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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

Elham Bidar

Associate professor

Elham Bidar studied medicine at Maastricht University, within the problem-based learning (PBL) system, a philosophy he now strategically integrates into education, research, and clinical care. The PBL approach allowed him to begin early scientific research in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery (CTC), resulting in a PhD in 2018, on the topic 'Assessment of the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of atrial fibrillation during and after cardiac surgery' supervised by Prof. Uli Schotten and Prof. Jos G. Maessen. 

Since 2019, he has served as a staff member in CTC at Maastricht UMC+, where he specializes in open and minimal invasive cardiovascular surgery including throacoscopic AF ablation and open aortic procedures.

As of April 2025, he is appointed Head of the Department of CTC at the Heart+Vascular Center and Chairman and Principal Investigator of the department at CARIM. 

Within the CARIM+HVC network, he fosters close collaborations between clinicians and basic scientists to address clinical challenges through transdisciplinary research, using open-heart surgery and the heart-lung machine as in vivo models. Key focus areas include electrophysiology, organ perfusion and mechanical circulatory support, and aortic pathology. 

Elham bidar

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
P. Debeyelaan 25, 6229 HX Maastricht
P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht

  • 2022
    • Ravaux, J. M., Van Kuijk, S. M. J., Di Mauro, M., Vernooy, K., Bidar, E., Van't Hof, A. W., Veenstra, L., Kats, S., Houterman, S., Maessen, J. G., Lorusso, R., & THI Registration Committee of The Netherlands Heart Registration (2022). Incidence and Predictors of Permanent Pacemaker Implantation after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Procedures: Data of The Netherlands Heart Registration (NHR). Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(3), Article 560. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11030560
    • 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
    • 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
    • Ravaux, J. M., Van Kuijk, S. M. J., Di Mauro, M., Vernooy, K., Bidar, E., Mariani, S., Dato, G. A., Van't Hof, A. W., Veenstra, L., Kats, S., Houterman, S., Maessen, J. G., Lorusso, R., & Cardiothoracic Surgery Registration Committee of the Netherlands Heart Registration (2021). Incidence and predictors of permanent pacemaker implantation after surgical aortic v alve replacement: Data of the Netherlands Heart Registration (NHR). Journal of Cardiac Surgery, 36(10), 3519-3527. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocs.15803
    • 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
    • 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
    • Parikh, S., Ganizada, B., Debeij, G., Natour, E., Maessen, J., Spronck, B., Schurgers, L., Delhaas, T., Huberts, W., Bidar, E., & Reesink, K. (2021). Intra-Operative Video-Based Measurement of Biaxial Strains of the Ascending Thoracic Aorta. Biomedicines, 9(6), Article 670. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9060670
    • 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
    • Willers, A., Swol, J., Kowalewski, M., Raffa, G. M., Meani, P., Jiritano, F., Matteucci, M., Fina, D., Heuts, S., Bidar, E., Natour, E., Sels, J. W., Delnoij, T., & Lorusso, R. (2021). Extracorporeal Life Support in Hemorrhagic Conditions: A Systematic Review. Asaio Journal, 67(5), 476-484. https://doi.org/10.1097/mat.0000000000001216
    • 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
    • Makhoul, M., Lorusso, R., Bidar, E., Zayad, R., & Natour, E. (2021). Misdiagnosed Recurrent Pericardial Effusion in Chronic Type A Aortic Dissection. Israel Medical Association Journal, 23(4), 258-260. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33899362/
    • 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
    • Kowalewski, M., Zielinski, K., Gozdek, M., Raffa, G. M., Pilato, M., Alanazi, M., Gilbers, M., Heuts, S., Natour, E., Bidar, E., Schreurs, R., Delnoij, T., Driessen, R., Sels, J. W., van de Poll, M., Roekaerts, P., Pasierski, M., Meani, P., Maessen, J., ... Lorusso, R. (2021). Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Life Support in Heart Transplant and Ventricle Assist Device Centres. Meta-analysis. Esc heart failure, 8(2), 1064-1075. https://doi.org/10.1002/ehf2.13080
    • 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
    • Apostel, H. J. C. L., Winckers, K., Bidar, E., & Schreiber, J. U. (2021). Successful Antithrombin Administration in Andexanet Alfa-Associated Heparin Resistance. Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, 35(3), 904-907. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jvca.2020.10.042
    • Lorusso, R., Ravaux, J. M., Barili, F., Bidar, E., Vernooy, K., Di Mauro, M., Miceli, A., Parolari, A., Daprati, A., Myasoedova, V., Alamanni, F., De Vincentiis, C., Aime, E., Nicolini, F., Gonzi, G., Colli, A., Gerosa, G., De Bonis, M., Paglino, G., ... GIROC Investigators (2021). Relation of Prolonged Pacemaker Dependency After Cardiac Surgery to Mortality. American Journal of Cardiology, 138, 66-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2020.10.010
  • 2020
    • Kowalewski, M., Raffa, G., Zielinski, K., Meani, P., Alanazi, M., Gilbers, M., Heuts, S., Natour, E., Bidar, E., Schreurs, R., Delnoij, T., Driessen, R., Sels, J. W., van de Poll, M., Roekaerts, P., Maessen, J., Suwalski, P., & Lorusso, R. (2020). Baseline surgical status and short-term mortality after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for post-cardiotomy shock: a meta-analysis. Perfusion, 35(3), 246-254. Article 0267659119865122. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659119865122
    • 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
    • Lorusso, R., Raffa, G. M., Heuts, S., Lo Coco, V., Meani, P., Natour, E., Bidar, E., Delnoij, T., & Loforte, A. (2020). Pulmonary artery cannulation to enhance extracorporeal membrane oxygenation management in acute cardiac failure. Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, 30(2), 215-222. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivz245
    • 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
    • Kowalewski, M., Raffa, G. M., Zielinski, K., Alanazi, M., Gilbers, M., Heuts, S., Natour, E., Bidar, E., Schreurs, R., Delnoij, T., Driessen, R., Sels, J.-W., van de Poll, M., Roekaerts, P., Meani, P., Maessen, J., Suwalski, P., & Lorusso, R. (2020). The impact of Centre's heart transplant status and volume on in-hospital outcomes following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock: a meta-analysis. BMC Cardiovascular disorders, 20(1), Article 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-019-01317-y
  • 2019
    • Jainandunsing, J. S., Linnemann, R., Bouma, W., Natour, N., Bidar, E., Lorusso, R., Gelsomino, S., Johnson, D. M., & Natour, E. (2019). Aorto-atrial fistula formation and closure: a systematic review. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 11(3), 1031-1046. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2019.01.77
    • Lorusso, R., Bidar, E., Natour, E., & Heuts, S. (2019). Minimally invasive management of central ECMO after ascending aortic surgery. Journal of Cardiac Surgery, 34(3), 131-133. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocs.13974
    • Gelsomino, S., Bidar, E., Jainandunsing, J. S., Tielliu, I. F. J., Lorusso, R., Johnson, D., Maessen, J. G., & Natour, E. (2019). Modified Gott shunt to avoid left ventricular overload and cerebral hypoperfusion during distal aortic arch surgery. Journal of Vascular Surgery Cases and Innovative Techniques, 5(1), 65-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvscit.2018.11.005
    • Bidar, E., Folliguet, T., Kluin, J., Muneretto, C., Parolari, A., Barili, F., Suwalski, P., Bonaros, N., Punjabi, P., Sadaba, R., De Bonis, M., Al-Attar, N., Obadia, J. F., Czerny, M., Shrestha, M., Zegdi, R., Natour, E., & Lorusso, R. (2019). Postimplant biological aortic prosthesis degeneration: challenges in transcatheter valve implants. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 55(2), 191-200. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezy391
    • Meani, P., Delnoij, T., Raffa, G. M., Morici, N., Viola, G., Sacco, A., Oliva, F., Heuts, S., Sels, J.-W., Driessen, R., Roekaerts, P., Gilbers, M., Bidar, E., Schreurs, R., Natour, E., Veenstra, L., Kats, S., Maessen, J., & Lorusso, R. (2019). Protracted aortic valve closure during peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal life support: is intra-aortic balloon pump an effective solution?Perfusion, 34(1), 35-41. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267659118787426
  • 2018
    • Gelsomino, S., Bidar, E., Lorusso, R., Johnson, D. M., Maessen, J. G., & Natour, E. (2018). Open repair of type Ia endoleak in the aortic arch: three tailored approaches. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 10(11), 6261-6265. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2018.10.21
    • Lorusso, R., Vizzardi, E., Johnson, D. M., Mariscalco, G., Sciatti, E., Maessen, J., Bidar, E., & Gelsomino, S. (2018). Cardiac surgery in adult patients with remitted or active malignancies: a review of preoperative screening, surgical management and short- and long-term postoperative results. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 54(1), 10-18. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezy019
  • 2017
    • Raffa, G. M., Gelsomino, S., Sluijpers, N., Meani, P., Alenizy, K., Natour, E., Bidar, E., Johnson, D. M., Makhoul, M., Heuts, S., Lozekoot, P., Kats, S., Schreurs, R., Delnoij, T., Montalti, A., Sels, J. W., Poll, M. V. D., Roekaerts, P., Maessen, J., & Lorusso, R. (2017). In-hospital outcome of post-cardiotomy extracorporeal life support in adult patients: the 2007-2017 Maastricht experience. Critical Care and Resuscitation, 19(Suppl 1), 53-61. http://cicm.org.au/CICM_Media/CICMSite/CICM-Website/Resources/Publications/CCR%20Journal/Previous%20Editions/October%20Supplement%202017/ccr_19_OctSupp_011017-S53-S61.pdf
    • Meani, P., Gelsomino, S., Natour, E., Johnson, D. M., Rocca, H.-P. B. L., Pappalardo, F., Bidar, E., Makhoul, M., Raffa, G., Heuts, S., Lozekoot, P., Kats, S., Sluijpers, N., Schreurs, R., Delnoij, T., Montalti, A., Sels, J. W., van de Poll, M., Roekaerts, P., ... Lorusso, R. (2017). Modalities and Effects of Left Ventricle Unloading on Extracorporeal Life support: a Review of the Current Literature. European journal of heart failure, 19 Suppl 2, 84-91. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejhf.850
  • 2015
    • 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
  • 2014
    • Kuklik, P., Bidar, E., Gharaviri, A., Maessen, J., & Schotten, U. (2014). Application of phase coherence in assessment of spatial alignment of electrodes during simultaneous endocardial-epicardial direct contact mapping of atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 16 (Suppl 4), iv135-iv140. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euu247
    • Verheule, S., Eckstein, J., Linz, D., Maesen, B., Bidar, E., Gharaviri, A., & Schotten, U. (2014). Role of endo-epicardial dissociation of electrical activity and transmural conduction in the development of persistent atrial fibrillation. Progress in Biophysics & Molecular Biology, 115(2-3), 173-185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2014.07.007
  • 2011
    • van Breugel, N. H., Bidar, E., Essers, B. A., Nieman, F. H., Accord, R. E., Severens, J. L., Vrakking, R., & Maessen, J. G. (2011). Cost-effectiveness of ablation surgery in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing cardiac surgery. Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, 12(3), 394-398. https://doi.org/10.1510/icvts.2010.249482
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