Peyman Sardari Nia

Assistant Professor

Dr Peyman Sardari Nia is a Senior Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Maastricht UMC+, where he specialises in minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery. Dr Sardari Nia earned his MD and his PhD from University Antwerp, Belgium, and underwent residency training in general surgery in the same city. Dr Sardari Nia was awarded the Pfizer educational prize in 2009: this prize is bestowed by the University of Antwerp on one young specialist for excellence in clinical, scientific, and surgical qualities during his or her whole residency across all the surgical specialties. Following his residency in general surgery, Dr Sardari Nia underwent a fellowship training in cardiothoracic surgery at St Antonius Hospital in Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.

Dr Sardari Nia’s PhD research focussed on prognostic factors of lung metastases and non-small cell lung cancer, particularly how tumor growth patterns can inform post-surgical outcomes. He has received multiple awards for his research, notably the American Association of Cancer Research scholar-in-training award and European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) Young Investigator award. His current research is focussed on preoperative planning by use of 3D imaging reconstruction, 3D printing, simulation, and intraoperative navigation. He received the EACTS Techno-College Innovation Award for his invention of the high-fidelity endoscopic mitral valve surgery simulator.

Dr Sardari Nia is an all-around cardiothoracic surgeon with special interest in surgery for lung cancer and minimally invasive adult cardiac surgery, especially endoscopic mitral valve repair and VATS lobectomy. In addition to introducing and innovating minimally invasive approaches at his home institution, he is the founder and director of the EACTS courses in minimally invasive techniques for adult cardiac surgery and endoscopic mitral valve repair, using the high-fidelity simulator that he developed. He has been an EACTS councilor and a member of various EACTS committees since 2008. He is an associate editor of European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EJCTS) and a member of EACTS, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and the International Society for the Study of Lung Cancer.

The following projects have been developed as multi-disciplinary projects:
1. Development of hybrid-simulator for minimal invasive mitral valve surgery.
Real-time feed-backed simulator for endoscopic placement or reparation of Mitral valve with following characteristics:
• A physical model made, based on real anatomic characteristics of MIMVS, anatomic consideration of incision, different ports, video camera and the heart.
• Anatomic model of mitral valve annulus, leaflets and the papillary muscle
• Real-time simulator with electronic feed-back for placement of the stitches on the mitral annulus whereby the students get electronic feedback whether the stitches are correctly placed. The simulator proto-type was developed in 2013 and industrial type in 2014. Additional to this, an air-pilot training like-course with developed simulators was initiated in 2015 and 17 courses have been organised so far.
2. Pre-operative planning for minimal invasive cardiothoracic surgery. In this project, a 3D reconstruction based on available imaging is created pre-operatively. The surgical technique is than planned according to individual anatomic variations.
3. Personalised medicine concept: development and implementation of new tools and concepts to facilitate transfer of cardiothoracic surgery from craftsmanship to smart surgery. The concept of personalised medicine is characterised by three pillars: focussing on whole process of care (from pre-treatment, treatment to post-treatment) rather than the treatment, working with dedicated teams throughout the process and application of preoperative planning tools (3D reconstructions, 3D printing, simulation and navigation) to enhance the reproducibility, efficacy and safety.

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Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX Maastricht
PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht
T: +31(0)43-387 70 95 / +31(0)43-387 51 06

  • 2024
    • Sardari Nia, P., Ganushchak, Y., & Maessen, J. (2024). Proposal of statistical twin as transition to full digital twin technology for cardiovascular interventions. Interdisciplinary CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivae032
    • Jung, Y., van Kuijk, S. M. J., Gietema, H., Maessen, J. G., & Sardari Nia, P. (2024). Prediction of poor exposure in endoscopic mitral valve surgery using computed tomography. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 65(3), Article ezae070. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezae070
    • Arjomandi Rad, A., Zubarevich, A., Osswald, A., Vardanyan, R., Magouliotis, D. E., Ansaripour, A., Kourliouros, A., Sá, M. P., Rassaf, T., Ruhparwar, A., Sardari Nia, P., Athanasiou, T., & Weymann, A. (2024). The Surgical Treatment of Infective Endocarditis: A Comprehensive Review. Diagnostics, 14(5), Article 464. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14050464
    • Checheili Sobbi, S., Jung, Y., Fillet, M., Bakhtiary, F., Maessen, J. G., & Sardari Nia, P. (2024). Simulation-based training for endoscopic mitral valve repair: the impact on basic surgical skills for placement of sutures at mitral valve annulus during 2-h training workshop. Interdisciplinary CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, 38(2), Article ivae003. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivae003
    • Arjomandi Rad, A., Fleet, B., Zubarevich, A., Nanchahal, S., Naruka, V., Subbiah Ponniah, H., Vardanyan, R., Sardari Nia, P., Loubani, M., Moorjani, N., Schmack, B., Punjabi, P. P., Schmitto, J., Ruhparwar, A., & Weymann, A. (2024). Left ventricular assist device implantation and concomitant mitral valve surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Artificial Organs, 48(1), 16-27. https://doi.org/10.1111/aor.14659
  • 2023
    • Heuts, S., Kawczynski, M., Sardari Nia, P., Maessen, J. G., Biondi-Zoccai, G., & Gabrio, A. (2023). Bayesian interpretation of non-inferiority in transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement trials: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Interdisciplinary CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, 37(5), Article ivad185. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivad185
    • Jung, Y., Streukens, S., Vainer, J., Kats, S., & Sardari Nia, P. (2023). Spontaneously Resolved Systolic Anterior Motion of Native Mitral Valve Leaflet After Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement. JACC. Case reports, 23(1), Article 102005. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccas.2023.102005
    • Fatehi Hassanabad, A., Imran Hamid, U., & Sardari Nia, P. (2023). An International Survey-Based Assessment of Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery. Interdisciplinary CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, 37(4), Article ivad154. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivad154
    • Pompili, C., Opitz, I., Elswick, E., Novoa, N., Cabalo, M., Beck Shimmer, B., Sardari Nia, P., & Stiles, B. (2023). Importance of personal development for a diverse workforce in thoracic surgery: the art of Curriculum Vitae building and interviewing. Interdisciplinary CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, 37(3), Article ivad144. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivad144
    • Cheheili Sobbi, S., & Sardari Nia, P. (2023). How to Build a Simulation Center for Surgery. Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, 18(5), 402-407. Article 15569845231201618. https://doi.org/10.1177/15569845231201618
    • Sardari Nia, P. (2023). Pursuit of Excellence: Five Lessons From Dedicated Practice and Seven Key Recommendations for Simulation-Based Training. Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, 18(5), 395-398. Article 15569845231201370. https://doi.org/10.1177/15569845231201370
    • Scheenstra, B., Bongers, B. C., Broeders, B., Imkamp, M., Van Susante, L., Kietselaer, B., Maessen, J., Van 't Hof, A., & Sardari Nia, P. (2023). Reasons and predictors of non-participation in a personalized digital prehabilitation care trial for patients undergoing elective cardiothoracic surgery. Interdisciplinary CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, 37(2), Article ivad123. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivad123
    • Arjomandi Rad, A., Hajzamani, D., & Sardari Nia, P. (2023). Simulation-based training in cardiac surgery: a systematic review. Interdisciplinary CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, 37(2), Article ivad079. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivad079
    • Imran Hamid, U., Modine, T., Maessen, J., van 't Hof, A., Sondergaard, L., Bleiziffer, S., Lancellotti, P., Siepe, M., & Sardari Nia, P. (2023). Structure of multidisciplinary heart teams, a survey based heart team study. Interdisciplinary CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, 37(2), Article ivad134. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivad134
    • Massimi, G., Matteucci, M., De Bonis, M., Kowalewski, M., Formica, F., Russo, C. F., Sponga, S., Vendramin, I., Colli, A., Falcetta, G., Trumello, C., Carrozzini, M., Fischlein, T., Troise, G., Dato, G. A., D'Alessandro, S., Nia, P. S., Lodo, V., Villa, E., ... Lorusso, R. (2023). Extracorporeal life support in mitral papillary muscle rupture: Outcome of multicenter study. Artificial Organs, 47(8), 1386-1394. https://doi.org/10.1111/aor.14541
    • Aerts, L., & Nia, P. S. (2023). Mastering the learning curve of endoscopic mitral valve surgery. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 10(1), Article 1162330. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2023.1162330
    • Rad, A. A., Nia, P. S., & Athanasiou, T. (2023). ChatGPT: revolutionizing cardiothoracic surgery research through artificial intelligence. Interdisciplinary CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, 36(6), Article ivad090. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivad090
    • Nia, P. S., Merrifield, A., & Siepe, M. (2023). Behind the curtain of the editorial process: how editors decide!Interdisciplinary CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, 36(2), Article ivad022. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivad022
    • Nia, P. S., Merrifield, A., & Siepe, M. (2023). Shaping the future by going interdisciplinary. Interdisciplinary CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, 36(2), Article ivad021. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivad021
    • Nia, P. S., Merrifield, A., & Siepe, M. (2023). Behind the curtain of the editorial process: how editors decide!European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 63(2), Article ezad068. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezad068
  • 2022
    • Olsthoorn, J. R., Heuts, S., Houterman, S., Roefs, M., Maessen, J. G., Nia, P. S., & Cardiothoracic Surgery Registration Committee of the Netherlands Heart Registration (2022). Does concomitant tricuspid valve surgery increase the risks of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery? A multicentre comparison based on data from The Netherlands Heart Registration. Journal of Cardiac Surgery, 37(12), 4362–4370. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocs.17004
    • Olsthoorn, J. R., Heuts, S., Houterman, S., Maessen, J. G., Nia, P. S., & Cardiothoracic Surgery Registration Committee of the Netherlands Heart Registration (2022). Minimally invasive approach compared to resternotomy for mitral valve surgery in patients with prior cardiac surgery: retrospective multicentre study based on the Netherlands Heart Registration. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 62(5), Article ezac420. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezac420
    • Olsthoorn, J. R., Heuts, S., Houterman, S., Maessen, J. G., & Sardari Nia, P. (2022). Effect of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery compared to sternotomy on short- and long-term outcomes: a retrospective multicentre interventional cohort study based on Netherlands Heart Registration. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 61(5), 1099-1106. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezab507
    • Posthuma, R., Vaes, A. W., Walraven, K. H. M., Nia, P. S., Schreiber, J. U., Gietema, H. A., Wesseling, G., Wouters, E. F. M., & Vanfleteren, L. E. G. W. (2022). Implementation of Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction Using One-Way Endobronchial Valves: A Retrospective Single-Centre Cohort Study. Respiration, 101(5), 476-484. https://doi.org/10.1159/000520885
    • Hamid, U. I., Aksoy, R., & Nia, P. S. (2022). Mitral valve repair in papillary muscle rupture. Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 11(3), 281-289. https://doi.org/10.21037/acs-2021-ami-23
    • Sardari Nia, P. (2022). Development of a soft three-dimensional replica of the mitral valve for procedural planning. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 61(4), 886-887. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezac028
    • Luyten, P., Heuts, S., Cheriex, E., Olsthoorn, J. R., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Winkens, B., Roos-Hesselink, J. W., Nia, P. S., & Schalla, S. (2022). Mitral prolapsing volume is associated with increased cardiac dimensions in patients with mitral annular disjunction. Netherlands Heart Journal, 30(3), 131-139. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-021-01575-6
    • Massimi, G., Ronco, D., De Bonis, M., Kowalewski, M., Formica, F., Russo, C. F., Sponga, S., Vendramin, I., Falcetta, G., Fischlein, T., Troise, G., Trumello, C., Actis Dato, G., Carrozzini, M., Shah, S. H., Coco, V. L., Villa, E., Scrofani, R., Torchio, F., ... Lorusso, R. (2022). Surgical treatment for post-infarction papillary muscle rupture: a multicentre study. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 61(2), 469-476. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezab469
    • Arjomandi Rad, A., Vardanyan, R., Thavarajasingam, S. G., Zubarevich, A., Van den Eynde, J., Sá, M. P. B. O., Zhigalov, K., Sardiari Nia, P., Ruhparwar, A., & Weymann, A. (2022). Extended, virtual and augmented reality in thoracic surgery: a systematic review. Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, 34(2), 201-211. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivab241
  • 2021
    • Heuts, S., & Nia, P. S. (2021). Periprocedural myocardial infarction: a web of definitions. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 60(3), 443-447. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezab306
    • Scheenstra, B., Mohansingh, C., Bongers, B., Dahmen, S., Wouters, Y., Lenssen, T., Geerlings, P., Knols, H., van Kuijk, S., Kimman, M., Nieman, M., Maessen, J., van 't Hof, A., & Sardari Nia, P. (2021). Personalized teleprehabilitation in elective cardiac surgery: Personalized teleprehabilitation in elective cardiac surgery. European Heart Journal - Digital Health, 2(3), 477-486. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjdh/ztab041
    • Olsthoorn, J. R., Daemen, J. H. T., de Loos, E. R., Ter Woorst, J. F., van Straten, A. H. M., Maessen, J. G., Sardari Nia, P., & Heuts, S. (2021). Right Anterolateral Thoracotomy Versus Sternotomy for Resection of Benign Atrial Masses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, 16(5), 426-433. Article 15569845211032230. https://doi.org/10.1177/15569845211032230
    • Nia, P. S., Olsthoorn, J. R., Heuts, S., van Kuijk, S. M. J., Vainer, J., Streukens, S., Schalla, S., Segers, P., Barenbrug, P., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Maessen, J. G. (2021). Effect of a dedicated mitral heart team compared to a general heart team on survival: a retrospective, comparative, non-randomized interventional cohort study based on prospectively registered data. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 60(2), 263-273. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezab065
    • Vinck, E. E., Rendon, J. C., Andrade, D., Escobar, J. J., Nunez, F., & Nia, P. S. (2021). Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery in Colombia: Evolution and the Impact of International Training. Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, 16(4), 305-309. https://doi.org/10.1177/15569845211030982
    • Akmaz, B., van Kuijk, S. M. J., & Nia, P. S. (2021). Association between individual surgeon volume and outcome in mitral valve surgery: a systematic review. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 13(7), 4500-4510. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd-21-578
    • Man, J., Maessen, J., & Nia, P. S. (2021). The development of a flexible heart model for simulation-based training. Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, 32(2), 182-187. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivaa260
    • Siepe, M., & Nia, P. S. (2021). Shine on you crazy diamond! How the EACTS journals will continue to shine with the new Editors-in-Chief. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 59(1), 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezaa399
  • 2020
    • Heuts, S., Adriaans, B. P., Rylski, B., Mihl, C., Bekkers, S. C. A. M., Olsthoorn, J. R., Natour, E., Bouman, H., Berezowski, M., Kosiorowska, K., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Maessen, J. G., Wildberger, J., Schalla, S., & Sardari Nia, P. (2020). Evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of maximal aortic diameter, length and volume for prediction of aortic dissection. Heart, 106(12), 892-897. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2019-316251
    • Sardari Nia, P., Heuts, S., Daemen, J. H. T., Olsthoorn, J. R., Chitwood, W. R., & Maessen, J. G. (2020). The EACTS simulation-based training course for endoscopic mitral valve repair: an air-pilot training concept in action. Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, 30(5), 691-698. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivz323
    • Olsthoorn, J. R., Heuts, S., Maessen, J. G., & Sardari Nia, P. (2020). Reply to Kim and Choi. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 57(2), 409. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezz154
  • 2019
    • Heuts, S., al Khoury, F., & Sardari Nia, P. (2019). Lighthearted: Pneumopericardium after mitral valve repair. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 158(5), E169-E170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2018.08.105
    • Sardari Nia, P., Daemen, J. H. T., & Maessen, J. G. (2019). Development of a high-fidelity minimally invasive mitral valve surgery simulator. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 157(4), 1567-1574. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2018.09.014
    • Heuts, S., Olsthoorn, J. R., Hermans, S. M. M., Streukens, S. A. F., Vainer, J., Cheriex, E. C., Segers, P., Maessen, J. G., & Sardari Nia, P. (2019). Multidisciplinary decision-making in mitral valve disease: the mitral valve heart team. Netherlands Heart Journal, 27(4), 176-184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-019-1238-1
    • Daemen, J. H. T., Heuts, S., Olsthoorn, J. R., Maessen, J. G., & Sardari Nia, P. (2019). Mitral valve modelling and three-dimensional printing for planning and simulation of mitral valve repair. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 55(3), 543-551. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezy306
    • Olsthoorn, J. R., Heuts, S., Streukens, S. A. F., Hermans, S. M. M., Maessen, J. G., & Sardari Nia, P. (2019). Unexpected prolapse of the anterior leaflet during saline testing in mitral valve repair. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 55(3), 552-558. https://doi.org/10.1093/ejcts/ezy317
    • Sardari Nia, P., Olsthoorn, J. R., Heuts, S., & Maessen, J. G. (2019). Interactive 3D Reconstruction of Pulmonary Anatomy for Preoperative Planning, Virtual Simulation, and Intraoperative Guiding in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lung Surgery. Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, 14(1), 17-26. https://doi.org/10.1177/1556984519826321