Uli Schotten

Professor

Professor Uli Schotten studied medicine at the universities of Aachen, Glasgow, and Valetta. After four years of training in cardiology at the University Hospital of Aachen, he joined the Department of Physiology at Maastricht University in 1998, first as a scholar of the Academy of Sciences of North-Rhine Westfalia and from 1999 on as a staff member of the department. He defended his thesis 'Mechanisms of Atrial Paralysis in Atrial Fibrillation' at Maastricht University in 2003, and received his habilitation in Experimental Cardiology at the University Hospital in Aachen in 2004. Since 2007, he is Principal Investigator at CARIM. In 2011, he was appointed Professor of Cardiac Electrophysiology and became chairman of the Department of Physiology in 2019.

His research interests include cellular and integrated actions of antiarrhythmic drugs, the development of substrates for the perpetuation of atrial fibrillation, invasive and non-invasive quantification of the substrate of atrial fibrillation, interaction between atrial fibrillation and activation of the coagulation system, and three-dimensional computer models of atrial fibrillation. He is coordinator of the CVON network RACE V and PI in numerous national and international research networks. He was member of the European task force for the development of the ESC guidelines for management of atrial fibrillation in 2010, 2012, and 2016. Furthermore, he is member of the Executive Committee of the Network of Competence for Atrial Fibrillation (AFNET), co-founder of the Maastricht University spin-off company YourRhythmics BV, and acts as the chairman of the Strategic board of CARIM.

Department of Physiology
Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht
PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht
Room number: 3.130
T: +31(0)43 388 12 00

  • 2016
    • Kirchhof, P., Goette, A., Naebauer, M., & Schotten, U. (2016). 12 Jahre AFNET. Vom Forschungsnetzwerk zur Academic Research Organisation. Bundesgesundheitsblatt-Gesundheitsforschung-Gesundheitsschutz, 59(4), 514-522. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-016-2323-x
    • van Hunnik, A., Lau, D. H., Zeemering, S., Kuiper, M., Verheule, S., & Schotten, U. (2016). Antiarrhythmic effect of vernakalant in electrically remodeled goat atria is caused by slowing of conduction and prolongation of postrepolarization refractoriness. Heart Rhythm, 13(4), 964-972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.12.009
    • Fabritz, L., Guasch, E., Antoniades, C., Bardinet, I., Benninger, G., Betts, T. R., Brand, E., Breithardt, G., Bucklar-Suchankova, G., Camm, A. J., Cartlidge, D., Casadei, B., Chua, W. W., Crijns, H., Deeks, J., Hatem, S., Hidden-Lucet, F., Kääb, S., Maniadakis, N., ... Kirchhof, P. (2016). Expert consensus document: Defining the major health modifiers causing atrial fibrillation: a roadmap to underpin personalized prevention and treatment. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 13(4), 230-237. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2015.194
    • Lankveld, T., Zeemering, S., Scherr, D., Kuklik, P., Hoffmann, B. A., Willems, S., Pieske, B., Haissaguerre, M., Jais, P., Crijns, H. J., & Schotten, U. (2016). Atrial Fibrillation Complexity Parameters Derived From Surface ECGs Predict Procedural Outcome and Long-Term Follow-Up of Stepwise Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 9(2), Article e003354. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.115.003354
    • Kirchhof, P., Breithardt, G., Bax, J., Benninger, G., Blomstrom-Lundqvist, C., Boriani, G., Brandes, A., Brown, H., Brueckmann, M., Calkins, H., Calvert, M., Christoffels, V., Crijns, H., Dobrev, D., Ellinor, P., Fabritz, L., Fetsch, T., Freedman, S. B., Gerth, A., ... Camm, A. J. (2016). A roadmap to improve the quality of atrial fibrillation management: proceedings from the fifth Atrial Fibrillation Network/European Heart Rhythm Association consensus conference. EP Europace, 18(1), 37-50. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euv304
    • Potse, M., Lankveld, T. A. R., Zeemering, S., Dagnelie, P. C., Stehouwer, C. D. A., Henry, R. M., Linnenbank, A. C., Kuijpers, N. H. L., & Schotten, U. (2016). P-wave complexity in normal subjects and computer models. Journal of Electrocardiology, 49(4), 545-553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2016.05.005
  • 2015
    • Schotten, U., Hatem, S., Ravens, U., Jais, P., Mueller, F.-U., Goette, A., Rohr, S., Antoons, G., Pieske, B., Scherr, D., Oto, A., Casadei, B., Verheule, S., Cartlidge, D., Steinmeyer, K., Goetsche, T., Dobrev, D., Kockskaemper, J., Lendeckel, U., ... Camm, A. J. (2015). The European Network for Translational Research in Atrial Fibrillation (EUTRAF): objectives and initial results. EP Europace, 17(10), 1457-1466. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euv252
    • Podziemski, P., Kuklik, P., van Hunnik, A., Zeemering, S., Maesen, B., & Schotten, U. (2015). Far-field effect in unipolar electrograms revisited: High-density mapping of atrial fibrillation in humans. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2015, 5680-3. https://doi.org/10.1109/EMBC.2015.7319681
    • Lau, D. H., Maesen, B., Zeemering, S., Kuklik, P., van Hunnik, A., Lankveld, T. A. R., Bidar, E., Verheule, S., Nijs, J., Maessen, J., Crijns, H., Sanders, P., & Schotten, U. (2015). Indices of bipolar complex fractionated atrial electrograms correlate poorly with each other and atrial fibrillation substrate complexity. Heart Rhythm, 12(7), 1415-1423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.03.017
    • Lau, D. H., Volders, P. G. A., Kohl, P., Prinzen, F. W., Zaza, A., Kaeaeb, S., Oto, A., & Schotten, U. (2015). Opportunities and challenges of current electrophysiology research: a plea to establish 'translational electrophysiology' curricula. EP Europace, 17(5), 825-833. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euu301
    • van Bragt, K. A., Nasrallah, H. M., Kuiper, M., van Hunnik, A., Kuijpers, N. H. L., Schotten, U., & Verheule, S. (2015). Dynamic regulation of atrial coronary blood flow in healthy adult pigs. Heart Rhythm, 12(5), 991-1000. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.01.016
    • Pluteanu, F., Hess, J., Plackic, J., Nikonova, Y., Preisenberger, J., Bukowska, A., Schotten, U., Rinne, A., Kienitz, M.-C., Schaefer, M. K. .-H., Weihe, E., Goette, A., & Kockskaemper, J. (2015). Early subcellular Ca2+ remodelling and increased propensity for Ca2+ alternans in left atrial myocytes from hypertensive rats. Cardiovascular Research, 106(1), 87-97. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvv045
    • Linz, D., van Hunnik, A., Hohl, M., Mahfoud, F., Wolf, M., Neuberger, H.-R., Casadei, B., Reilly, S. N., Verheule, S., Boehm, M., & Schotten, U. (2015). Catheter-Based Renal Denervation Reduces Atrial Nerve Sprouting and Complexity of Atrial Fibrillation in Goats. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 8(2), 466-U294. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.114.002453
    • Bonizzi, P., Zeemering, S., Karel, J. M. H., Di Marco, L., Uldry, L., Van Zaen, J., Vesin, J.-M., & Schotten, U. (2015). Systematic comparison of non-invasive measures for the assessment of atrial fibrillation complexity: a step forward towards standardization of atrial fibrillation electrogram analysis. EP Europace, 17(2), 318-325. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euu202
    • Kuklik, P., Zeemering, S., Maesen, B., Maessen, J., Crijns, H. J., Verheule, S., Ganesan, A. N., & Schotten, U. (2015). Reconstruction of Instantaneous Phase of Unipolar Atrial Contact Electrogram Using a Concept of Sinusoidal Recomposition and Hilbert Transform. Ieee Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 62(1), 296-302. https://doi.org/10.1109/TBME.2014.2350029
    • Weijs, B., Schotten, U., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2015). Pathophysiology of Idiopathic Atrial Fibrillation - Prognostic and Treatment Implications. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 21(5), 551-572. https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612820666140825150057
  • 2014
    • Kuklik, P., Bidar, E., Gharaviri, A., Maessen, J., & Schotten, U. (2014). Application of phase coherence in assessment of spatial alignment of electrodes during simultaneous endocardial-epicardial direct contact mapping of atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 16 (Suppl 4), iv135-iv140. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euu247
    • Limantoro, I., de Vos, C. B., Delhaas, T., Weijs, B., Blaauw, Y., Schotten, U., Kietselaer, B., Pisters, R., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2014). Clinical correlates of echocardiographic tissue velocity imaging abnormalities of the left atrial wall during atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 16(11), 1546-1553. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euu047
    • Linz, D., Hunnik, A. V., Ukena, C., Mahfoud, F., Ewen, S., Verheule, S., Böhm, M., & Schotten, U. (2014). Effects of renal denervation on atrial arrhythmogenesis. Future Cardiology, 10(6), 813-22. https://doi.org/10.2217/fca.14.43
    • Greiser, M., Kerfant, B.-G., Williams, G. S. B., Voigt, N., Harks, E., Dibb, K. M., Giese, A., Meszaros, J., Verheule, S., Ravens, U., Allessie, M. A., Gammie, J. S., van der Velden, J., Lederer, W. J., Dobrev, D., & Schotten, U. (2014). Tachycardia-induced silencing of subcellular Ca2+ signaling in atrial myocytes. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 124(11), 4759-4772. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI70102
    • Linz, D., van Hunnik, A., Ukena, C., Ewen, S., Mahfoud, F., Schirmer, S. H., Lenski, M., Neuberger, H.-R., Schotten, U., & Boehm, M. (2014). Renal denervation: effects on atrial electrophysiology and arrhythmias. Clinical research in cardiology, 103(10), 765-774. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-014-0695-1
    • De Vos, C. B., Limantoro, I., Pisters, R., Delhaas, T., Schotten, U., Cheriex, E. C., Tieleman, R. G., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2014). The mechanical fibrillation pattern of the atrial myocardium is associated with acute and long-term success of electrical cardioversion in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm, 11(9), 1514-1521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2014.04.029
    • Verheule, S., Eckstein, J., Linz, D., Maesen, B., Bidar, E., Gharaviri, A., & Schotten, U. (2014). Role of endo-epicardial dissociation of electrical activity and transmural conduction in the development of persistent atrial fibrillation. Progress in Biophysics & Molecular Biology, 115(2-3), 173-185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2014.07.007
    • Lankveld, T. A. R., Zeemering, S., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Schotten, U. (2014). The ECG as a tool to determine atrial fibrillation complexity. Heart, 100(14), 1077-1084. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2013-305149
    • Wyse, D. G., Van Gelder, I. C., Ellinor, P. T., Go, A. S., Kalman, J. M., Narayan, S. M., Nattel, S., Schotten, U., & Rienstra, M. (2014). Lone Atrial Fibrillation Does it Exist?Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 63(17), 1715-1723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2014.01.023
    • Spronk, H. M. H., de Jong, A. M., Crijns, H. J., Schotten, U., Van Gelder, I. C., & ten Cate, H. (2014). Pleiotropic effects of factor Xa and thrombin: what to expect from novel anticoagulants. Cardiovascular Research, 101(3), 344-351. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvt343
    • Limantoro, I., De Vos, C. B., Delhaas, T., Marcos, E., Blaauw, Y., Weijs, B., Tieleman, R. G., Pisters, R., Schotten, U., Van Gelder, I. C., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2014). Tissue velocity imaging of the left atrium predicts response to flecainide in patients with acute atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm, 11(3), 478-484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2013.12.010
    • Bidar, E., Maesen, B., Nieman, F., Verheule, S., Schotten, U., & Maessen, J. G. (2014). A prospective randomized controlled trial on the incidence and predictors of late-phase postoperative atrial fibrillation up to 30 days and the preventive value of biatrial pacing. Heart Rhythm, 11(7), 1156-1162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2014.03.040
    • van Bragt, K. A., Nasrallah, H. M., Kuiper, M., Luiken, J. J., Schotten, U., & Verheule, S. (2014). Atrial supplydemand balance in healthy adult pigs: coronary blood flow, oxygen extraction, and lactate production during acute atrial fibrillation. Cardiovascular Research, 101(1), 9-19. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvt239
    • Zeemering, S., Lankveld, T., Bonizzi, P., Crijns, H., & Schotten, U. (2014). Principal Component Analysis of Body Surface Potential Mapping in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Suggests Additional ECG Lead Locations. Computing in Cardiology Conference, 41, 893-896. http://www.cinc.org/archives/2014/
  • 2013
    • Kirchhof, P., Breithardt, G., Aliot, E., Al Khatib, S., Apostolakis, S., Auricchio, A., Bailleul, C., Bax, J., Benninger, G., Blomstrom-Lundqvist, C., Boersma, L., Boriani, G., Brandes, A., Brown, H., Brueckmann, M., Calkins, H., Casadei, B., Clemens, A., Crijns, H., ... Camm, A. J. (2013). Personalized management of atrial fibrillation: Proceedings from the fourth Atrial Fibrillation competence NETwork/European Heart Rhythm Association consensus conference. EP Europace, 15(11), 1540-1556. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eut232
    • Maesen, B., Zeemering, S., Afonso, C., Eckstein, J., Burton, R. A. B., van Hunnik, A., Stuckey, D. J., Tyler, D., Maessen, J., Grau, V., Verheule, S., Kohl, P., & Schotten, U. (2013). Rearrangement of Atrial Bundle Architecture and Consequent Changes in Anisotropy of Conduction Constitute the 3-Dimensional Substrate for Atrial Fibrillation. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 6(5), 967-975. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.113.000050
    • Linz, D., Mahfoud, F., Schotten, U., Ukena, C., Neuberger, H.-R., Wirth, K., & Boehm, M. (2013). Effects of Electrical Stimulation of Carotid Baroreflex and Renal Denervation on Atrial Electrophysiology. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 24(9), 1028-1033. https://doi.org/10.1111/jce.12171
    • Kirchhof, P., Marijon, E., Fabritz, L., Li, N., Wang, W., Wang, T., Schulte, K., Hanstein, J., Schulte, J. S., Vogel, M., Mougenot, N., Laakmann, S., Fortmueller, L., Eckstein, J., Verheule, S., Kaese, S., Staab, A., Grote-Wessels, S., Schotten, U., ... Mueller, F. U. (2013). Overexpression of cAMP-response element modulator causes abnormal growth and development of the atrial myocardium resulting in a substrate for sustained atrial fibrillation in mice. International Journal of Cardiology, 166(2), 366-374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2011.10.057
    • Greiser, M., & Schotten, U. (2013). Dynamic remodeling of intracellular Ca2+ signaling during atrial fibrillation. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, 58, 134-142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yjmcc.2012.12.020
    • Eckstein, J., Zeemering, S., Linz, D., Maesen, B., Verheule, S., van Hunnik, A., Crijns, H., Allessie, M. A., & Schotten, U. (2013). Transmural Conduction Is the Predominant Mechanism of Breakthrough During Atrial Fibrillation Evidence From Simultaneous Endo-Epicardial High-Density Activation Mapping. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 6(2), 334-341. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.113.000342
    • Verheule, S., Tuyls, E., Gharaviri, A., Hulsmans, S., van Hunnik, A., Kuiper, M., Serroyen, J., Zeemering, S., Kuijpers, N. H. L., & Schotten, U. (2013). Loss of Continuity in the Thin Epicardial Layer Because of Endomysial Fibrosis Increases the Complexity of Atrial Fibrillatory Conduction. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 6(1), 202-211. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.112.975144
    • Camm, A. J., Lip, G. Y. H., De Caterina, R., Savelieva, I., Atar, D., Hohnloser, S. H., Hindricks, G., Kirchhof, P., Bax, J., Baumgartner, H., Ceconi, C., Dean, V., Deaton, C., Fagard, R., Funck-Brentano, C., Hasdai, D., Hoes, A. W., Knuuti, J., Kolh, P., ... Verheugt, F. W. A. (2013). 2012 Focused Update of the ESC Guidelines for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation. Revista Espanola de Cardiologia, 66(1), 54-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.recesp.2012.11.001
    • Linz, D., Mahfoud, F., Schotten, U., Ukena, C., Hohl, M., Neuberger, H.-R., Wirth, K., & Bohm, M. (2013). Renal Sympathetic Denervation Provides Ventricular Rate Control But Does Not Prevent Atrial Electrical Remodeling During Atrial Fibrillation. Hypertension, 61(1), 225-231. https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.111.00182
  • 2012
    • Gharaviri, A., Verheule, S., Eckstein, J., Potse, M., Kuijpers, N. H. L., & Schotten, U. (2012). A computer model of endo-epicardial electrical dissociation and transmural conduction during atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 14, V10-V16. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eus270
    • Harada, M., Luo, X., Qi, X. Y., Tadevosyan, A., Maguy, A., Ordog, B., Ledoux, J., Kato, T., Naud, P., Voigt, N., Shi, Y., Kamiya, K., Murohara, T., Kodama, I., Tardif, J.-C., Schotten, U., Van Wagoner, D. R., Dobrev, D., & Nattel, S. (2012). Transient Receptor Potential Canonical-3 Channel-Dependent Fibroblast Regulation in Atrial Fibrillation. Circulation, 126(17), 2051–2064. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.112.121830
    • ESC Committe for Practice Guidelines, Schotten, U., & Van Gelder, I. C. (2012). 2012 focused update of the ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation An update of the 2010 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation Developed with the special contribution of the European Heart Rhythm Association. EP Europace, 14(10), 1385-1413. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eus305
    • Lau, D. H., Maesen, B., Zeemering, S., Verheule, S., Crijns, H. J., & Schotten, U. (2012). Stability of Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrograms: A Systematic Review. Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, 23(9), 980-987. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-8167.2012.02335.x
    • Linz, D., Mahfoud, F., Schotten, U., Ukena, C., Neuberger, H.-R., Wirth, K., & Boehm, M. (2012). Renal Sympathetic Denervation Suppresses Postapneic Blood Pressure Rises and Atrial Fibrillation in a Model for Sleep Apnea. Hypertension, 60(1), 172-178. https://doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.112.191965
    • Weijs, B., Pisters, R., Nieuwlaat, R., Breithardt, G., Le Heuzey, J.-Y., Vardas, P. E., Limantoro, I., Schotten, U., Lip, G. Y. H., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2012). Idiopathic atrial fibrillation revisited in a large longitudinal clinical cohort. EP Europace, 14(2), 184-190. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eur379
    • Maesen, B., Nijs, J., Maessen, J., Allessie, M., & Schotten, U. (2012). Post-operative atrial fibrillation: a maze of mechanisms. EP Europace, 14(2), 159-174. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eur208
    • Kirchhof, P., Lip, G. Y. H., Van Gelder, I. C., Bax, J., Hylek, E., Kaab, S., Schotten, U., Wegscheider, K., Boriani, G., Brandes, A., Ezekowitz, M. D., Diener, H.-C., Haegeli, L., Heidbuchel, H., Lane, D. A., Mont, L., Willems, S., Dorian, P., Aunes-Jansson, M., ... Camm, A. J. (2012). Comprehensive risk reduction in patients with atrial fibrillation: emerging diagnostic and therapeutic options-a report from the 3rd Atrial Fibrillation Competence NETwork/European Heart Rhythm Association consensus conference. EP Europace, 14(1), 8-27. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/eur241
  • 2011
    • Linz, D., Schotten, U., Neuberger, H.-R., Boehm, M., & Wirth, K. (2011). Combined blockade of early and late activated atrial potassium currents suppresses atrial fibrillation in a pig model of obstructive apnea. Heart Rhythm, 8(12), 1933-1939. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2011.07.018