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Prof. Kevin Vernooy Director HVC

Prof. Kevin Vernooy Director HVC

30 April 2024

Prof. Kevin Vernooy will become the medical director of the Heart+Vascular Center (HVC) at Maastricht UMC+.

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Professorship Julie Staals

Professorship Julie Staals

22 April 2024

Dr Julie Staals (Dept. of Neurology) has been appointed as professor 'Neurovascular disease' as of 1 April 2024.

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Carim Maastricht
Carim Maastricht

Hans-Peter Brunner-La Rocca

Professor

Prof. Hans-Peter Brunner-La Rocca has graduated in medicine at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. He was trained in Internal Medicine and Cardiology in Switzerland. After doing a post-doc in Melbourne, Australia, for two years, he had been working as cardiologist and heart failure specialist in Zurich. In 2002, he moved to Basel, where he was responsible for the heart failure and heart transplant services. He has obtained his lecture qualification both in Zurich and in Basel and was announced as Professor in Basel Switzerland in 2008. Since 2009, he has been working at Maastricht UMC+ as Professor of Clinical Heart Failure. He is head of the heart failure clinic and head of the division of structural heart diseases.

He has been involved in numerous research projects since many years. In particular, he has a special interest in personalised medicine in heart failure using biomarkers and has successfully led international studies related to this topic. In addition, eHealth is an important focus of research. He has published >250 research articles.

He has been working as member of different working groups of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology and is board member of working group on heart failure in the Netherlands.

On the one hand, he is continuing his research on biomarker in heart failure for therapy guidance. He is collaborating internationally on this topic and is participating in several large international projects in this regard. On the other hand, he is leading an international consortium, aiming to develop a personalized eHealth application to enable patients with heart failure to perform self-care, i.e. including self-prescription of medication. Recently, the consortium received 4.4 M€ to support this project from INTERREG-NWE (budget Maastricht UMC+ > 2.0 M€).

He is additionally involved in national research projects (e.g. heart-brain connection, supported by CVON) and is the local PI of several large industry sponsored RCTs. In one of them, he is the national coordinator for the Netherlands.

Hans-peter-brunner-la-rocca

Department of Cardiology
P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX Maastricht 
PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht
Room number: 3.B2.031
T: +31(0)43 387 70 97

  • 2015
    • Kaufmann, B. A., Goetschalckx, K., Min, S. Y., Maeder, M. T., Bucher, U., Nietlispach, F., Bernheim, A. M., Pfisterer, M. E., Brunner-La Rocca, H. P., & TIME-CHF Investigators, T. (2015). Improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction and reverse remodeling in elderly heart failure patients on intense NT-proBNP-guided therapy. International Journal of Cardiology, 191, 286-293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.04.282
    • van Empel, V., & Brunner-La Rocca, H. P. (2015). Inflammation in HFpEF: Key or circumstantial?International Journal of Cardiology, 189, 259-263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.04.110
    • Altara, R., Manca, M., Hermans, K. C., Daskalopoulos, E. P., Brunner-La Rocca, H. P., Hermans, R. J., Struijker-Boudier, H. A. J., & Blankesteijn, M. W. (2015). Diurnal rhythms of serum and plasma cytokine profiles in healthy elderly individuals assessed using membrane based multiplexed immunoassay. Journal of Translational Medicine, 13, Article 129. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-015-0477-1
    • Zurek, M., Maeder, M. T., Rickli, H., Muzzarelli, S., Sanders-van Wijk, S., Abbühl, H., Handschin, R., Jeker, U., Pfisterer, M. E., Brunner-La Rocca, H. P., & TIME-CHF Investigators, T. (2015). Differential Prognostic Impact of Resting Heart Rate in Older Compared With Younger Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: Insights From TIME-CHF. Journal of Cardiac Failure, 21(4), 347-354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cardfail.2014.12.014
    • Schalla, S., Jaarsma, C., Bekkers, S. C., Waltenberger, J., Dennert, R., Crijns, H. J., Wildberger, J., Heymans, S., & Brunner-La Rocca, H. P. (2015). Right ventricular function in dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart disease: assessment with non-invasive imaging. Netherlands Heart Journal, 23(4), 232-240. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-015-0673-x
    • Brunner-La Rocca, H. P., & Crijns, H. J. (2015). Iron i.v. in heart failure: ready for implementation?European Heart Journal, 36(11), 645-647. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehu392
    • Gandhi, P. U., Motiwala, S. R., Belcher, A. M., Gaggin, H. K., Weiner, R. B., Baggish, A. L., Fiuzat, M., Rocca, H.-P. B.-L., & Januzzi, J. L. . J. (2015). Galectin-3 and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist use in patients with chronic heart failure due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. American Heart Journal, 169(3), 404-411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2014.12.012
    • Berry, M., Galinier, M., Delmas, C., Fournier, P., Desmoulin, F., Turkieh, A., Mischak, H., Mullen, W., Barutaut, M., Eurlings, L. W., Van Wijk, S., Rocca, H.-P. B.-L., Caubere, C., Butler, J., Roncalli, J., Evaristi, M. F., Cohen-Solal, A., Seronde, M.-F., Escamilla, R., ... Rouet, P. (2015). Proteomics analysis reveals IGFBP2 as a candidate diagnostic biomarker for heart failure. International Journal of Cardiology - Metabolic & Endocrine, 6, 5-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcme.2014.11.003
    • Van Wijk, S., Van Empel, V., Davarzani, N., Maeder, M. T., Muzzarelli, S., Jeker, U., Dieterle, T., Handschin, R., Kiencke, S., Pfisterer, M. E., Brunner-La Rocca, H. P., & investigators, F. T. TIME.-CHF. (2015). Circulating biomarkers of distinct pathophysiological pathways in heart failure with preserved vs. reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. European journal of heart failure, 17(10), 1006-1014. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejhf.414
    • Cardinaels, E. P. M., Daamen, M. A. M. J., Bekers, O., ten Kate, J., Niens, M., van Suijlen, J. D. E., van Dieijen-Visser, M. P., Brunner-La Rocca, H. P., Schols, J. M. G. A., & Mingels, A. M. A. (2015). Clinical Interpretation of Elevated Concentrations of Cardiac Troponin T, but Not Troponin I, in Nursing Home Residents. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 16(10), 884-891. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2015.06.026
    • Brunner-La Rocca, H. P., Knackstedt, C., Eurlings, L., Rolny, V., Krause, F., Pfisterer, M. E., Tobler, D., Rickenbacher, P., Maeder, M. T., & TIME-CHF Investigators, T. (2015). Impact of worsening renal function related to medication in heart failure. European journal of heart failure, 17(2), 159-168. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejhf.210
    • van Aelst, L. N., Voss, S., Carai, P., van Leeuwen, R., Vanhoutte, D., Sanders-van Wijk, S., Eurlings, L., Swinnen, M., Verheyen, F. K., Verbeken, E., Nef, H., Troidl, C., Cook, S. A., Brunner-La Rocca, H. P., Möllmann, H., Papageorgiou, A. P., & Heymans, S. (2015). Osteoglycin prevents cardiac dilatation and dysfunction after myocardial infarction through infarct collagen strengthening. Circulation Research, 116(3), 425-436. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.116.304599
    • Varon, C., Alao, M., Mintert, J., Stapleton, M., Thomson, S., Jaecques, S., Brunner-La Rocca, H. P., & Huffel, S. V. (2015). Telehealth on heart failure: results of the Recap project. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 21(6), 340-347. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X15577310
    • Brunner-La Rocca, H., & Bektas, S. (2015). Biomarker guided therapy in chronic heart failure. Cardiac Failure Review, 1(2), 96-101. https://doi.org/10.15420/cfr.2015.1.2.96
  • 2014
    • Eurlings, L. W., Sanders-van Wijk, S., van Kraaij, D. J. W., van Kimmenade, R., Meeder, J. G., Kamp, O., van Dieijen-Visser, M. P., Tijssen, J. G. P., Brunner-La Rocca, H.-P., & Pinto, Y. M. (2014). Risk stratification with the use of serial N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide measurements during admission and early after discharge in heart failure patients: post hoc analysis of the PRIMA study. Journal of Cardiac Failure, 20(12), 881-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cardfail.2014.08.014
    • Jacobs, L., Thijs, L., Jin, Y., Zannad, F., Mebazaa, A., Rouet, P., Pinet, F., Bauters, C., Pieske, B., Tomaschitz, A., Mamas, M., Diez, J., McDonald, K., Cleland, J. G. F., Brunner-La Rocca, H.-P., Heymans, S., Latini, R., Masson, S., Sever, P., ... Staessen, J. A. (2014). Heart 'omics' in AGEing (HOMAGE): design, research objectives and characteristics of the common database. Journal of Biomedical Research, 28(5), 349-59. https://doi.org/10.7555/JBR.28.20140045
    • Troughton, R. W., Frampton, C. M., Brunner-La Rocca, H.-P., Pfisterer, M., Eurlings, L. W. M., Erntell, H., Persson, H., O'Connor, C. M., Moertl, D., Karlstrom, P., Dahlstrom, U., Gaggin, H. K., Januzzi, J. L., Berger, R., Richards, A. M., Pinto, Y. M., & Nicholls, M. G. (2014). Effect of B-type natriuretic peptide-guided treatment of chronic heart failure on total mortality and hospitalization: an individual patient meta-analysis. European Heart Journal, 35(23), 1559-1567. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehu090
    • Bekkers, S. C. A. M., & Brunner-La Rocca, H. P. (2014). Elderly primary care hypertension patients-who to refer for echocardiography?Netherlands Heart Journal, 22(5), 231-233. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-014-0550-z
    • Kriemler, S., Buergi, F., Wick, C., Wick, B., Keller, M., Wiget, U., Schindler, C., Kaufmann, B. A., Kohler, M., Bloch, K., & Brunner-La Rocca, H.-P. (2014). Prevalence of Acute Mountain Sickness at 3500 m Within and Between Families: A Prospective Cohort Study. High Altitude Medicine & Biology, 15(1), 28-38. https://doi.org/10.1089/ham.2013.1073
    • 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
    • Sanders-van Wijk, S., van Empel, V., Knackstedt, C., & Brunner-La Rocca, H.-P. (2014). Heart failure and COPD: Time to SHIFT?International Journal of Cardiology, 172(2), 293-294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2013.12.285
    • Peeters, J. M. P. W. U., Sanders-van Wijk, S., Bektas, S., Knackstedt, C., Rickenbacher, P., Nietlispach, F., Handschin, R., Maeder, M. T., Muzzarelli, S. F., Pfisterer, M. E., & Brunner-La Rocca, H. P. (2014). Biomarkers in outpatient heart failure management; Are they correlated to and do they influence clinical judgment?Netherlands Heart Journal, 22(3), 115-121. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-013-0503-y
    • Meyer, U., Schindler, C., Zahner, L., Ernst, D., Hebestreit, H., van Mechelen, W., Rocca, H.-P. B.-L., Probst-Hensch, N., Puder, J. J., & Kriemler, S. (2014). Long-Term Effect of a School-Based Physical Activity Program (KISS) on Fitness and Adiposity in Children: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial. PLOS ONE, 9(2), Article e87929. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0087929
    • Van Empel, V. P. M., Kaufmann, B. A., Bernheim, A. M., Goetschalckx, K., Min, S. Y., Muzzarelli, S., Pfisterer, M. E., Kiencke, S., Maeder, M. T., & Brunner-La Rocca, H.-P. (2014). Interaction Between Pulmonary Hypertension and Diastolic Dysfunction in an Elderly Heart Failure Population. Journal of Cardiac Failure, 20(2), 98-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cardfail.2013.12.010
    • Burkard, T., Pfister, O., Rickli, H., Follath, F., Hack, D., Zaker, R., Pittl, U., Handschin, R., Pfisterer, M., & Brunner-La Rocca, H. .-P. (2014). Prognostic impact of systemic inflammatory diseases in elderly patients with congestive heart failure. QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, 107(2), 131-138. https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hct205
    • Sanders-van Wijk, S., Maeder, M. T., Nietlispach, F., Rickli, H., Estlinbaum, W., Erne, P., Rickenbacher, P., Peter, M., Pfisterer, M. P., & Brunner-La Rocca, H.-P. (2014). Long-Term Results of Intensified, N-Terminal-Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide-Guided Versus Symptom-Guided Treatment in Elderly Patients With Heart Failure Five-Year Follow-Up From TIME-CHF. Circulation-Heart Failure, 7(1), 131-139. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.113.000527
    • Mafi Rad, M., Blaauw, Y., Debie, L., Brunner-La Rocca, H., & Vernooy, K. (2014). Evaluation of Left Ventricular Endocardial Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in a Non-responder with Ventricular Arrhythmias. Indian pacing and electrophysiology journal, 14(1), 32-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0972-6292(16)30713-6
    • van Dongen, M., van Kraaij, D., Schalla, S., Brunner-La Rocca, H., & Driessen, R. (2014). Severe mitral regurgitation caused by eosinophilic endocarditis. Journal of Cardiology Cases, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jccase.2014.05.012
    • van Buchem, M. A., Biessels, G. J., la Rocca, H. P. B., de Craen, A. J. M., van der Flier, W. M., Ikram, M. A., Kappelle, L. J., Koudstaal, P. J., Mooijaart, S. P., Niessen, W., van Oostenbrugge, R., de Roos, A., van Rossum, A. C., & Daemen, M. J. A. P. (2014). The Heart-Brain Connection: A Multidisciplinary Approach Targeting a Missing Link in the Pathophysiology of Vascular Cognitive Impairment. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 42, S443-S451. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-141542
  • 2013
    • Arends, S. J., Damoiseaux, J. G., Duijvestijn, A. M., Debrus-Palmans, L., Vroomen, M., Boomars, K. A., Brunner-La Rocca, H. P., Reutelingsperger, C. P., Tervaert, J. W., & van Paassen, P. (2013). Immunoglobulin G anti-endothelial cell antibodies: inducers of endothelial cell apoptosis in pulmonary arterial hypertension?Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 174(3), 433-440. https://doi.org/10.1111/cei.12166
    • Maeder, M. T., Rickenbacher, P., Rickli, H., Abbuehl, H., Gutmann, M., Erne, P., Vuilliomenet, A., Peter, M., Pfisterer, M., & Brunner-La Rocca, H.-P. (2013). N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide-guided management in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction: findings from the Trial of Intensified versus standard Medical therapy in Elderly patients with Congestive Heart Failure (TIME-CHF). European journal of heart failure, 15(10), 1148-1156. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjhf/hft076
    • Sanders-van Wijk, S., Muzzarelli, S., Neuhaus, M., Kiencke, S., Maeder, M., Estlinbaum, W., Tobler, D., Mayer, K., Erne, P., Pfisterer, M. E., & Brunner-La Rocca, H.-P. (2013). Safety and tolerability of intensified, N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide-guided compared with standard medical therapy in elderly patients with congestive heart failure: results from TIME-CHF. European journal of heart failure, 15(8), 910-918. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjhf/hft079
    • Huijts, M., van Oostenbrugge, R. J., Duits, A., Burkard, T., Muzzarelli, S., Maeder, M. T., Schindler, R., Pfisterer, M. E., & Brunner-La Rocca, H.-P. (2013). Cognitive impairment in heart failure: results from the Trial of Intensified versus standard Medical therapy in Elderly patients with Congestive Heart Failure (TIME-CHF) randomized trial. European journal of heart failure, 15(6), 699-707. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjhf/hft020
    • Kaufmann, B. A., Min, S. Y., Goetschalckx, K., Bernheim, A. M., Buser, P. T., Pfisterer, M. E., & Brunner-La Rocca, H.-P. (2013). How reliable are left ventricular ejection fraction cut offs assessed by echocardiography for clinical decision making in patients with heart failure?International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging, 29(3), 581-588. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-012-0122-5
    • Arends, S. J., Damoiseaux, J. G., Duijvestijn, A. M., Debrus-Palmans, L., Boomars, K. A., Brunner-La Rocca, H. P., Tervaert, J. W., & van Paassen, P. (2013). Functional implications of IgG anti-endothelial cell antibodies in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Autoimmunity, 46(7), 463-470. https://doi.org/10.3109/08916934.2013.812080
    • Smulders, M. W., Kietselaer, B. L. J. H., Das, M., Wildberger, J. E., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Veenstra, L., Brunner La Rocca, H. P., van Dieijen-Visser, M. P., Mingels, A. M. A., Dagnelie, P. C., Post, M. J., Gorgels, A. P. M., van Asselt, A. D. I., Vogel, G., Schalla, S., Kim, R. J., & Bekkers, S. C. A. M. (2013). The role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography angiography in suspected non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients: Design and rationale of the CARdiovascular Magnetic rEsoNance imaging and computed Tomography Angiography (CARMENTA) trial. American Heart Journal, 166(6), 968-975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2013.09.012
    • Jeger, R. V., Rocca, H. P. B.-L., Bertel, O., Kiowski, W., Pfisterer, M. E., & Kaiser, C. A. (2013). Stent Thrombosis after Coronary Stent Implantation: A Protective Effect of High-Dose Statin Therapy?Cardiology, 126(2), 115-121. https://doi.org/10.1159/000350822
  • 2012
    • Scharf, C., Ng, G. A., Wieczorek, M., Deneke, T., Furniss, S. S., Murray, S., Debruyne, P., Hobson, N., Berntsen, R. F., Schneider, M. A., Hauer, H. A., Halimi, F., Boveda, S., Asbach, S., Boesche, L., Zimmermann, M., Brigadeau, F., Taieb, J., Merkel, M., ... Boersma, L. V. A. (2012). European survey on efficacy and safety of duty-cycled radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 14(12), 1700-1707. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eus188
    • Spruit, M. A., Maeder, M. T., Knackstedt, C., Ammann, P., Jeker, U., Uszko-Lencer, N., Kiencke, S., Pfisterer, M. E., Rickli, H., & Brunner La Rocca, H. P. (2012). Prognostic Value of Self-Reported Versus Objectively Measured Functional Capacity in Patients With Heart Failure Results From the TIME-CHF (Trial of Intensified Versus Standard Medical Therapy in Elderly Patients With Congestive Heart Failure). Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 60(20), 2125-2126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2012.08.968
    • Rickenbacher, P., Pfisterer, M., Burkard, T., Kiowski, W., Follath, F., Burckhardt, D., Schindler, R., & Rocca, H.-P. B.-L. (2012). Why and how do elderly patients with heart failure die? Insights from the TIME-CHF study. European journal of heart failure, 14(11), 1218-1229. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjhf/hfs113
    • Eurlings, L. W., van Wijk, S., van Kimmenade, R., Osinski, A., van Helmond, L., Vallinga, M., Crijns, H. J., van Dieijen-Visser, M. P., Brunner La Rocca, H. P., & Pinto, Y. M. (2012). Multimarker strategy for short-term risk assessment in patients with dyspnea in the emergency department: The marked (multi marker emergency dyspnea)-risk score. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 60(17), 1668-1677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2012.06.040
    • Knackstedt, C., Becker, M., Mischke, K., Pauling, R., Rocca, H. P. B.-L., & Schauerte, P. (2012). A dedicated cardioversion unit for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Reducing costs by optimizing processes. Herz, 37(5), 518-526. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00059-011-3546-0
    • Daamen, M. A. M. J., Hamers, J. P. H., Gorgels, A. P. M., Brunner-La Rocca, H. P., Tan, F. E. S., van Dieijen-Visser, M. P., & Schols, J. M. G. A. (2012). The prevalence and management of heart failure in Dutch nursing homes: design of a multi-centre cross-sectional study. BMC Geriatrics, 12, Article 29. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2318-12-29
    • Tivig, C., Dang, L., Brunner-La Rocca, H.-P., Oezcan, S., Duru, F., & Scharf, C. (2012). Duty-cycled unipolar/bipolar versus conventional radiofrequency ablation in paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation. International Journal of Cardiology, 157(2), 185-191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2010.12.010
    • Muzzarelli, S., Maeder, M. T., Toggweiler, S., Rickli, H., Nietlispach, F., Julius, B., Burkard, T., Pfisterer, M. E., & Brunner-La Rocca, H.-P. (2012). Frequency and Predictors of Hyperkalemia in Patients >= 60 Years of Age With Heart Failure Undergoing Intense Medical Therapy. American Journal of Cardiology, 109(5), 693-698. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2011.10.027
    • Burkard, T., Kaiser, C. A., Brunner-La Rocca, H., Osswald, S., Pfisterer, M. E., & Jeger, R. V. (2012). Combined clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitor therapy is associated with higher cardiovascular event rates after percutaneous coronary intervention: a report from the BASKET trial. Journal of Internal Medicine, 271(3), 257-263. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02423.x
    • Maeder, M. T., Rickli, H., Pfisterer, M. E., Muzzarelli, S., Ammann, P., Fehr, T., Hack, D., Weilenmann, D., Dieterle, T., Kiencke, S., Estlinbaum, W., & Brunner-La Rocca, H.-P. (2012). Incidence, clinical predictors, and prognostic impact of worsening renal function in elderly patients with chronic heart failure on intensive medical therapy. American Heart Journal, 163(3), 407-U353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2011.12.003
    • Zellweger, M. J., Kaiser, C. A., Jeger, R. V., Brunner-La Rocca, H.-P., Buser, P. T., Bader, F., Mueller-Brand, J., & Pfisterer, M. E. (2012). Coronary Artery Disease Progression Late After Successful Stent Implantation. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 59(9), 793-799. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2011.11.024
    • Octavia, Y., Rocca, H. P. B.-L., & Moens, A. L. (2012). NADPH oxidase-dependent oxidative stress in the failing heart: From pathogenic roles to therapeutic approach. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 52(2), 291-297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2011.10.482
Overview