cardioversion and progression of atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 20(7), E96-E104. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eux234