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ERC Advanced Grant awarded to Prof. Andy Baker

ERC Advanced Grant awarded to Prof. Andy Baker

15 April 2024

Prof. Andy Baker (Dept of Pathology) has been awarded a European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant of €2,5M for his research project PolymiRize: Poly-miRNA targeting to prevent and reverse complex tissue remodelling after acute cardiovascular events'.

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Longer and better lives for patients with atrial fibrillation

Longer and better lives for patients with atrial fibrillation

15 April 2024

An international panel of experts published recommendations to improve management of atrial fibrillation (AF).

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Carim Maastricht
Carim Maastricht

Rob Holtackers

Assistant Professor

Rob studied Biomedical Engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology, where he obtained his master’s degree with cum laude distinction in 2015. Immediately after, Rob started his PhD within the department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine at the Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (Maastricht UMC+) under supervision of prof. dr. J.E. Wildberger. His fascination for cardiac MRI made him focus on improving the detection and assessment of subtle subendocardial scar tissue.

In 2017, he got a staff position as MR physicist at Maastricht UMC+ and continued his PhD on a part-time basis. After multiple short- and long-term working visits in London, his research collaboration with King’s College London (KCL) was further intensified by becoming an honorary visiting research associate of KCL in 2019.

Rob successfully defended his PhD thesis with cum laude distinction in early 2022. After obtaining his PhD degree, Rob continues his career as MR physicist at Maastricht UMC+ and CARIM

Robdscf2720

Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine
Prof. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX Maastricht
Building UNS 60, room M1.05
T: +31 43 387 2478

  • 2024
    • Jada, L., Holtackers, R. J., Martens, B., Nies, H. M. J. M., Van De Heyning, C. M., Botnar, R. M., Wildberger, J. E., Ismail, T. F., Razavi, R., & Chiribiri, A. (2024). Quantification of myocardial scar of different etiology using dark- and bright-blood late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Scientific Reports, 14(1), Article 5395. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52058-8
    • Nies, H. M. J. M., Bijvoet, G. P., Smink, J., Chaldoupi, S.-M., Mihl, C., Linz, D., & Holtackers, R. J. (2024). A comprehensive guide on real-time catheter localization techniques in magnetic resonance imaging-guided ablation therapy for cardiac arrhythmias. European Heart Journal Cardiovascular Imaging, 25(2), 149-151. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjci/jead325
  • 2023
    • Hermans, B. J. M., Bijvoet, G. P., Holtackers, R. J., Mihl, C., Luermans, J. G. L. M., Maesen, B., Vernooy, K., Linz, D., Chaldoupi, S. M., & Schotten, U. (2023). Multi-modal characterization of the left atrium by a fully automated integration of pre-procedural cardiac imaging and electro-anatomical mapping. IJC Heart and Vasculature, 49(1), Article 101276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcha.2023.101276
    • Bijvoet, G. P., Nies, H. M. J. M., Holtackers, R. J., Martens, B. M., Smink, J., Linz, D., Vernooy, K., Wildberger, J. E., Nijveldt, R., Chaldoupi, S. M., & Mihl, C. (2023). Tissue characterization of acute lesions during cardiac magnetic resonance-guided ablation of cavo-tricuspid isthmus-dependent atrial flutter: a feasibility study. European Heart Journal Cardiovascular Imaging, Article jead334. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjci/jead334
    • Kaya, Y. S., Stoks, J., Gommers, S., Holtackers, R. J., Duijsings, R., Vernooy, K., Volders, P., & Ter Bekke, R. (2023). Optimal pixel signal intensity threshold for the assessment of endocardial left-ventricular scar by 3D dark blood MRI compared to bipolar voltage electro-anatomical mapping. European Heart Journal, 44.
    • Nies, H. M. J. M., Martens, B., Gommers, S., Bijvoet, G. P., Wildberger, J. E., Ter Bekke, R. M. A., Holtackers, R. J., & Mihl, C. (2023). Myocardial Scar Detection Using High-Resolution Free-Breathing 3D Dark-Blood and Standard Breath-Holding 2D Bright-Blood Late Gadolinium Enhancement MRI: A Comparison of Observer Confidence. Topics in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 32(3), 27-32. https://doi.org/10.1097/RMR.0000000000000304
    • Brendel, J. M., Holtackers, R. J., Geisel, J. N., Kuebler, J., Hagen, F., Gawaz, M., Nikolaou, K., Greulich, S., & Krumm, P. (2023). Dark-Blood Late Gadolinium Enhancement MRI Is Noninferior to Bright-Blood LGE in Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathies. Diagnostics, 13(9), Article 1634. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13091634
    • Nies, H. M. J. M., Gommers, S., Bijvoet, G. P., Heckman, L. I. B., Prinzen, F. W., Vogel, G., Van de Heyning, C. M., Chiribiri, A., Wildberger, J. E., Mihl, C., & Holtackers, R. J. (2023). Histopathological validation of semi-automated myocardial scar quantification techniques for dark-blood late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging. European Heart Journal Cardiovascular Imaging, 24(3), 364-372. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjci/jeac107
    • Stoks, J., Hermans, B. M., Boukens, B. J. D., Holtackers, R. J., Gommers, S., Kaya, Y. S., Vernooy, K., Cluitmans, M. J. M., Volders, P. G. A., & ter Bekke, R. M. A. (2023). High-resolution structural-functional substrate-trigger characterization: Future roadmap for catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 10(1), Article 1112980. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2023.1112980
    • Nies, H. M. J. M., Vromen, T., Mihl, C., Bekkers, S. C. A. M., Rasoul, S., Holtackers, R. J., & Smulders, M. W. (2023). A case report of a myocardial ischaemic attack: a novel hyperenhancement pattern on cardiac magnetic resonance in focal ischaemic injury. European Heart Journal - Case Reports, 7(2), Article ytac496. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjcr/ytac496
    • van Dinther, M., Bennett, J., Thornton, G. D., Voorter, P. H. M., Casajus, A. E., Hughes, A., Captur, G., Holtackers, R. J., Staals, J., Backes, W. H., Bastarika, G., Jones, E. A. V., Gonzalez, A., van Oostenbrugge, R., Treibel, T. A., & CRUCIAL Consortium (2023). Evaluation of miCRovascular rarefaction in vascUlar Cognitive Impairment and heArt faiLure (CRUCIAL): Study protocol for an observational study. Cerebrovascular Diseases Extra, 13(1), 18-32. https://doi.org/10.1159/000529067
  • 2022
    • Bijvoet, G. P., Nies, H. M. J. M., Holtackers, R. J., Linz, D., Adriaans, B. P., Nijveldt, R., Wildberger, J. E., Vernooy, K., Chaldoupi, S.-M., & Mihl, C. (2022). Correlation between Cardiac MRI and Voltage Mapping in Evaluating Atrial Fibrosis: A Systematic Review. Radiology. Cardiothoracic imaging, 4(5), Article e220061. https://doi.org/10.1148/ryct.220061
    • Bijvoet, G. P., Holtackers, R. J., M J M Nies, H., Mihl, C., & Chaldoupi, S.-M. (2022). The role of interventional cardiac magnetic resonance (iCMR) in a typical atrial flutter ablation: The shortest path may not always be the fastest. IJC Heart and Vasculature, 41, 101078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcha.2022.101078
    • 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
    • Holtackers, R. J., Emrich, T., Botnar, R. M., Kooi, M. E., Wildberger, J. E., & Kreitner, K.-F. (2022). Late Gadolinium Enhancement Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging: From Basic Concepts to Emerging Methods. RöFo-Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der Röntgenstrahlen und der Bildgebenden Verfahren, 194(05), 491-504. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1718-4355
    • Van De Heyning, C. M., Holtackers, R. J., Nazir, M. S., Grapsa, J., Demetrescu, C., Pype, L., & Chiribiri, A. (2022). Dark-blood late gadolinium enhancement CMR improves detection of papillary muscle fibrosis in patients with mitral valve prolapse. European Journal of Radiology, 147, Article 110118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2021.110118
    • 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
    • Holtackers, R. J., Gommers, S., Heckman, L. I. B., Van De Heyning, C. M., Chiribiri, A., & Prinzen, F. W. (2022). Histopathological Validation of Dark-Blood Late Gadolinium Enhancement MRI Without Additional Magnetization Preparation. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 55(1), 190-197. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmri.27805
    • Pype, L. L., Holtackers, R. J., Paelinck, B. P., Bekelaar, T., Heidbuchel, H., & Van de Heyning, C. M. (2022). Persistent microvascular obstruction-like lesion after ventricular tachycardia ablation detected by novel dark-blood late gadolinium enhancement. BJR Case Reports, 8(3), Article 20210124. https://doi.org/10.1259/bjrcr.20210124
  • 2021
    • Holtackers, R. J., Wildberger, J. E., Wintersperger, B. J., & Chiribiri, A. (2021). Impact of Field Strength in Clinical Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Investigative Radiology, 56(11), 764-772. https://doi.org/10.1097/RLI.0000000000000809
    • Franks, R., Holtackers, R. J., Alskaf, E., Nazir, M. S., Clapp, B., Wildberger, J. E., Perera, D., Plein, S., & Chiribiri, A. (2021). The impact of dark-blood versus conventional bright-blood late gadolinium enhancement on the myocardial ischemic burden. European Journal of Radiology, 144, Article 109947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2021.109947
    • Bijvoet, G. P., Holtackers, R. J., Smink, J., Lloyd, T., van den Hombergh, C. L. M., Debie, L. J. B. M., Wildberger, J. E., Vernooy, K., Mihl, C., & Chaldoupi, S.-M. (2021). Transforming a pre-existing MRI environment into an interventional cardiac MRI suite. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 32(8), 2090-2096. https://doi.org/10.1111/jce.15128
    • Holtackers, R. J., Van De Heyning, C. M., Chiribiri, A., Wildberger, J. E., Botnar, R. M., & Kooi, M. E. (2021). Dark-blood late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance for improved detection of subendocardial scar: a review of current techniques. Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, 23(1), Article 96. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12968-021-00777-6
    • Adan, F., Oyen, E. M. M., Holtackers, R. J., van Loo, E., Dermont, G.-J., Kelleners-Smeets, N. W. J., Nelemans, P. J., & Mosterd, K. (2021). Topical Application of Glycerol Increases Penetration Depth of Optical Coherence Tomography in Diagnosis of Basal Cell Carcinoma. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 101(6), Article adv00474. https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-3811
    • Holtackers, R. J., Gommers, S., Van De Heyning, C. M., Mihl, C., Smink, J., Higgins, D. M., Wildberger, J. E., & ter Bekke, R. M. A. (2021). Steadily Increasing Inversion Time Improves Blood Suppression for Free-Breathing 3D Late Gadolinium Enhancement MRI With Optimized Dark-Blood Contrast. Investigative Radiology, 56(5), 335-340. https://doi.org/10.1097/RLI.0000000000000747
    • Heusinkveld, M. H. G., Holtackers, R. J., Adriaans, B. P., Op't Roodt, J., Arts, T., Delhaas, T., Reesink, K. D., & Huberts, W. (2021). Complementing sparse vascular imaging data by physiological adaptation rules. Journal of Applied Physiology, 130(3), 571-588. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00250.2019
    • Holtackers, R. J., Ter Bekke, R. M. A., Bijvoet, G. P., Gommers, S., Chiribiri, A., & Lorusso, R. (2021). A Boolean Dilemma: True or False Aneurysm?JACC. Case reports, 3(1), 112-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccas.2020.09.055
  • 2019
    • Holtackers, R. J., Van De Heyning, C. M., Nazir, M. S., Rashid, I., Ntalas, I., Rahman, H., Botnar, R. M., & Chiribiri, A. (2019). Clinical value of dark-blood late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance without additional magnetization preparation. Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, 21, Article 44. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12968-019-0556-1
    • Crombag, G. A. J. C., van Hoof, R. H. M., Holtackers, R. J., Schreuder, F. H. B. M., Truijman, M. T. B., Schreuder, T. A. H. C. M. L., van Orshoven, N. P., Mess, W. H., Hofman, P. A. M., van Oostenbrugge, R. J., Wildberger, J. E., & Kooi, M. E. (2019). Symptomatic Carotid Plaques Demonstrate Less Leaky Plaque Microvasculature Compared With the Contralateral Side: A Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study. Journal of the American Heart Association, 8(8), Article 011832. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.118.011832
  • 2018
    • Heusinkveld, M. H. G., Quicken, S., Holtackers, R. J., Huberts, W., Reesink, K. D., Delhaas, T., & Spronck, B. (2018). Uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis of an arterial wall mechanics model for evaluation of vascular drug therapies. Biomechanics and modeling in mechanobiology, 17(1), 55-69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10237-017-0944-0
  • 2017
    • Holtackers, R. J., Chiribiri, A., Schneider, T., Higgins, D. M., & Botnar, R. M. (2017). Dark-blood late gadolinium enhancement without additional magnetization preparation. Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, 19, Article 64. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12968-017-0372-4
  • 2016
    • Holtackers, R. J., Spronck, B., Heusinkveld, M. H. G., Crombag, G., op het Roodt, J., Delhaas, T., Kooi, E., Reesink, K. D., & Hermeling, E. (2016). Head orientation should be considered in ultrasound studies on carotid artery distensibility. Journal of Hypertension, 34(8), 1551-1555. https://doi.org/10.1097/HJH.0000000000000985
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