Frits Prinzen

Professor

Frits Prinzen is emeritus professor of Physiology. He studied Medical Biology in Utrecht and defended his PhD in Maastricht in 1982. His research focusses on the relation between the electrical activation and mechanical contraction and pump function of the heart, with specific application to pacemaker therapies in heart failure. His work is highly translational, ranging from preclinical to clinical research and more recently also using computer simulations. Results from his work provided new insights in and opportunities for pacemaker therapies. He has participated in the CTMM-COHFAR consortium and has been and is workpackage leader in several EU-funded projects, including an International Training Network (Personalised in silico Cardiology). Several of his team members achieved personal grants (ZonMw Veni, Vidi, Clinical Fellow; Netherlands Heart Foundation junior and senior postdoc; young staff member). Besides, he ran multiple investigator-initiated studies that were funded by industry. He has been chairman of the Cardiovascular System Dynamics Society and of the Innovation Committee of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA). Currently he is member of the Scientific Initiatives Committee of EHRA. He is (co-)author on 330 scientific articles, with >10,000 citations and H-index of 56.

His main research topic is regional cardiac mechanics and long-term structural and functional adaptations to various conditions, with emphasis on asynchronous electrical activation and cardiac resynchronisation. Primarily animal experimental work, but with important links to Biomedical Engineering (computer models of cardiac electrophysiology and mechanics) and Cardiology (patients with pacemakers, bundle branch block, heart failure). With this background Prof. Frits Prinzen is a world expert on pacing therapies, both for bradycardia and for heart failure (cardiac resynchronisation therapy, CRT).

Department of Physiology
Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht
PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht
T: +31(0)43 3881080
  • 2024
    • Leinveber, P., Halamek, J., Curila, K., Prinzen, F., Lipoldova, J., Matejkova, M., Smisek, R., Plesinger, F., Nagy, A., Novak, M., Viscor, I., Vondra, V., & Jurak, P. (2024). Ultra-high-frequency ECG volumetric and negative derivative epicardial ventricular electrical activation pattern. Scientific Reports, 14(1), Article 5681. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55789-w
    • Nguyên, U. C., Prinzen, F. W., & Vernooy, K. (2024). Left ventricular lead placement in cardiac resynchronization therapy: current data and potential explanations for lack of benefit. Heart Rhythm, 21(2), 197-205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2023.10.003
    • Koopsen, T., Gerrits, W., van Osta, N., van Loon, T., Wouters, P., Prinzen, F. W., Vernooy, K., Delhaas, T., Teske, A. J., Meine, M., Cramer, M. J., & Lumens, J. (2024). Virtual pacing of a patient’s digital twin to predict left ventricular reverse remodelling after cardiac resynchronization therapy. EP Europace, 26(1), Article euae009. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euae009
    • Dural, M., Ghossein, M. A., Gerrits, W., Daniels, F., Meine, M., Maass, A. H., Rienstra, M., Prinzen, F. W., Vernooy, K., & van Stipdonk, A. M. W. (2024). Association of vectorcardiographic T-wave area with clinical and echocardiographic outcomes in cardiac resynchronization therapy. EP Europace, 26(1), Article euad370. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euad370
  • 2023
    • Westphal, P., Luo, H., Shahmohammadi, M., Prinzen, F. W., Delhaas, T., & Cornelussen, R. N. (2023). Machine learning–powered, device-embedded heart sound measurement can optimize AV delay in patients with CRT. Heart Rhythm, 20(9), 1316-1324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2023.05.025
    • Ellenbogen, K. A., Auricchio, A., Burri, H., Gold, M. R., Leclercq, C., Leyva, F., Linde, C., Jastrzebski, M., Prinzen, F., & Vernooy, K. (2023). The evolving state of cardiac resynchronization therapy and conduction system pacing: 25 years of research at EP Europace journal. EP Europace, 25(8), 1-16. Article euad168. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euad168
    • Beela, A. S., Manetti, C. A., Lyon, A., Prinzen, F. W., Delhaas, T., Herbots, L., & Lumens, J. (2023). Impact of Estimated Left Atrial Pressure on Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Outcome. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(15), Article 4908. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12154908
    • Munneke, A. G., Lumens, J., Arts, T., Prinzen, F. W., & Delhaas, T. (2023). Myocardial perfusion and flow reserve in the asynchronous heart: mechanistic insight from a computational model. Journal of Applied Physiology, 135(3), 489-499. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00181.2023
    • Meiburg, R., Rijks, J. H. J., Beela, A. S., Bressi, E., Grieco, D., Delhaas, T., Luermans, J. G. L. M., Prinzen, F. W., Vernooy, K., & Lumens, J. (2023). Comparison of novel ventricular pacing strategies using an electro-mechanical simulation platform. EP Europace, 25(6), 1-11. Article euad144. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euad144
    • Petras, A., Gsell, M. A. F., Augustin, C. M., Rodriguez-Padilla, J., Jung, A., Strocchi, M., Prinzen, F. W., Niederer, S. A., Plank, G., & Vigmond, E. J. (2023). Mechanoelectric effects in healthy cardiac function and under Left Bundle Branch Block pathology. Computers in Biology and Medicine, 156(1), Article 106696. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.106696
    • Rijks, J., Ghossein, M. A., Wouters, P. C., Dural, M., Maass, A. H., Meine, M., Kloosterman, M., Luermans, J., Prinzen, F. W., Vernooy, K., & van Stipdonk, A. M. W. (2023). Comparison of the relation of the ESC 2021 and ESC 2013 definitions of left bundle branch block with clinical and echocardiographic outcome in cardiac resynchronization therapy. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 34(4), 1006-1014. https://doi.org/10.1111/jce.15882
    • Luo, H., Westphal, P., Shahmohammadi, M., Heckman, L. I. B., Kuiper, M., Cornelussen, R. N., Delhaas, T., & Prinzen, F. W. (2023). Heart sound-derived systolic time intervals for atrioventricular delay optimization in cardiac resynchronization therapy. Heart Rhythm, 20(4), 572-579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2022.12.031
    • Kircanski, B., Boveda, S., Prinzen, F., Sorgente, A., Anic, A., Conte, G., & Burri, H. (2023). Corrigendum: Conduction system pacing in everyday clinical practice: EHRA physician survey. EP Europace, 25(3), 1199-1199. Article euad037. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euad037
    • Curila, K., Jurak, P., Prinzen, F., Jastrzebski, M., Waldauf, P., Halamek, J., Tothova, M., Znojilova, L., Smisek, R., Kach, J., Poviser, L., Linkova, H., Plesinger, F., Moskal, P., Viscor, I., Vondra, V., Leinveber, P., & Osmancik, P. (2023). Bipolar anodal septal pacing with direct LBB capture preserves physiological ventricular activation better than unipolar left bundle branch pacing. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 10(1), Article 1140988. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2023.1140988
    • Wouters, P. C., van de Leur, R. R., Vessies, M. B., van Stipdonk, A. M. W., Ghossein, M. A., Hassink, R. J., Doevendans, P. A., van der Harst, P., Maass, A. H., Prinzen, F. W., Vernooy, K., Meine, M., & van Es, R. (2023). Electrocardiogram-based deep learning improves outcome prediction following cardiac resynchronization therapy. European Heart Journal, 44(8), 680–692. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehac617
    • 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
    • Kircanski, B., Boveda, S., Prinzen, F., Sorgente, A., Anic, A., Conte, G., & Burri, H. (2023). Conduction system pacing in everyday clinical practice: EHRA physician survey. EP Europace, 25(2), 682-687. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euac201
    • Maffessanti, F., Jadczyk, T., Wilczek, J., Conte, G., Caputo, M. L., Biernat, J., Cybulska, M., Caluori, G., Regoli, F., Krause, R., Wojakowski, W., Prinzen, F. W., Auricchio, A., & Golba, K. S. (2023). Electromechanical factors associated with favourable outcome in cardiac resynchronization therapy. EP Europace, 25(2), 546-553. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euac157
    • Luo, H., Weerts, J., Bekkers, A., Achten, A., Lievens, S., Smeets, K., van Empel, V., Delhaas, T., & Prinzen, F. W. (2023). Association between phonocardiography and echocardiography in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction. European Heart Journal - Digital Health, 4(1), 4-11. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjdh/ztac073
    • Prinzen, F. W., Lumens, J., Duchenne, J., & Vernooy, K. (2023). Erratum to: Electro-energetics of Biventricular, Septal and Conduction System Pacing. Arrhythmia & Electrophysiology Review, 12, Article e19. https://doi.org/10.15420/aer.2023.12.er1
    • van Nieuwenhoven, F. A., Schroen, B., Barile, L., van Middendorp, L., Prinzen, F. W., & Auricchio, A. (2023). Plasma Extracellular Vesicles as Liquid Biopsy to Unravel the Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiac Reverse Remodeling Following Resynchronization Therapy?Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(2), Article 665. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12020665
    • Wouters, P. C., Zweerink, A., van Everdingen, W. M., Ghossein, M. A., de Roest, G. J., Cramer, M. J., Doevendans, P. A. F. M., Vernooy, K., Prinzen, F. W., Allaart, C. P., & Meine, M. (2023). Prognostic implications of invasive hemodynamics during cardiac resynchronization therapy: stroke work outperforms dP/dt<inf>max</inf>Heart Rhythm O2, 4(12), 777-783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hroo.2023.11.003
  • 2022
    • Wouters, P. C., van Everdingen, W. M., Vernooy, K., Geelhoed, B., Allaart, C. P., Rienstra, M., Maass, A. H., Vos, M. A., Prinzen, F. W., Meine, M., & Cramer, M. J. (2022). Does mechanical dyssynchrony in addition to QRS area ensure sustained response to cardiac resynchronization therapy?European Heart Journal Cardiovascular Imaging, 23(12), 1628-1635. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjci/jeab264
    • Shahmohammadi, M., Huberts, W., Luo, H. X., Westphal, P., Cornelussen, R. N., Prinzen, F. W., & Delhaas, T. (2022). Hemodynamics-driven mathematical model of third heart sound generation. Frontiers in physiology, 13, Article 847164. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.847164
    • Ploeg, M. C., Munts, C., Seddiqi, T., ten Brink, T. J. L., Breemhaar, J., Moroni, L., Prinzen, F. W., & van Nieuwenhoven, F. A. (2022). Culturing of Cardiac Fibroblasts in Engineered Heart Matrix Reduces Myofibroblast Differentiation but Maintains Their Response to Cyclic Stretch and Transforming Growth Factor beta 1. Bioengineering, 9(10), Article 551. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering9100551
    • Luo, H., Lamata, P., Bazin, S., Bautista, T., Barclay, N., Shahmohammadi, M., Lubrecht, J. M., Delhaas, T., & Prinzen, F. W. (2022). Smartphone as an electronic stethoscope: factors influencing heart sound quality. European Heart Journal - Digital Health, 3(3), 473-480. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjdh/ztac044
    • Verzaal, N. J., van Deursen, C. J. M., Pezzuto, S., Wecke, L., van Everdingen, W. M., Vernooy, K., Delhaas, T., Auricchio, A., & Prinzen, F. W. (2022). Synchronization of repolarization after cardiac resynchronization therapy: A combined clinical and modeling study. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 33(8), 1837-1846. https://doi.org/10.1111/jce.15581
    • Bouwmeester, S., Mast, T., Prinzen, F., Dekker, L., & Houthuizen, P. (2022). Predictive value of left atrial remodeling for response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Journal of Ultrasonography, 22(90), E168-E173. https://doi.org/10.15557/JoU.2022.0027
    • Bouwmeester, S., van Loon, T., Ploeg, M., Mast, T. P., Verzaal, N. J., van Middendorp, L. B., Strik, M., van Nieuwenhoven, F. A., Dekker, L. R., Prinzen, F. W., Lumens, J., & Houthuizen, P. (2022). Left atrial remodeling in mitral regurgitation: A combined experimental-computational study. PLOS ONE, 17(7), Article e0271588. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0271588
    • Bouwmeester, S., Mast, T. P., Keulards, D. C. J., de Lepper, A. G. W., Herold, I. H. F., Dekker, L. R., Prinzen, F. W., & Houthuizen, P. (2022). Left atrial reverse remodeling predicts long-term survival after cardiac resynchronization therapy. Journal of Echocardiography, 20(2), 115-123. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12574-021-00559-0
    • Rijks, J., Luermans, J., Heckman, L., van Stipdonk, A. M. W., Prinzen, F., Lumens, J., & Vernooy, K. (2022). Physiology of Left Ventricular Septal Pacing and Left Bundle Branch Pacing. Cardiac Electrophysiology Clinics, 14(2), 181-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccep.2021.12.010
    • Westphal, P., Luo, H. X., Shahmohammadi, M., Heckman, L. I. B., Kuiper, M., Prinzen, F. W., Delhaas, T., & Cornelussen, R. N. (2022). Left Ventricular Pressure Estimation Using Machine Learning-Based Heart Sound Classification. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 9, Article 763048. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2022.763048
    • Prinzen, F. W., Auricchio, A., Mullens, W., Linde, C., & Huizar, J. F. (2022). Electrical management of heart failure: from pathophysiology to treatment. European Heart Journal, 43(20), 1917-1927. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehac088
    • Koopsen, T., Van Osta, N., Van Loon, T., Van Nieuwenhoven, F. A., Prinzen, F. W., Van Klarenbosch, B. R., Kirkels, F. P., Teske, A. J., Vernooy, K., Delhaas, T., & Lumens, J. (2022). A Lumped Two-Compartment Model for Simulation of Ventricular Pump and Tissue Mechanics in Ischemic Heart Disease. Frontiers in physiology, 13, Article 782592. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.782592
    • Salden, F. C. W. M., Prinzen, F. W., Lumens, J., & Vernooy, K. (2022). Atrioventricular dromotropathy: an important substrate for complete resynchronization therapy-Authors' reply. EP Europace, 24(5), 868-869. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euac037
    • Salden, F. C. W. M., Huntjens, P. R., Schreurs, R., Willemen, E., Kuiper, M., Wouters, P., Maessen, J. G., Bordachar, P., Delhaas, T., Luermans, J., Meine, M., Allaart, C. P., van Stipdonk, A. M. W., Prinzen, F. W., Lumens, J., & Vernooy, K. (2022). Pacing therapy for atrioventricular dromotropathy: a combined computational-experimental-clinical study. EP Europace, 24(5), 784-795. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euab248
    • Ghossein, M. A., Driessen, R. G. H., van Rosmalen, F., Sels, J.-W. E. M., Delnoij, T., Geyik, Z., Mingels, A. M. A., van Stipdonk, A. M. W., Prinzen, F. W., Ghossein-Doha, C., van Kuijk, S. M. J., van der Horst, I. C. C., Vernooy, K., & van Bussel, B. C. T. (2022). Serial Assessment of Myocardial Injury Markers in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With SARS-CoV-2 (from the Prospective MaastrICCht Cohort). American Journal of Cardiology, 170, 118-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2022.01.030
    • Heckman, L. I. B., Luermans, J. G. L. M., Jastrzębski, M., Weijs, B., Van Stipdonk, A. M. W., Westra, S., den Uijl, D., Linz, D., Mafi-Rad, M., Prinzen, F. W., & Vernooy, K. (2022). A single-centre prospective evaluation of left bundle branch area pacemaker implantation characteristics. Netherlands Heart Journal, 30(5), 249-257. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-022-01679-7
    • Ghossein, M. A., van Stipdonk, A. M., Prinzen, F. W., & Vernooy, K. (2022). Vectorcardiographic QRS area as a predictor of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Journal of Geriatric Cardiology, 19(1), 9-20. https://doi.org/10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2022.01.003
    • 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
  • 2021
    • Curila, K., Jurak, P., Vernooy, K., Jastrzebski, M., Waldauf, P., Prinzen, F., Halamek, J., Susankova, M., Znojilova, L., Smisek, R., Karch, J., Plesinger, F., Moskal, P., Heckman, L., Mizner, J., Viscor, I., Vondra, V., Leinveber, P., & Osmancik, P. (2021). Left Ventricular Myocardial Septal Pacing in Close Proximity to LBB Does Not Prolong the Duration of the Left Ventricular Lateral Wall Depolarization Compared to LBB Pacing. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 8, Article 787414. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2021.787414
    • Augustin, C. M., Gsell, M. A. F., Karabelas, E., Willemen, E., Prinzen, F. W., Lumens, J., Vigmond, E. J., & Plank, G. (2021). A computationally efficient physiologically comprehensive 3D-0D closed-loop model of the heart and circulation. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 386, Article 114092. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2021.114092
    • Prinzen, F. W., Lumens, J., Duchenn, J., & Vernooy, K. (2021). Electro-energetics of Biventricular, Septal and Conduction System Pacing. Arrhythmia & Electrophysiology Review, 10(4), 250-257. https://doi.org/10.15420/aer.2021.30
    • Ghossein, M. A., Zanon, F., Salden, F., van Stipdonk, A., Marcantoni, L., Engels, E., Luermans, J., Westra, S., Prinzen, F., & Vernooy, K. (2021). Left Ventricular Lead Placement Guided by Reduction in QRS Area. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(24), Article 5935. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10245935
    • Hedeer, F., Ostenfeld, E., Heden, B., Prinzen, F. W., Arheden, H., Carlsson, M., & Engblom, H. (2021). To what extent are perfusion defects seen by myocardial perfusion SPECT in patients with left bundle branch block related to myocardial infarction, ECG characteristics, and myocardial wall motion?Journal of Nuclear Cardiology, 28(6), 2910-2922. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12350-020-02180-7
    • Heckman, L., Luermans, J., Salden, F., van Stipdonk, A. M. W., Mafi-Rad, M., Prinzen, F., & Vernooy, K. (2021). Physiology and Practicality of Left Ventricular Septal Pacing. Arrhythmia & Electrophysiology Review, 10(3), 165-171. https://doi.org/10.15420/aer.2021.21
    • Shahmohammadi, M., Luo, H., Westphal, P., Cornelussen, R. N., Prinzen, F. W., & Delhaas, T. (2021). Hemodynamics-driven mathematical model of first and second heart sound generation. PLoS Computational Biology, 17(9), Article e1009361. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009361
    • Curila, K., Jurak, P., Jastrzebski, M., Prinzen, F., Waldauf, P., Halamek, J., Vernooy, K., Smisek, R., Karch, J., Plesinger, F., Moskal, P., Susankova, M., Znojilova, L., Heckman, L., Viscor, I., Vondra, V., Leinveber, P., & Osmancik, P. (2021). Left bundle branch pacing compared to left ventricular septal myocardial pacing increases interventricular dyssynchrony but accelerates left ventricular lateral wall depolarization. Heart Rhythm, 18(8), 1281-1289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2021.04.025
    • Poels, T. T., Engels, E. B., Kats, S., Veenstra, L., van Ommen, V., Vernooy, K., Maessen, J. G., & Prinzen, F. W. (2021). Occurrence and Persistency of Conduction Disturbances during Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation. Medicina-Lithuania, 57(7), Article 695. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57070695