Menu

Latest news & events

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.

Read more
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.

Read more
More newsMore events
Carim Maastricht
Carim Maastricht

Ben Hermans

Post doc

Dr Ben Hermans studied Medical Technology (Dutch: Biometrie) at the Zuyd University for Applied Sciences. After his graduation in 2009, he started to study Technical Medicine at the University of Twente in Enschede. In 2015 he obtained his Master’s degree after finishing his graduation internship at the departments of Biomedical Engineering, Physiology and Cardiology. In September 2015, Ben started as a PhD candidate at the department of Biomedical Engineering under supervision of prof. Delhaas, prof. Pison (Hasselt University) and dr. Postema (Amsterdam UMC). During this time, he focused on improving the diagnosis of Long-QT Syndrome by advanced signal analyses of standard electrocardiograms. After obtaining his PhD in January 2020, Ben started as a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Physiology.

Currently, Ben is involved in several projects that focus on improving treatment and/or understanding of atrial fibrillation (AF) by studying electrophysiological properties of the atria. For example, by analysing invasive direct contact mapping data or by analysing non-invasive ECG-imaging. Specific projects of research include validating the use of non-invasive ECG-imaging for atrial arrhythmias or applying new innovative signal-analysis techniques on contact mapping data from AF patients to ultimately find new ablation targets for the treatment of AF.

Ben hermans 5f7d5a2e9ef23

Department of Physiology
Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht
PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht
Room number: 3.108
T: +31(0)43 388 13 20

  • 2026
    • Hermans, B. J., Farnir, F. I., Bijvoet, G. P., Larsen, B. S., Jespersen, T., Jerltorp, K., Holtackers, R. J., Mihl, C., Schotten, U., Vernooy, K., Luermans, J. G., Chaldoupi, S.-M., & Linz, D. (2026). Visualization of monopolar biphasic focal pulsed field ablation lesions 3 months after pulmonary vein isolation on high-resolution 3-dimensional dark-blood late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance images. Heart Rhythm, 23(2), 243-248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2025.07.047
    • Farnir, F. I. P., Chaldoupi, S.-M., Hermans, B., Johannessen, A., Haugdal, M. A., Ruwald, M. H., Tasnim Mohaissen, J. G. L. M., Saljic, A., Jerltorp, K., Nissen, S. D., Hertel, J. N., Farnir, F., Jespersen, T., Schotten, U., Luermans, J. G. L. M., Vernooy, K., Hansen, J., & Linz, D. (2026). Ablation of cavo-tricuspid isthmus dependent atrial flutter using a focal monopolar pulsed-field ablation catheter: Feasibility, periprocedural coronary spasms and conduction disorders. Heart Rhythm, 23(1), 105-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2025.07.001
    • Engels, M. D. E. A., Hermans, A. N. L., Hermans, B. J. M., Luermans, J., Chaldoupi, S.-M., Hendriks, J. M. L., Lankveld, T., Kessels, M. V. M., Vorstermans, B. J. G. H., Beukema, R. J., Vernooy, K., Heesen, W., & Linz, D. K. (2026). Smartphone application-based heart rhythm monitoring to cancel scheduled electrical cardioversion in patients with spontaneous conversion of presumed persistent atrial fibrillation: TeleConvert-AF. European Heart Journal - Digital Health, 7(2), Article ztaf140. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjdh/ztaf140
  • 2025
    • Hertel, J. N., Nissen, S. D., Lindberg, L. A., Schneider, M., Niskala, A., Isaksen, J. L., Jerltorp, K., Ye, C., Hermans, B. J. M., Aerts, L., Maesen, B., Chaldoupi, S.-M., Coffey, K., Reilly, J., O'Brien, B., Jespersen, T., Saljic, A., & Linz, D. (2025). Targeted epicardial pulsed field ablation of atrial ganglionated plexi: Electrophysiological and histologic analysis in pigs. Heart Rhythm, 22(12), 3289-3299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2025.06.016
    • Zeemering, S., Borof, K., Schotten, U., Obergassel, J., Camm, A. J., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Eckardt, L., Fabritz, L., Goette, A., Habibi, Z., Heijman, J., Hermans, B. J. M., Lemoine, M. D., Magnussen, C., Metzner, A., Rillig, A., Schnabel, R. B., Schuijt, E., Suling, A., ... Kirchhof, P. (2025). Estimated atrial fibrillation burden on early rhythm-control and cardiovascular events in the EAST-AFNET 4 trial. EClinicalMedicine, 88, Article 103457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2025.103457
    • Isaksen, J. L., Norregaard, M., Manninger, M., Dobrev, D., Jespersen, T., Hermans, B., Heijman, J., Plank, G., Scherr, D., Pock, T., Thambawita, V., Riegler, M. A., Kanters, J. K., & Linz, D. (2025). Evaluating artificial intelligence-enabled medical tests in cardiology: Best practice. IJC Heart and Vasculature, 60, Article 101783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcha.2025.101783
    • Farnir, F., Chaldoupi, S.-M., Hermans, B. J., Farnir, F., Habibi, Z., Jerltorp, K., Verhaert, D., Schotten, U., Maesen, B., Vernooy, K., Luermans, J., & Linz, D. (2025). A tailored substrate-based approach using focal pulsed field catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation and advanced atrial substrate: Procedural data and 6-month success rates. Heart Rhythm, 22(8), 1957-1968. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2025.01.015
    • Habibi, Z., Verhaert, D. V. M., Betz, K., Hermans, B. J. M., Winters, J., Philippens, S. A. M., Chaldoupi, S. M., Maesen, B., Maessen, J. G., Isaacs, A., Westra, S. W., Nijveldt, R., Gillet, L., Wienhues-Thelen, U. H., Koehler, M., Zeemering, S., Vernooy, K., Linz, D., & Schotten, U. (2025). Association of atrial fibrillation burden and clinical profile with blood biomarkers: Results from the ISOLATION Ablation Cohort. Heart Rhythm O2, 6(5), 661-670. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hroo.2025.02.017
    • Smits, K. C., Bressi, E., Rademakers, L. M., Rijks, J. H. J., van Stipdonk, A. M. W., Engels, E. B., Isaacs, A., Hermans, B. J. M., Grieco, D., Luermans, J. G. L. M., Vernooy, K., Prinzen, F. W., & Nguyen, U. C. (2025). Time-dependent repolarization changes following left bundle branch area pacing vs. conventional biventricular pacing in patients with dyssynchronous heart failure. EP Europace, 27(3), Article euaf034. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euaf034
    • Isaacs, A., Zeemering, S., Winters, J., Batlle, M., Bidar, E., Boukens, B., Casadei, B., Chua, W., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Fabritz, L., Guasch, E., Hatem, S. N., Hermans, B., Kääb, S., Kawczynski, M., Maesen, B., Maessen, J., Mont, L., Sinner, M. F., ... Stoll, M. (2025). Lateral Atrial Expression Patterns Provide Insights into Local Transcription Disequilibrium Contributing to Disease Susceptibility. Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine, 18(1), Article e004594. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCGEN.124.004594
    • Ozgul, O., Marques, V. G., Hermans, B. JM., van Hunnik, A., Verheule, S., Gharaviri, A., Pezzuto, S., Auricchio, A., Schotten, U., Bonizzi, P., & Zeemering, S. (2025). High-density and high-coverage composite atrial activation maps: an in-silico validation study. Ieee Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 72(1), 79-89. https://doi.org/10.1109/TBME.2024.3439502
  • 2024
    • Linz, D., & Hermans, B. J. M. (2024). Remote technical support of nurse-lead electro-anatomic mapping during complex catheter ablation procedures. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 23(8), e179-e180. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjcn/zvae108
    • Bijvoet, G. P., Hermans, B. J. M., Linz, D., Luermans, J. G. L. M., Maesen, B., Nijveldt, R., Mihl, C., Vernooy, K., Wildberger, J. E., Holtackers, R. J., Schotten, U., & Chaldoupi, S.-M. (2024). Optimal Threshold and Interpatient Variability in Left Atrial Ablation Scar Assessment by Dark-Blood LGE CMR. JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, 10(10), 2186-2197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacep.2024.05.017
    • Paulussen, E., Van Steenkiste, G., Hermans, B. J. M., Decloedt, A., van Loon, G., & Delhaas, T. (2024). Einthoven's triangle adapted for horses: Proposal for the Delta configuration. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 38(5), 2698-2706. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.17179
    • Hermans, B., Özgül, O., Wolf, M., Gonçalves Marques, V., van Hunnik, A., Verheule, S., Chaldoupi, M., Linz, D., El Haddad, M., Duytschaever, M., Bonizzi, P., Vernooy, K., Knecht, S., Zeemering, S., & Schotten, U. (2024). Selecting repetitive focal and rotational activation patterns with the highest probability of being a source of atrial fibrillation. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology Plus, 7, Article 100064. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmccpl.2024.100064
  • 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
    • Winters, J., Isaacs, A., Zeemering, S., Kawczynski, M., Maesen, B., Maessen, J., Bidar, E., Boukens, B., Hermans, B., van Hunnik, A., Casadei, B., Fabritz, L., Chua, W., Sommerfeld, L., Guasch, E., Mont, L., Batlle, M., Hatem, S., Kirchhof, P., ... Schotten, U. (2023). Heart Failure, Female Sex, and Atrial Fibrillation Are the Main Drivers of Human Atrial Cardiomyopathy: Results From the CATCH ME Consortium. Journal of the American Heart Association, 12(22), Article e031220. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.123.031220
    • Neumann, B., Vink, A. S., Hermans, B. J. M., Lieve, K. V. V., Cömert, D., Beckmann, B.-M., Clur, S.-A. B., Blom, N. A., Delhaas, T., Wilde, A. A. M., Kääb, S., Postema, P. G., & Sinner, M. F. (2023). Manual vs. automatic assessment of the QT-interval and corrected QT. EP Europace, 25(9), 1-12. Article euad213. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euad213
    • Vink, A. S., Hermans, B. J. M., Hooglugt, J. L. Q., Peltenburg, P. J., Meijborg, V. M. F., Hofman, N., Clur, S. A. B., Blom, N. A., Delhaas, T., Wilde, A. A. M., & Postema, P. G. (2023). Diagnostic Accuracy of the Standing Test in Adults Suspected for Congenital Long-QT Syndrome. Journal of the American Heart Association, 12(14), Article e026419. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.122.026419
    • Ozgul, O., Hermans, B. JM., van Hunnik, A., Verheule, S., Schotten, U., Bonizzi, P., & Zeemering, S. (2023). High-density and high coverage composite mapping of repetitive atrial activation patterns. Computers in Biology and Medicine, 159(1), Article 106920. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.106920
    • 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
  • 2022
    • Hermans, B. J. M., Weberndörfer, V., Bijvoet, G. P., Chaldoupi, S.-M., & Linz, D. (2022). New concepts in atrial fibrillation pathophysiology. Herzschrittmachertherapie und Elektrophysiologie, 33, 362-366. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00399-022-00897-1
    • Kawczynski, M. J., Van De Walle, S., Maesen, B., Isaacs, A., Zeemering, S., Hermans, B., Vernooy, K., Maessen, J. G., Schotten, U., & Bidar, E. (2022). Preoperative P-wave parameters and risk of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of 20,201 patients. Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, 35(4), Article ivac220. https://doi.org/10.1093/icvts/ivac220
    • Heines, S. J. H., van Bussel, B. C. T., Jong, M. J. A., Bennis, F. C., van Gassel, R. J. J., Groven, R. V. M., Heijnen, N. F. L., Hermans, B. J. M., Hounjet, R., van Koll, J., Mulder, M. M. G., van de Poll, M. C. G., van Rosmalen, F., Segers, R., Steyns, S., Strauch, U., Tas, J., van der Horst, I. C. C., van Kuijk, S. M. J., & Bergmans, D. C. J. J. (2022). Pulmonary pathophysiology development of COVID-19 assessed by serial Electrical Impedance Tomography in the MaastrICCht cohort. Scientific Reports, 12(1), Article 14517. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-18843-z
    • de Veld, L., van der Lely, N., Hermans, B. J. M., van Hoof, J. J., Wong, L., & Vink, A. S. (2022). QTc prolongation in adolescents with acute alcohol intoxication. European Journal of Pediatrics, 181(7), 2757-2770. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-022-04471-2
    • 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
    • Zink, M. D., Laureanti, R., Hermans, B. J. M., Pison, L., Verheule, S., Philippens, S., Pluymaekers, N., Vroomen, M., Hermans, A., van Hunnik, A., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Vernooy, K., Linz, D., Mainardi, L., Auricchio, A., Zeemering, S., & Schotten, U. (2022). Extended ECG Improves Classification of Paroxysmal and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Based on P- and f-Waves. Frontiers in physiology, 13, Article 779826. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.779826
    • Van Steenkiste, G., Delhaas, T., Hermans, B., Vera, L., Decloedt, A., & van Loon, G. (2022). An Exploratory Study on Vectorcardiographic Identification of the Site of Origin of Focally Induced Premature Depolarizations in Horses, Part II: The Ventricles. Animals, 12(5), Article 550. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12050550
    • Van Steenkiste, G., Delhaas, T., Hermans, B., Vera, L., Decloedt, A., & van Loon, G. (2022). An Exploratory Study on Vectorcardiographic Identification of the Site of Origin of Focally Induced Premature Depolarizations in Horses, Part I: The Atria. Animals, 12(5), Article 549. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12050549
  • 2021
    • Hermans, B. J. M., Zink, M. D., Rosmalen, F. V., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Vernooy, K., Postema, P., Pison, L., Schotten, U., & Delhaas, T. (2021). Corrected QT interval prolongation after ganglionated plexus ablation: myth or reality?-Authors' reply. EP Europace, 23(12), 2047-2048. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euab148
    • Hermans, B. J. M., Zink, M. D., Rosmalen, F. V., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Vernooy, K., Postema, P., Pison, L., Schotten, U., & Delhaas, T. (2021). Does pulmonary vein isolation prolong QT-interval?-Authors' reply. EP Europace, 23(12), 2046-2047. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euab153
    • ter Meulen, K. J., Hermans, B. J. M., van der Sande, F. M., Canaud, B., Konings, C. J. A. M., Kooman, J. P., & Delhaas, T. (2021). Effect of citric-acid dialysate on the QTC-interval. Scientific Reports, 11(1), Article 9909. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-89083-w
    • Vink, A. S., Hermans, B. J. M., Pimenta, J., Peltenburg, P. J., Filippini, L. H. P. M., Hofman, N., Clur, S.-A. B., Blom, N. A., Wilde, A. A. M., Delhaas, T., & Postema, P. G. (2021). Diagnostic accuracy of the response to the brief tachycardia provoked by standing in children suspected for long QT syndrome. Heart Rhythm O2, 2(2), 149-159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hroo.2021.03.005
    • 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
    • Hermans, B. J. M., Zink, M. D., van Rosmalen, F., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Vernooy, K., Postema, P., Pison, L., Schotten, U., & Delhaas, T. (2021). Pulmonary vein isolation in a real-world population does not influence QTc interval. EP Europace, 23, I48-I54. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euaa390
    • Hermans, B. J. M., & Linz, D. (2021). Abnormal electrograms during sinus rhythm for VT ablation: Beware of Fata Morganas. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 32(2), 389-390. https://doi.org/10.1111/jce.14855
  • 2020
    • Hermans, B. J. M., Bennis, F. C., Vink, A. S., Koopsen, T., Lyon, A., Wilde, A. A. M., Nuyens, D., Robyns, T., Pison, L., Postema, P. G., & Delhaas, T. (2020). Improving long QT syndrome diagnosis by a polynomial-based T-wave morphology characterization. Heart Rhythm, 17(5), 752-758. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2019.12.020
    • Tas, J., van Gassel, R. J. J., Heines, S. J. H., Mulder, M. M. G., Heijnen, N. F. L., Acampo-de Jong, M. J., Bels, J. L. M., Bennis, F. C., Koelmann, M., Groven, R. V. M., Donkers, M. A., van Rosmalen, F., Hermans, B. J. M., Meex, S. J. R., Mingels, A., Bekers, O., Savelkoul, P., Oude Lashof, A. M. L., Wildberger, J., ... van Bussel, B. C. T. (2020). Serial measurements in COVID-19-induced acute respiratory disease to unravel heterogeneity of the disease course: design of the Maastricht Intensive Care COVID cohort (MaastrICCht). BMJ Open, 10(9), Article 040175. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040175
  • 2019
    • Delhaas, T., Andriessen, P., van Laar, J. O. E. H., Vullings, R., Hermans, B. J. M., Niemarkt, H. J., Jellema, R. K., Ophelders, D. R. M. G., Wolfs, T. G. A. M., Kramer, B. W., & Zwanenburg, A. (2019). Why-aVF can be used in STAN as a proxy for scalp electrode-derived signal; reply to comments by Kjellmer et al.PLOS ONE, 14(8), Article 0221220. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0221220
  • 2018
    • Hermans, B. J. M., Stoks, J., Bennis, F. C., Vink, A. S., Garde, A., Wilde, A. A. M., Pison, L., Postema, P. G., & Delhaas, T. (2018). Support vector machine-based assessment of the T-wave morphology improves long QT syndrome diagnosis. EP Europace, 20, 113-119. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euy243
    • Sathyaprabha, T. N., Koot, L. A. M., Hermans, B. H. M., Adoor, M., Sinha, S., Kramer, B. W., Raju, T. R., Satishchandra, P., & Delhaas, T. (2018). Effects of Chronic Carbamazepine Treatment on the ECG in Patients with Focal Seizures. Clinical Drug Investigation, 38(9), 845-851. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-018-0677-6
    • Engels, E. B., Mafi-Rad, M., Hermans, B. J. M., Aranda, A., van Stipdonk, A. M. W., Rienstra, M., Scheerder, C. O. S., Maass, A. H., Prinzen, F. W., & Vernooy, K. (2018). Tailoring device settings in cardiac resynchronization therapy using electrograms from pacing electrodes. EP Europace, 20(7), 1146-1153. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eux208
    • Filippini, L. H. P. M., Postema, P. G., Zoubin, K., Hermans, B. J. M., Blom, N. A., Delhaas, T., & Wilde, A. A. M. (2018). The brisk-standing-test for long QT syndrome in prepubertal school children: defining normal. EP Europace, 20(FI1), F108-F112. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eux259
    • Andriessen, P., Zwanenburg, A., van Laar, J. O. E. H., Vullings, R., Hermans, B. J. M., Niemarkt, H. J., Jellema, R. K., Ophelders, D. R. M. G., Wolfs, T. G. A. M., Kramer, B. W., & Delhaas, T. (2018). ST waveform analysis for monitoring hypoxic distress in fetal sheep after prolonged umbilical cord occlusion. PLOS ONE, 13(4), Article e0195978. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195978
  • 2017
    • Hermans, B. J. M., Vink, A. S., Bennis, F. C., Filippini, L. H., Meijborg, V. M. F., Wilde, A. A. M., Pison, L., Postema, P. G., & Delhaas, T. (2017). The development and validation of an easy to use automatic QT-interval algorithm. PLOS ONE, 12(9), Article 0184352. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0184352
  • 2016
    • Zwanenburg, A., Hermans, B. J. M., Andriessen, P., Niemarkt, H. J., Jellema, R. K., Ophelders, D. R. M. G., Vullings, R., Wolfs, T. G. A. M., Kramer, B. W., & Delhaas, T. (2016). Comparison of ECG-based physiological markers for hypoxia in a preterm ovine model. Pediatric Research, 79(6), 907-915. https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2016.21
Overview