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Uyên Châu Nguyên wins UM Dissertation Prize 2025

Uyên Châu Nguyên wins UM Dissertation Prize 2025

29 January 2026

During the Dies Natalis of Maastricht University, Uyên Châu Nguyên received the UM Dissertation Prize 2025.

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Global research network launched to study menopause and heart health

Global research network launched to study menopause and heart health

20 January 2026

Ten international health research funders, including the Dutch Heart Foundation, are investing $10 million in a new global research network to improve early prevention of cardiovascular disease in women. The initiative focuses on understanding how menopause affects heart health and how early intervention can reduce risk.

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Carim Maastricht
Carim Maastricht

Bart Maesen

Assistant Professor

Bart Maesen studied medicine at the University of Antwerp, Belgium and obtained a research position to conduct research on ischaemia/reperfusion injury following his graduation. Afterwards he moved to Maastricht, the Netherlands. He started his training in cardiothoracic surgery with a 4 -years fellowship at the electrophysiology lab of Prof Uli Schotten in 2006. Based on the research performed in this period, he obtained his PhD with a thesis on structure-function relationships of atrial fibrillation waves in goat and man. 

During his surgical traineeship he was trained in arrhythmia surgery by Prof. Mark La Meir. With his understanding of electrophysiology and manual skills, he was soon able to take over the hybrid AF ablation programme and together with interventional electrophysiologist Dr Justin Luermans and with the support of Prof. Harry Crijns, he developed an international highly acclaimed minimally invasive hybrid arrhythmia surgery programme at Maastricht UMC+.

Bart became staff member in 2017 and is currently head of our Arrhythmia Surgery programme. He is setting up a translational research programme with focus on improving outcome in surgical AF management by better understanding of basic mechanisms and concepts. He supervises several PhD students and helps other centers to start their own AF minimally invasive hybrid AF programme. 

Bart maesen 684aae2c83e32

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX Maastricht
Room number: 3.C2.016

  • 2022
    • Cornips, E. M. J., Maesen, B., Geskes, G., Maessen, J. G., Beuls, E. A. M., & Menovsky, T. (2022). T3-T4 Disc Herniations: Clinical Presentation, Imaging, and Transaxillary Approach. World Neurosurgery, 158, e984-e995. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2021.11.128
    • Bijvoet, G. P., Chaldoupi, S.-M., Bidar, E., Holtackers, R. J., Luermans, J. G. L. M., & Maesen, B. (2022). Epicardial box lesion using bipolar biparietal radiofrequency and multimodality scar evaluation-a case series. European Heart Journal - Case Reports, 6(1), Article ytab530. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjcr/ytab530
  • 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
    • Lux, A., Veenstra, L. F., Kats, S., Dohmen, W., Maessen, J. G., Hof, A. W. J. V., & Maesen, B. (2021). Urgent transcatheter aortic valve implantation in an all-comer population: a single-centre experience. BMC Cardiovascular disorders, 21(1), Article 550. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-021-02347-1
    • Kawczynski, M. J., Gilbers, M., Van de Walle, S., Schalla, S., Crijns, H. J., Maessen, J. G., Schotten, U., Maesen, B., & Bidar, E. (2021). Role of pre-operative transthoracic echocardiography in predicting post-operative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis. EP Europace, 23(11), 1731-1743. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euab095
    • Moossdorff, M., Maesen, B., den Uijl, D. W., Lenderink, T., Franssen, F. A. R., Vissers, Y. L. J., & de Loos, E. R. (2021). Case report: ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest provoked by forward bending in adolescent with severe pectus excavatum. European Heart Journal - Case Reports, 5(10), Article ytab373. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjcr/ytab373
    • Matteucci, F., Maesen, B., De Asmundis, C., Bidar, E., Parise, G., Maessen, J. G., La Meir, M., & Gelsomino, S. (2021). Comparison between biparietal bipolar and uniparietal bipolar radio frequency ablation techniques in a simultaneous procedural setting. Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology, 61(3), 567-575. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-020-00852-5
    • Matteucci, F., La Meir, M., Maesen, B., Chierchia, G.-B., De Asmundis, C., & Gelsomino, S. (2021). In vivo preliminary test of a new biparietal bidirectional bipolar radiofrequency magnetic coupling system. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 44(9), 1585-1592. Article ARTN 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/pace.14320
    • Maesen, B., Bidar, E., Luermans, J. G., & Maessen, J. G. (2021). Ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: the added value of hybrid. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 60(2), 231-232. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezab170
    • Matteucci, F., Maesen, B., De Asmundis, C., Bidar, E., Micali, L., Parise, G., Maessen, J. G., La Meir, M., & Gelsomino, S. (2021). Biparietal bidirectional bipolar radiofrequency in hybrid cardiac ablation: an in vitro evaluation. Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, 33(1), 34-42. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivab047
    • Heuts, S., H Heijmans, J., La Meir, M., & Maesen, B. (2021). Does Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion by an Epicardial Clipinfluence Left Atrial Hemodynamics? Pilot Results of Invasive Intra-Cardiac Measurements. Journal of Atrial Fibrillation, 14(1), Article 20200479. https://doi.org/10.4022/jafib.20200479
    • 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
    • Maesen, B., Luermans, J. G. L. M., Bidar, E., Chaldoupi, S.-M., Gelsomino, S., Maessen, J. G., Pison, L., & La Meir, M. (2021). A hybrid approach to complex arrhythmias. EP Europace, 23, ii28-ii33. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euab027
    • 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
    • Matteucci, F., Maesen, B., De Asmundis, C., Parise, G., Micali, L. R., Tuijthof, G., Gerits, P., Vernooy, K., Maessen, J. G., La Meir, M., & Gelsomino, S. (2021). New Biparietal Bipolar Catheter Prototype for Hybrid Atrial Fibrillation Ablation. Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, 16(2), 181-187. https://doi.org/10.1177/1556984520981025
  • 2020
    • Chaldoupi, S.-M., Heuts, S., Vainer, J., & Maesen, B. (2020). Surgical Options to Tackle Coronary Artery Kinking in Thoracoscopic Left Atrial Appendage Clipping. Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 110(2), E119-E121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2019.12.039
    • Matteucci, F., Maesen, B., Vernooy, K., De Asmundis, C., Maessen, J. G., La Meir, M., & Gelsomino, S. (2020). One-Stage Versus Sequential Hybrid Radiofrequency Ablation: An In Vitro Evaluation. Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, 15(4), 338-345. https://doi.org/10.1177/1556984520930070
    • Maesen, B., & La Meir, M. (2020). Unilateral Left-sided Thoracoscopic Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation. Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 110(1), E63-E66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2020.01.057
    • Mariani, S., Napp, L. C., Lo Coco, V., Delnoij, T. S. R., Luermans, J. G. L. M., ter Bekke, R. M. A., Timmermans, C., Li, T., Dogan, G., Schmitto, J. D., Maessen, J., Maesen, B., & Lorusso, R. (2020). Mechanical circulatory support for life -threatening arrhythmia: A systematic review. International Journal of Cardiology, 308, 42-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2020.03.045
    • Maesen, B., La Meir, M., Luermans, J., & Segers, P. (2020). A minimally invasive all-in-one approach for patients with left anterior descending artery disease and atrial fibrillation. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 57(4), 803-805. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezz257
    • Vroomen, M., Luermans, J. G. L. M., La Meir, M., & Maesen, B. (2020). Successful thoracoscopic clipping of a thrombus-containing left atrial appendage. IJC Heart and Vasculature, 26, Article 100460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcha.2019.100460
    • Maesen, B., Weberndorfer, V., Bidar, E., & Linz, D. (2020). The importance of bipolar bidirectional radiofrequency in surgical AF ablation. IJC Heart and Vasculature, 26, Article 100478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcha.2020.100478
    • Vroomen, M., Maesen, B., Luermans, J. L., Maessen, J. G., Crijns, H. J., La Meir, M., & Pison, L. (2020). Epicardial and Endocardial Validation of Conduction Block After Thoracoscopic Epicardial Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation. Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, 15(6), 525-531. https://doi.org/10.1177/1556984520956314
  • 2019
    • van der Heijden, C. A. J., Vroomen, M., Luermans, J. G., Vos, R., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Gelsomino, S., La Meir, M., Pison, L., & Maesen, B. (2019). Hybrid versus catheter ablation in patients with persistent and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 56(3), 433-443. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezy475
    • Tetta, C., Moula, A. I., Matteucci, F., Parise, O., Maesen, B., Johnson, D., La Meir, M., & Gelsomino, S. (2019). Association between atrial fibrillation and Helicobacter pylori. Clinical research in cardiology, 108(7), 730-740. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-019-01418-w
    • Vroomen, M., Olsthoorn, J. R., Maesen, B., L'Espoir, V., La Meir, M., Das, M., Maessen, J. G., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Verheule, S., & Pison, L. (2019). Quantification of epicardial adipose tissue in patients undergoing hybrid ablation for atrial fibrillation. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 56(1), 79-86. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezy472
    • Vroomen, M., La Meir, M., Maesen, B., Luermans, J. G. L., Vernooy, K., Essers, B., de Greef, B. T. A., Maessen, J. G., Crijns, H. J., & Pison, L. (2019). Hybrid thoracoscopic surgical and transvenous catheter ablation versus transvenous catheter ablation in persistent and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (HARTCAP-AF): study protocol for a randomized trial. Trials, 20(1), Article 370. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-019-3365-9
    • Vroomen, M., Maesen, B., La Meir, M., Luermans, J. G. L., Vernooy, K., Maessen, J. G., Crijns, H. J., & Pison, L. (2019). Hybrid Ablation of Ventricular Tachycardia: a Single-Centre Experience. Journal of Atrial Fibrillation, 11(5), Article 2118. https://doi.org/10.4022/jafib.2118
    • Maesen, B., Crijns, H., & La Meir, M. (2019). Letter by Maesen et al Regarding Article, "Randomized Controlled Trial of Surgical Versus Catheter Ablation for Paroxysmal and Early Persistent Atrial Fibrillation". Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 12(3), Article 007088. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.118.007088
    • Vroomen, M., Maesen, B., Luermans, J. G., Crijns, H. J., Maessen, J. G., Meir, M. L., & Pison, L. (2019). Left Atrial Appendage Management with the Watchman Device during Hybrid Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation. Journal of Interventional Cardiology, 2019, Article 4525084. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4525084
  • 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
    • van Roozendaal, L. M., van Gool, M. H., Sprooten, R. T. M., Maesen, B. A. E., Poeze, M., Hulsewe, K. W. E., Vissers, Y. L. J., & de Loos, E. R. (2018). Surgical treatment of bronchial rupture in blunt chest trauma: a review of literature. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 10(9), 5576-5583. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2018.08.22
    • 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(JUL), Article 947. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.00947
    • Lenoir, M., Maesen, B., Stevens, L.-M., Cartier, R., Demers, P., Poirier, N., Tousch, M., & El-Hamamsy, I. (2018). Reimplantation versus remodelling with ring annuloplasty: comparison of mid-term outcomes after valve-sparing aortic root replacement. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 54(1), 48-54. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezy016
    • Maesen, B., Pison, L., Vroomen, M., Luermans, J. G., Vernooy, K., Maessen, J. G., Crijns, H. J., & LaMeir, M. (2018). Three-year follow-up of hybrid ablation for atrial fibrillation. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 53(1), 26-32. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezy117
  • 2017
    • Phan, K., Pison, L., Wang, N., Kanagaratnam, A., Yan, T. D., Maesen, B., Maessen, J. G., Crijns, H. J., & La Meir, M. (2017). Effectiveness and safety of simultaneous hybrid thoracoscopic endocardial catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in obese and non-obese patients. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 9(9), 3087-3096. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2017.08.102
    • Kuklik, P., Zeemering, S., van Hunnik, A., Maesen, B., Pison, L., Lau, D. H., Maessen, J., Podziemski, P., Meyer, C., Schaeffer, B., Crijns, H., Willems, S., & Schotten, U. (2017). Identification of Rotors during Human Atrial Fibrillation Using Contact Mapping and Phase Singularity Detection: Technical Considerations. Ieee Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 64(2), 310-318. https://doi.org/10.1109/TBME.2016.2554660
    • Maesen, B., Pison, L., & La Meir, M. (2017). Letter by Maesen et al Regarding Article, "Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation": Patient Selection, Periprocedural Anticoagulation, Techniques, and Preventive Measures After Ablation. Circulation, 135(1), E1-E2. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.116.025138
  • 2016
    • Kuklik, P., Schaeffer, B., Hoffmann, B. A., Ganesan, A. N., Schreiber, D., Moser, J. M., Akbulak, R. O., Sultan, A., Steven, D., Maesen, B., Schotten, U., Meyer, C., & Willems, S. (2016). Local Electrical Dyssynchrony during Atrial Fibrillation: Theoretical Considerations and Initial Catheter Ablation Results. PLOS ONE, 11(10), Article e0164236. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0164236
    • Vroomen, M., Maesen, B., & Pison, L. (2016). Letter by Vroomen et al Regarding Article, "Left Atrial Appendage Electrical Isolation and Concomitant Device Occlusion to Treat Persistent Atrial Fibrillation: A First-in-Human Safety, Feasibility, and Efficacy Study". Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 9(10), Article e004631. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.116.004631
    • Maesen, B., van Loo, I., Pison, L., & La Meir, M. (2016). Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: is Electrical Isolation of the Pulmonary Veins a Must?Journal of Atrial Fibrillation, 9(1), Article 1426. https://doi.org/10.4022/jafib.1426
  • 2015
    • Podziemski, P., Kuklik, P., van Hunnik, A., Zeemering, S., Maesen, B., & Schotten, U. (2015). Far-field effect in unipolar electrograms revisited: High-density mapping of atrial fibrillation in humans. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2015, 5680-3. https://doi.org/10.1109/EMBC.2015.7319681
    • Lau, D. H., Maesen, B., Zeemering, S., Kuklik, P., van Hunnik, A., Lankveld, T. A. R., Bidar, E., Verheule, S., Nijs, J., Maessen, J., Crijns, H., Sanders, P., & Schotten, U. (2015). Indices of bipolar complex fractionated atrial electrograms correlate poorly with each other and atrial fibrillation substrate complexity. Heart Rhythm, 12(7), 1415-1423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.03.017
    • Kuklik, P., Zeemering, S., Maesen, B., Maessen, J., Crijns, H. J., Verheule, S., Ganesan, A. N., & Schotten, U. (2015). Reconstruction of Instantaneous Phase of Unipolar Atrial Contact Electrogram Using a Concept of Sinusoidal Recomposition and Hilbert Transform. Ieee Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 62(1), 296-302. https://doi.org/10.1109/TBME.2014.2350029
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