Harry Crijns

Professor

Harry Crijns is professor and chair of Cardiology and board member of the Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM) at Maastricht UMC+. He studied medicine at the University of Amsterdam and was trained in cardiology and electrophysiology in Groningen and Maastricht. He is a Fellow of the ESC and a past board member of the EHRA. He is also past Chair of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology. He served on several guidelines committees for the management of AF. Currently he is the chairman of the scientific advisory board of the Dutch Heart Foundation.

His primary research focus continues to be atrial fibrillation (AF). He founded the RACE trials in the Netherlands and led the Euro Heart Survey on AF (ESC). He has established his reputation by introducing innovative concepts for diagnosis and treatment of AF by showing that - quite contrary to longstanding beliefs - electrical management does not change prognosis. This revolutionised management of the arrhythmia worldwide with the effect that major interventions like electrical cardioversion, catheter ablation and antiarrhythmic drug therapy are applied in a much more personalized fashion.

Subsequently his group showed that rate control in AF can be individualized thereby removing the previously used strict heart rate targets from the international guidelines. He also performed the Euro Heart Survey on AF and made many contributions to the field of stroke management in AF, such as the construction of well-recognised AF specific risk stratification scores for AF progression (HATCH), ischemic stroke (CHA2DS2-VASc) and major bleeding (HAS-BLED). These scores have practically conquered the medical AF community and improved patient care whilst boosting new clinical research throughout the world.

His research group now focusses on recent-onset AF, hybrid AF ablation, upstream therapy and vascular mechanisms for AF progression and stroke in idiopathic atrial fibrillation. He is (co-)author on over 650 scientific articles, with 56,677 citations and Hirsch-index of 100.

Department of Cardiology
P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX Maastricht 
PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht


  • 2017
    • Gorenek, B., Pelliccia, A., Benjamin, E. J., Boriani, G., Crijns, H. J., Fogel, R. I., Van Gelder, I. C., Halle, M., Kudaiberdieva, G., Lane, D. A., Larsen, T. B., Lip, G. Y. H., Lochen, M.-L., Marin, F., Niebauer, J., Sanders, P., Tokgozoglu, L., Vos, M. A., Van Wagoner, D. R., ... EHRA Sci Comm Task Force (2017). European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)/European Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (EACPR) position paper on how to prevent atrial fibrillation endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) and Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS). EP Europace, 19(2), 190-225. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euw242
    • Kuklik, P., Zeemering, S., van Hunnik, A., Maesen, B., Pison, L., Lau, D. H., Maessen, J., Podziemski, P., Meyer, C., Schaeffer, B., Crijns, H., Willems, S., & Schotten, U. (2017). Identification of Rotors during Human Atrial Fibrillation Using Contact Mapping and Phase Singularity Detection: Technical Considerations. Ieee Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 64(2), 310-318. https://doi.org/10.1109/TBME.2016.2554660
    • Spronk, H. M. H., De Jong, A. M., Verheule, S., De Boer, H. C., Maass, A. H., Lau, D. H., Rienstra, M., van Hunnik, A., Kuiper, M., Lumeij, S., Zeemering, S., Linz, D., Kamphuisen, P. W., ten Cate, H., Crijns, H. J., Van Gelder, I. C., van Zonneveld, A. J., & Schotten, U. (2017). Hypercoagulability causes atrial fibrosis and promotes atrial fibrillation. European Heart Journal, 38(1), 38-50. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehw119
    • Elton, D., Brigitte, E., Wouter, H., Bob, W., Justin, L., Hemanth, R., Anho, L., Jurren, V. O., Lukas, D., Vincent, V. D., Timo, L., Otto, K., Lennert, K., Rienstra, M., Kietselaer, B., Marco, A., Jos, W., Joan, M., Martin, P., ... Harry, C. (2017). Acute cardioversion vs a wait-and-see approach for recent-onset symptomatic atrial fibrillation in the emergency department: Rationale and design of the randomized ACWAS trial. American Heart Journal, 183, 49-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2016.09.009
    • Gorenek, B., Pelliccia, A., Benjamin, E. J., Boriani, G., Crijns, H. J., Fogel, R. I., Van Gelder, I. C., Halle, M., Kudaiberdieva, G., Lane, D. A., Larsen, T. B., Lip, G. Y. H., Lochen, M.-L., Marin, F., Niebauer, J., Sanders, P., Tokgozoglu, L., Vos, M. A., Van Wagoner, D. R., ... EHRA Sci Comm Task Force (2017). European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)/European Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (EACPR) position paper on how to prevent atrial fibrillation endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) and Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS). European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, 24(1), 4-40. https://doi.org/10.1177/2047487316676037
  • 2016
    • Erküner, Ö., Claessen, R., Pisters, R., Schulmer, G., Ramaekers, R., Sonneveld, L., Dudink, E., Lankveld, T., Limantoro, I., Weijs, B., Pison, L., Blaauw, Y., De Vos, C. B., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2016). Poor anticoagulation relates to extended access times for cardioversion and is associated with long-term major cardiac and cerebrovascular events. International Journal of Cardiology, 225, 337-341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.10.018
    • Versteylen, M. O., Manca, M., Joosen, I. A., Schmidt, D. E., Das, M., Hofstra, L., Crijns, H. J., Biessen, E. A., & Kietselaer, B. L. (2016). CC chemokine ligands in patients presenting with stable chest pain: association with atherosclerosis and future cardiovascular events. Netherlands Heart Journal, 24(12), 722-729. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-016-0884-9
    • Peeters, F. E. C. M., Van der Linden, N., Thomassen, A. L. L., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Meex, S. J. R., & Kietselaer, B. L. J. H. (2016). Clinical and echocardiographic determinants in bicuspid aortic dilatation Results from a longitudinal observational study. Medicine, 95(52), Article e5699. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000005699
    • Lemkes, J. S., Janssens, G. N., Oudemans-van Straaten, H. M., Elbers, P. W., van der Hoeven, N. W., Tijssen, J. G. P., Otterspoor, L. C., Voskuil, M., van der Heijden, J. J., Meuwissen, M., Rijpstra, T. A., Vlachojannis, G. J., van der Vleugel, R. M., Nieman, K., Jewbali, L. S. D., Sleeker, G. B., Baak, R., Beishuizen, B., Stoel, M. G., ... van Royen, N. (2016). Coronary angiography after cardiac arrest: Rationale and design of the COACT trial. American Heart Journal, 180, 39-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2016.06.025
    • Gelsomino, S., La Meir, M., van Breugel, H. N. A. M., Renzulli, A., Rostagno, C., Lorusso, R., Parise, O., Lozekoot, P. W. J., Klop, I. D. G., Kumar, N., Luca, F., Matteucci, F., Serraino, F., Sante, P., Caciolli, S., Vizzardi, E., De Jong, M., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Gensini, G. F., & Maessen, J. G. (2016). Surgical ablation in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery: impact of lesion set and surgical techniques on long-term success. EP Europace, 18(10), 1528-1537. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euv402
    • Van Gelder, I. C., Rienstra, M., Crijns, H. J. G. M., & Olshansky, B. (2016). Rate control in atrial fibrillation. Lancet, 388(10046), 818-828. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31258-2
    • Boriani, G., Laroche, C., Diemberger, I., Popescu, M. I., Rasmussen, L. H., Petrescu, L., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Tavazzi, L., Maggioni, A. P., & Lip, G. Y. H. (2016). Glomerular filtration rate in patients with atrial fibrillation and 1-year outcomes. Scientific Reports, 6, Article 30271. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep30271
    • Loeffen, R. A., van Oerle, R., Leers, M. P. G., Kragten, J. A., Crijns, H., Spronk, H. M. H., & ten Cate, H. (2016). Factor XIa and Thrombin Generation Are Elevated in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and Predict Recurrent Cardiovascular Events. PLOS ONE, 11(7), Article e0158355. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0158355
    • Smulders, M. W., Kietselaer, B. L. J. H., Schalla, S., Bucerius, J., Jaarsma, C., van Dieijen-Visser, M. P., Mingels, A. M. A., Brunner-La Rocca, H., Post, M., Das, M., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Wildberger, J. E., & Bekkers, B. (2016). Acute chest pain in the high-sensitivity cardiac troponin era: A changing role for noninvasive imaging?American Heart Journal, 177, 102-111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2016.03.025
    • Wellens, H., Lindemans, F. W., Houben, R. P., Gorgels, A., Volders, P. G., ter Bekke, R. M. A., & Crijns, H. J. (2016). Improving survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest requires new tools. European Heart Journal, 37(19), 1499-1503. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehv485
    • Lankveld, T., de Vos, C. B., Limantoro, I., Zeemering, S., Dudink, E., Crijns, H. J., & Schotten, U. (2016). Systematic analysis of ECG predictors of sinus rhythm maintenance after electrical cardioversion for persistent atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm, 13(5), 1020-1027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2016.01.004
    • Cardinaels, E. P. M., Altintas, S., Versteylen, M. O., Joosen, I. A., Jellema, L.-J. C., Wildberger, J. E., Das, M., Crijns, H. J., Bekers, O., van Dieijen-Visser, M. P., Kietselaer, B. L., & Mingels, A. M. A. (2016). High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Concentrations in Patients with Chest Discomfort: Is It the Heart or the Kidneys As Well?PLOS ONE, 11(4), Article e0153300. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0153300
    • 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
    • Lozekoot, P. W. J., de Jong, M. M. J., Gelsomino, S., Parise, O., Matteucci, F., Luca, F., Kumar, N., Nijs, J., Czapla, J., Kwant, P. B., Bani, D., Gensini, G. F., Pison, L., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Maessen, J. G., & La Meir, M. (2016). Contact forces during hybrid atrial fibrillation ablation: an in vitro evaluation. Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology, 45(2), 189-197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-015-0089-y
    • Mafi-Rad, M., Luermans, J. G. L. M., Blaauw, Y., Janssen, M., Crijns, H. J., Prinzen, F. W., & Vernooy, K. (2016). Feasibility and Acute Hemodynamic Effect of Left Ventricular Septal Pacing by Transvenous Approach Through the Interventricular Septum. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 9(3), Article e003344. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.115.003344
    • 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
    • van Stipdonk, A. M. W., Rad, M. M., Luermans, J. G. L. M., Crijns, H. J., Prinzen, F. W., & Vernooy, K. (2016). Identifying delayed left ventricular lateral wall activation in patients with non-specific intraventricular conduction delay using coronary venous electroanatomical mapping. Netherlands Heart Journal, 24(1), 58-65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-015-0777-3
    • Rad, M. M., Wijntjens, G. W. M., Engels, E. B., Blaauw, Y., Luermans, J. G. L. M., Pison, L., Crijns, H. J., Prinzen, F. W., & Vernooy, K. (2016). Vectorcardiographic QRS area identifies delayed left ventricular lateral wall activation determined by electroanatomic mapping in candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy. Heart Rhythm, 13(1), 217-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.07.033
    • Lozekoot, P. W. J., de Jong, M. M. J., Parise, O., Matteucci, F., Luca, F., Kumar, N., Bani, D., Czapla, J., Pison, L., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Maessen, J. G., La Meir, M., & Gelsomino, S. (2016). The ABLA-BOX An In Vitro Module of Hybrid Atrial Fibrillation Ablation. Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, 11(3), 201-209. https://doi.org/10.1097/IMI.0000000000000256
    • Altintas, S., Cardinaels, E., Versteylen, M. O., Joosen, I. A., Seifert, H., Wildberger, J. E., Crijns, H. J., Nelemans, P. J., van Dieijen - Visser, M. P., Mingels, A. M. A., Das, M., & Kietselaer, B. L. (2016). Unstable coronary plaque characteristics are associated with high sensitivity cardiac troponin T and N-terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide. Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, 10(1), 82-88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcct.2015.10.001
  • 2015
    • Lip, G. Y. H., Laroche, C., Popescu, M. I., Rasmussen, L. H., Vitali-Serdoz, L., Dan, G.-A., Kalarus, Z., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Oliveira, M. M., Tavazzi, L., Maggioni, A. P., & Boriani, G. (2015). Improved outcomes with European Society of Cardiology guideline-adherent antithrombotic treatment in high-risk patients with atrial fibrillation: a report from the EORP-AF General Pilot Registry. EP Europace, 17(12), 1777-1786. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euv269
    • Heijman, J., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2015). T-wave Right Slope Provides a New Angle in the Prediction of Drug-Induced Ventricular Arrhythmias. Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy, 29(5), 411-413. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10557-015-6620-7
    • Hazebroek, M. R., Moors, S., Dennert, R., van den Wijngaard, A., Krapels, I., Hoos, M., Verdonschot, J., Merken, J. J., de Vries, B., Wolffs, P. F., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Brunner-La Rocca, H. P., & Heymans, S. (2015). Prognostic Relevance of Gene-Environment Interactions in Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Applying the MOGE(S) Classification. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 66(12), 1313-1323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2015.07.023
    • Baaten, C. C. F. M. J., Veenstra, L. F., Wetzels, R., van Geffen, J. P., Swieringa, F., de Witt, S. M., Henskens, Y. M. C., Crijns, H., Nylander, S., van Giezen, J. J. J., Heemskerk, J. W. M., & van der Meijden, P. E. J. (2015). Gradual increase in thrombogenicity of juvenile platelets formed upon offset of prasugrel medication. Haematologica-the Hematology Journal, 100(9), 1131-1138. https://doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2014.122457
    • Pison, L., Vroomen, M., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2015). Catheter Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation. New England Journal of Medicine, 373(9), 877-878. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc1508689
    • Kumar, N., Pison, L., Lozekoot, P., Choudhury, R., La Meir, M., Gelsomino, S., Crijns, H., & Maessen, J. (2015). The symbiosis of contact force catheter use for hybrid ablation for atrial fibrillation. Netherlands Heart Journal, 23(9), 438-444. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-015-0729-y
    • Pison, L., Vroomen, M., & Crijns, H. J. G. M. (2015). Surgical Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation. New England Journal of Medicine, 373(5), 483-483. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc1506893
    • 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
    • Kumar, N., Dinh, T., Phan, K., Timmermans, C., Philippens, S., Dassen, W., Vranken, N., Pison, L., Maessen, J., & Crijns, H. J. (2015). Adenosine testing after second-generation cryoballoon ablation (ATSCA) study improves clinical success rate for atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 17(6), 871-876. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euu352
    • Pison, L., Peeters, P., Blaauw, Y., Vernooy, K., Kumar, N., Philippens, S., Crijns, H. J., Vlaeyen, J., Schoenen, J., & Timmermans, C. (2015). Headache during cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation. EP Europace, 17(6), 898-901. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euu321
    • Lip, G. Y. H., Laroche, C., Popescu, M. I., Rasmussen, L. H., Vitali-Serdoz, L., Dan, G.-A., Kalarus, Z., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Oliveira, M. M., Tavazzi, L., Maggioni, A. P., & Boriani, G. (2015). Heart failure in patients with atrial fibrillation in Europe: a report from the EURObservational Research Programme Pilot survey on Atrial Fibrillation. European journal of heart failure, 17(6), 570-582. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejhf.254
    • Vermond, R. A., Van Gelder, I. C., Crijns, H. J., & Rienstra, M. (2015). Does Myocardial Infarction Beget Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Fibrillation Beget Myocardial Infarction?Circulation, 131(21), 1824-1826. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.115.016595
    • Philippon, F., Liu, L., Fung, J. W.-H., Deharo, J.-C., Anselme, F., Delnoy, P. P., Crijns, H., Morillo, C. A., Krahn, A. D., Gutleben, K., Delumeau, J., & Molin, F. (2015). Left Ventricular Three-Dimensional Quadripolar Lead Acute Clinical Study: The LILAC Study. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, 38(4), 438-447. https://doi.org/10.1111/pace.12584
    • Schalla, S., Jaarsma, C., Bekkers, S. C., Waltenberger, J., Dennert, R., Crijns, H. J., Wildberger, J., Heymans, S., & Brunner-La Rocca, H. P. (2015). Right ventricular function in dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart disease: assessment with non-invasive imaging. Netherlands Heart Journal, 23(4), 232-240. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-015-0673-x
    • Brunner-La Rocca, H. P., & Crijns, H. J. (2015). Iron i.v. in heart failure: ready for implementation?European Heart Journal, 36(11), 645-647. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehu392
    • Dudink, E., & Crijns, H. J. (2015). Atrial inflammation and atrial function after cardiac surgery: can we study it properly?Netherlands Heart Journal, 23(3), 166-167. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-015-0658-9
    • Kumar, N., Bonizzi, P., Pison, L., Phan, K., Lankveld, T., Maessen, B., La Meir, M., Gelsomino, S., Maessen, J., & Crijns, H. (2015). Impact of hybrid procedure on P wave duration for atrial fibrillation ablation. Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology, 42(2), 91-99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-014-9969-9
    • van Deursen, C. J. M., Wecke, L., van Everdingen, W. M., Stahlberg, M., Janssen, M. H. G., Braunschweig, F., Bergfeldt, L., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Vernooy, K., & Prinzen, F. W. (2015). Vectorcardiography for Optimization of Stimulation Intervals in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research, 8(2), 128-137. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12265-015-9615-7
    • Lip, G. Y. H., Laroche, C., Boriani, G., Dan, G.-A., Santini, M., Kalarus, Z., Rasmussen, L. H., Oliveira, M. M., Mairesse, G., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Simantirakis, E., Atar, D., Maggioni, A. P., & Tavazzi, L. (2015). Regional differences in presentation and treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation in Europe: a report from the EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot General Registry. EP Europace, 17(2), 194-206. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euu201
    • Majidi, M., Kosinski, A. S., Al-Khatib, S. M., Smolders, L., Cristea, E., Lansky, A. J., Stone, G. W., Mehran, R., Gibbons, R. J., Crijns, H. J., Wellens, H. J., Gorgels, A. P., & Krucoff, M. W. (2015). Implications of ventricular arrhythmia "bursts" with normal epicardial flow, myocardial blush, and ST-segment recovery in anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction reperfusion: A biosignature of direct myocellular injury "downstream of downstream". European Heart Journal: Acute Cardiovascular Care, 4(1), 51-59. https://doi.org/10.1177/2048872614532414
    • Rad, M. M., Blaauw, Y., Trang Dinh, Pison, L., Crijns, H. J., Prinzen, F. W., & Vernooy, K. (2015). Left ventricular lead placement in the latest activated region guided by coronary venous electroanatomic mapping. EP Europace, 17(1), 84-93. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euu221
    • 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