Dominik Linz

Professor

Prof Dominik Linz is a clinician-scientist who received his PhD from Maastricht University, The Netherlands, in 2013 (Prof. U. Schotten) and completed his Cardiology training in Homburg/Saar, Germany, in 2017 (Prof. M. Böhm). In 2017, he was recruited as an Associate Professor and clinical EP-fellow to Adelaide to initiate and drive a translational research programme focussing on atrial fibrillation and sleep disordered breathing at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and University of Adelaide (Prof. P. Sanders). Since 2019, Dr Dominik Linz is a Staff member and consultant clinician at the Heart+Vascular Center, Maastricht UMC+.

Over the past years Prof. Dominik Linz has developed a National and International reputation in the field of cardiac arrhythmia research. The focus of this work has been to understand the pathophysiology and mechanisms underlying atrial arrhythmias and the development of treatment approaches. This research has broadly included: (i) Work describing sleep apnoea associated electrophysiological changes in the atria increasing atrial fibrillation susceptibility. (ii) Description of antiarrhythmic effects of autonomic modulation by renal sympathetic denervation under different pathophysiological conditions. (iii) Work describing the role of the lysosomal carboxypeptidase cathepsin A in the development of an atrial arrhythmogenic substrates. Ongoing research is mainly focused on risk factor modification and preventive interventions for AF.

As of January 2024, Dominik Linz (Department of Cardiology) has been appointed as a professor at Maastricht University. The title of his position is 'Comprehensive Atrial Fibrillation Management.

Department of Cardiology

2024
- Kjeldsen, S. T., Nissen, S. D., Saljic, A., Hesselkilde, E. M., Carstensen, H., Sattler, S. M., Jespersen, T., Linz, D., Hopster-Iversen, C., Kutieleh, R., Sanders, P., & Buhl, R. (2024). Structural and electro-anatomical characterization of the equine pulmonary veins: implications for atrial fibrillation. Journal of Veterinary Cardiology, 52, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvc.2024.01.001
- Linz, D., Andrade, J. G., Arbelo, E., Boriani, G., Breithardt, G., Camm, A. J., Caso, V., Nielsen, J. C., De Melis, M., De Potter, T., Dichtl, W., Diederichsen, S. Z., Dobrev, D., Doll, N., Duncker, D., Dworatzek, E., Eckardt, L., Eisert, C., Fabritz, L., ... Et al. (2024). Longer and better lives for patients with atrial fibrillation: the 9th AFNET/EHRA consensus conference. EP Europace, 26(4), Article euae070. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euae070
- Polman, R., Hurst, J. R., Uysal, O. F., Mandal, S., Linz, D., & Simons, S. (2024). Cardiovascular disease and risk in COPD: a state of the art review. Expert review of cardiovascular therapy, 1-15. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/14779072.2024.2333786
- Gawalko, M., Betz, K., Hendriks, V., Hermans, A. N. L., van der Velden, R. M. J., Manninger, M., Chaldoupi, S.-M., Hoogervorst, H., Martens, H., Pluymaekers, N. A. H. A., Spreeuwenberg, M. D., Hendriks, J., & Linz, D. (2024). Changes in healthcare utilisation during implementation of remote atrial fibrillation management: TeleCheck-AF project. Netherlands Heart Journal, 32(3), 130-139. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-023-01836-6
- Duncker, D., Billig, H., Frey, N., Geiß, E., Johnson, V., Linz, D., Manteufel, S., Meder, B., Messiha, D., Perings, C. A., Rassaf, T., Sommer, P., Thiele, H., & Breitbart, P. (2024). Professioneller Umgang mit sozialen Medien in der Kardiologie: Positionspapier der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Kardiologie. Die Kardiologie, 18(2), 176-186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12181-024-00665-0
- Betz, K., Linz, D., Duncker, D., & Hillmann, H. A. K. (2024). Charakterisierung der Vorhofflimmerlast mittels Wearables. Herzschrittmachertherapie und Elektrophysiologie. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00399-024-00995-2
- 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
- Linz, D., Gawalko, M., Betz, K., Hendriks, J. M., Lip, G. Y. H., Vinter, N., Guo, Y., & Johnsen, S. (2024). Atrial fibrillation: epidemiology, screening and digital health. The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, 37, Article 100786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100786
- Verhaert, D. V. M., Linz, D., & Maesen, B. (2024). Redo cardiac surgery and atrial fibrillation: the ablation dilemma. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 16(1), 8-11. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd-23-1741
- Hertel, J. N., Linz, B., Isaksen, J., Jerltorp, K., Leonhardt, C., Gottlieb, L., Saljic, A., Jespersen, T., & Linz, D. (2024). Inhibition of the acetylcholine-regulated potassium current prevents transient apnea-related atrial arrhythmogenic changes in a porcine model. Heart Rhythm, 21(5), 622-629. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2024.01.033
- van der Velden, R. M. J., Bonander, C., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Kemp-Gudmundsdottir, K., Engdahl, J., Linz, D., & Svennberg, E. (2024). Adherence to a handheld device-based atrial fibrillation screening protocol is associated with clinical outcomes. Heart. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2023-323522
- Farnir, F. I. P., Luermans, J. G. L. M., Farnir, F. P. F. J. D. J., Chaldoupi, S. M., & Linz, D. (2024). Impedance drop during focal monopolar pulsed field ablation in the atrium. Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-024-01793-z
- van der Velden, R. M. J., Pluymaekers, N. A. H. A., Dudink, E. A. M. P., Luermans, J. G. L. M., Meeder, J. G., Heesen, W. F., Lenderink, T., Widdershoven, J. W. M. G., Bucx, J. J. J., Rienstra, M., Kamp, O., van Opstal, J. M., Kirchhof, C. J. H. J., van Dijk, V. F., Swart, H. P., Alings, M., Van Gelder, I. C., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Linz, D. (2024). Cardioversion strategy impacts rate control during recurrences in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: A subanalysis of the RACE 7 ACWAS trial. Clinical Cardiology, 47(1), Article e24161. https://doi.org/10.1002/clc.24161
- Farnir, F., Luermans, J., Manusama, R., den Uijl, D., Chaldoupi, S. M., & Linz, D. (2024). Focal point-by-point pulsed field ablation for the treatment of atrial arrhythmias in patients with challenging anatomy where radiofrequency ablation cannot be applied: A case series. HeartRhythm Case Reports, 10(1), 21-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrcr.2023.10.012
- Linz, D., & Chaldoupi, S.-M. (2024). Longitudinal mapping of the bidirectional relationship between atrial fibrillation and cardiac remodeling. Heart Rhythm, 21(1), 16-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2023.10.018
- Hartmann, S., Immanuel, S., McKane, S., Linz, D., Parrino, L., & Baumert, M. (2024). Transvenous phrenic nerve stimulation for treating central sleep apnea may regulate sleep microstructure. Sleep Medicine, 113(1), 70-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2023.11.005
- Gilbers, M. D., Kawczynski, M. J., Bidar, E., Maesen, B., Isaacs, A., Winters, J., Linz, D., Rienstra, M., van Gelder, I., Maessen, J. G., & Schotten, U. (2024). Clinical Predictors of Device-Detected Atrial Fibrillation During 2.5 Years After Cardiac Surgery: Prospective RACE V Cohort. JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacep.2024.01.013
- Farnir, F., Chaldoupi, S.-M., Farnir, F., Schotten, U., Vernooy, K., Luermans, J., & Linz, D. (2024). Focal point-by-point biphasic monopolar pulsed field ablation for posterior wall isolation. EP Europace, Article euae077. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euae077
- Hermans, B., Özgül, O., Wolf, M., Gonçalves Marques, V., van Hunnik, A., Verheule, S., Chaldoupi, S. 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://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772976124000047
2023
- Mulder, B. A., Khalilian Ekrami, N., Van De Lande, M. E., Nguyen, B.-O., Weberndorfer, V., Crijns, H. J., Geelhoed, B., Blaauw, Y., Hemels, M. E., Tieleman, R. G., Scheerder, C. O., De Melis, M., Schotten, U., Linz, D., Van Gelder, I. C., & Rienstra, M. (2023). Women have less progression of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: data from the RACE V study. Open Heart, 10(2), Article e002534. https://doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2023-002534
- 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
- Linz, D., & Dobrev, D. (2023). Recent highlights on the prevalence and role of sleep disordered breathing in cardiovascular diseases from the International Journal of Cardiology Heart & Vasculature. IJC Heart and Vasculature, 49(1), Article 101287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcha.2023.101287
- 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
- Baumert, M., Linz, D., Pfeifer, M., Tafelmeier, M., Felfeli, P., Arzt, M., & Shahrbabaki, S. S. (2023). Hypoxaemic burden in heart failure patients receiving adaptive servo-ventilation. Esc heart failure, 10(6), 3725–3728. https://doi.org/10.1002/ehf2.14556
- Hereijgers, M. J. M., van der Velden, R. M. J., el Moussaoui, N., Verhaert, D. V. M., Habibi, Z., Luermans, J., den Uijl, D., Chaldoupi, S. M., Vernooy, K., Schotten, U., Baumert, M., Gietema, H. A., Mihl, C., Koltowski, L., Franssen, F. M. E., Simons, S. O., & Linz, D. (2023). Repurposing catheter ablation work-up to detect expiratory airflow limitation in patients with atrial fibrillation. IJC Heart and Vasculature, 49(1), Article 101305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcha.2023.101305
- Linz, D., & Chaldoupi, S.-M. (2023). Tracking changes in 'healthy sleep' for cardiovascular risk assessment. European Heart Journal, 44(47), 4979-4981. Article ehad509. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehad509
- Betz, K., Van Haren, J., Duncker, D., Manninger, M., Lemmink, J., & Linz, D. (2023). Network analysis of the social media activities around the #TeleCheckAF project. European Heart Journal - Digital Health, 5(1), 97-100. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjdh/ztad066
- Steffens, S., Schröder, K., Krüger, M., Maack, C., Streckfuss-Bömeke, K., Backs, J., Backofen, R., Baeßler, B., Devaux, Y., Gilsbach, R., Heijman, J., Knaus, J., Kramann, R., Linz, D., Lister, A. L., Maatz, H., Maegdefessel, L., Mayr, M., Meder, B., ... Kohl, P. (2023). The challenges of research data management in cardiovascular science: a DGK and DZHK position paper-executive summary. Clinical research in cardiology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-023-02303-3
- Tafelmeier, M., Blagoeva, V. G., Trum, M., Hegner, P., Floerchinger, B., Camboni, D., Creutzenberg, M., Zeman, F., Schmid, C., Maier, L. S., Wagner, S., Linz, D., Baumert, M., & Arzt, M. (2023). Predictors of Nocturnal Hypoxemic Burden in Patients Undergoing Elective Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery. Biomedicines, 11(10), Article 2665. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11102665
- Malik, V., Linz, D., & Sanders, P. (2023). The Role of the Autonomic Nervous System as Both “Trigger and “Substrate” in Atrial Fibrillation. Cardiac Electrophysiology Clinics. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccep.2023.08.003
- Frausing, M. H. J. P., van de Lande, M. E., Maass, A. H., Nguyen, B. O., Hemels, M. E. W., Tieleman, R. G., Koldenhof, T., De Melis, M., Linz, D., Schotten, U., Weberndoerfer, V., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Van Gelder, I. C., Nielsen, J. C., & Rienstra, M. (2023). Brady- and tachyarrhythmias detected by continuous rhythm monitoring in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Heart, 109(17), 1286-1293. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2022-322253
- Aydeniz, E., Weberndorfer, V., Brandts, L., Smulders, M. W., van Herpt, T. T. W., Martens, B., Vernooy, K., Linz, D., van der Horst, I. C. C., Wildberger, J. E., van Bussel, B. C. T., Driessen, R. G. H., & Mihl, C. (2023). Pericardial Fat Is Associated With Less Severe Multiorgan Failure Over Time in Patients With Coronavirus Disease-19: The Maastricht Intensive Care COVID Cohort. Journal of Thoracic Imaging. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1097/RTI.0000000000000732
- Shahrbabaki, S. S., Linz, D., & Baumert, M. (2023). Nocturnal pulse wave amplitude attenuations are associated with long-term cardiovascular events. International Journal of Cardiology, 385(1), 55-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.05.047
- Linz, D., Chun, J., Guerra, F., Conte, G., Garcia, R., Kommata, V., Malaczynska-Rajpold, K., Nesti, M., & Duncker, D. (2023). Electrophysiology fellowship experience and requirements: an EHRA survey. EP Europace, 25(9), 1-7. Article euad249. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euad249
- Varma, N., Braunschweig, F., Burri, H., Hindricks, G., Linz, D., Michowitz, Y., Ricci, R. P., & Nielsen, J. C. (2023). Remote monitoring of cardiac implantable electronic devices and disease management. EP Europace, 25(9), Article euad233. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euad233
- Gawalko, M., Linz, D., & Dobrev, D. (2023). Does weight matter in cryoballoon ablation?IJC Heart and Vasculature, 47(1), Article 101251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcha.2023.101251
- Hendriks, J. M., Lee, G., & Linz, D. (2023). Sleeping Beauty unravelled: Detection of sleep apnoea in patients with atrial fibrillation. IJC Heart and Vasculature, 47(1), Article 101237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcha.2023.101237
- Verhaert, D. V. M., Linz, D., Wassink, G. F., Weijs, B., Philippens, S., Luermans, J. G. L. M., Westra, S. W., Schotten, U., Vernooy, K., & den Uijl, D. W. (2023). A new efficient and integrated pathway for patient evaluation prior to atrial fibrillation ablation. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 22(5), 498-505. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjcn/zvac095
- van Mourik, M. J. W., Linz, D., Verwijs, H. J. A., Bekkers, S. C. A. M., Weerts, J., Schotten, U., Rocca, H. B.-L., Lumens, J., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Weijs, B., & Knackstedt, C. (2023). Evaluating subclinical left ventricular and left atrial dysfunction in idiopathic atrial fibrillation: A speckle-tracking based strain-analysis. International Journal of Cardiology, 383(1), 159-165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.04.024
- Tilz, R. R., Schmidt, V., Pürerfellner, H., Maury, P., Chun, K. J., Martinek, M., Sohns, C., Schmidt, B., Mandel, F., Gandjbakhch, E., Laredo, M., Gunawardene, M. A., Willems, S., Beiert, T., Borlich, M., Iden, L., Füting, A., Spittler, R., Gaspar, T., ... Author collaboration (2023). A worldwide survey on incidence, management and prognosis of oesophageal fistula formation following atrial fibrillation catheter ablation: The POTTER-AF study. European Heart Journal, 44(27), 2458-2469. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehad250
- van der Velden, R. M. J., Hereijgers, M. J. M., Arman, N., van Middendorp, N., Franssen, F. M. E., Gawalko, M., Verhaert, D. V. M., Habibi, Z., Vernooy, K., Koltowski, L., Hendriks, J. M., Heidbuchel, H., Desteghe, L., Simons, S. O., & Linz, D. (2023). Implementation of a screening and management pathway for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients with atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 25(7), 1-10. Article euad193. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euad193
- Tu, S. J., Gallagher, C., Elliott, A. D., Bradbury, K. E., Marcus, G. M., Linz, D., Pitman, B. M., Middeldorp, M. E., Hendriks, J. M., Lau, D. H., Sanders, P., & Wong, C. X. (2023). Associations of dietary patterns, ultra-processed food and nutrient intake with incident atrial fibrillation. Heart, 109(22), 1683–1689. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2023-322412
- Manninger, M., Hermans, A. N. L., Caracioni, A.-A., Rohrer, U., Eberl, A.-S., Vernooy, K., Zirlik, A., Linz, D., & Scherr, D. (2023). Photoplethysmography-documented atrial fibrillation in the first week after catheter ablation is associated with lower success rates. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 10(1), Article 1199630. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2023.1199630
- Baumert, M., Linz, D., McKane, S., & Immanuel, S. (2023). Transvenous phrenic nerve stimulation is associated with normalization of nocturnal heart rate perturbations in patients with central sleep apnea. Sleep (Online), 46(9), Article zsad166. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsad166
- Rijks, J. H. J., Lankveld, T., Manusama, R., Broers, B., van Stipdonk, A. M. W., Chaldoupi, S. M., ter Bekke, R. M. A., Schotten, U., Linz, D., Luermans, J. G. L. M., & Vernooy, K. (2023). Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing and Atrioventricular Node Ablation in a Single-Procedure Approach for Elderly Patients with Symptomatic Atrial Fibrillation. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(12), Article 4028. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12124028
- Betz, K., Verhaert, D. V. M., Gawalko, M., Hermans, A. N. L., Habibi, Z., Pluymaekers, N. A. H. A., van der Velden, R. M. J., Homberg, M., Philippens, S., Hereijgers, M. J. M., Vorstermans, B., Simons, S. O., den Uijl, D. W., Chaldoupi, S. M., Luermans, J. G. L. M., Westra, S. W., Lankveld, T., van Steenwijk, R. P., Hol, B., ... Linz, D. (2023). Atrial fibrillation-specific refinement of the STOP-Bang sleep apnoea screening questionnaire: insights from the Virtual-SAFARI study. Clinical research in cardiology, 112(6), 834-845. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-023-02157-9
- Isaksen, J. L., Manninger, M., & Linz, D. (2023). The right modality for the right pulmonary vein shape in ablation for atrial fibrillation. Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology, 66(4), 827-828. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-022-01390-y
- Gawałko, M., Hermans, A. N., van der Velden, R. M., Betz, K., Vm Verhaert, D., Hillmann, H. A., Scherr, D., Meier, J., Sultan, A., Steven, D., Terentieva, E., Pisters, R., Hemels, M., Voorhout, L., Lodziński, P., Krzowski, B., Gupta, D., Kozhuharov, N., Pison, L., ... Hendriks, J. M. (2023). Patient motivation and adherence to an on-demand app-based heart rate and rhythm monitoring for atrial fibrillation management: data from the TeleCheck-AF project. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 22(4), 412-424. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjcn/zvac061
- van de Lande, M. E., Rama, R. S., Koldenhof, T., Arita, V. A., Nguyen, B. O., van Deutekom, C., Weberndorfer, V., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Hemels, M. E. W., Tieleman, R. G., de Melis, M., Schotten, U., Linz, D., Van Gelder, I. C., Rienstra, M., & RACE V Investigators (2023). Time of onset of atrial fibrillation and atrial fibrillation progression data from the RACE V study. EP Europace, 25(5), Article euad058. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euad058
- Palmu, J., Boerschel, C. S., Ortega-Alonso, A., Marko, L., Inouye, M., Jousilahti, P., Salido, R. A., Sanders, K., Brennan, C., Humphrey, G. C., Sanders, J. G., Gutmann, F., Linz, D., Salomaa, V., Havulinna, A. S., Forslund, S. K., Knight, R., Lahti, L., Niiranen, T., & Schnabel, R. B. (2023). Gut microbiome and atrial fibrillation-results from a large population-based study. EBioMedicine, 91(1), Article 104583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104583

Overview

Latest news & events

Professorship Julie Staals

22 April 2024

ERC Advanced Grant awarded to Prof. Andy Baker

15 April 2024

Dominik Linz

Professor