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

  • 2013
    • 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(1), 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(SUPPL. 5), 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
    • Kirchhof, P., Lip, G. Y. H., Van Gelder, I. C., Bax, J., Hylek, E., Kaeaeb, S., Schotten, U., Wegscheider, K., Boriani, G., Ezekowitz, M. D., Diener, H.-C., Heidbuchel, H., Lane, D. A., Mont, L., Willems, S., Dorian, P., Vardas, P., Breithardt, G., & Camm, A. J. (2011). Comprehensive risk reduction in patients with atrial fibrillation: Emerging diagnostic and therapeutic options Executive summary* of the report from the 3rd AFNET/EHRA consensus conference. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 106(6), 1012-1019. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH11-07-0517
    • Reilly, S. N., Jayaram, R., Nahar, K., Antoniades, C., Verheule, S., Channon, K. M., Alp, N. J., Schotten, U., & Casadei, B. (2011). Atrial Sources of Reactive Oxygen Species Vary With the Duration and Substrate of Atrial Fibrillation Implications for the Antiarrhythmic Effect of Statins. Circulation, 124(10), 1107-U91. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.111.029223
    • Linz, D., Schotten, U., Neuberger, H.-R., Boehm, M., & Wirth, K. (2011). Negative tracheal pressure during obstructive respiratory events promotes atrial fibrillation by vagal activation. Heart Rhythm, 8(9), 1436-1443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2011.03.053
    • Kirchhof, P., Kahr, P. C., Kaese, S., Piccini, I., Vokshi, I., Scheld, H.-H., Rotering, H., Fortmueller, L., Laakmann, S., Verheule, S., Schotten, U., Fabritz, L., & Brown, N. A. (2011). PITX2c Is Expressed in the Adult Left Atrium, and Reducing Pitx2c Expression Promotes Atrial Fibrillation Inducibility and Complex Changes in Gene Expression. Circulation : Cardiovascular Genetics, 4(2), 123-U84. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCGENETICS.110.958058
    • Greiser, M., Lederer, W. J., & Schotten, U. (2011). Alterations of atrial Ca2+ handling as cause and consequence of atrial fibrillation. Cardiovascular Research, 89(4), 722-733. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvq389
    • Kuijpers, N. H. L., Potse, M., van Dam, P. M., ten Eikelder, H. M. M., Verheule, S., Prinzen, F. W., & Schotten, U. (2011). Mechanoelectrical coupling enhances initiation and affects perpetuation of atrial fibrillation during acute atrial dilation. Heart Rhythm, 8(3), 429-436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2010.11.020
    • Eckstein, J., Maesen, B., Linz, D., Zeemering, S., van Hunnik, A., Verheule, S., Allessie, M., & Schotten, U. (2011). Time course and mechanisms of endo-epicardial electrical dissociation during atrial fibrillation in the goat. Cardiovascular Research, 89(4), 816-824. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvq336
    • Schotten, U., Verheule, S., Kirchhof, P., & Goette, A. (2011). Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Atrial Fibrillation: A Translational Appraisal. Physiological Reviews, 91(1), 265-325. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00031.2009
  • 2010
    • Allessie, M. A., de Groot, N. M. S., Houben, R. P. M., Schotten, U., Boersma, E., Smeets, J. L., & Crijns, H. J. (2010). Electropathological Substrate of Long-Standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Structural Heart Disease. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 3(6), 606-615. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.109.910125
    • Verheule, S., Tuyls, E., van Hunnik, A., Kuiper, M., Schotten, U., & Allessie, M. (2010). Fibrillatory Conduction in the Atrial Free Walls of Goats in Persistent and Permanent Atrial Fibrillation. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 3(6), 590-U64. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.109.931634
    • Blana, A., Kaese, S., Fortmueller, L., Laakmann, S., Damke, D., van Bragt, K., Eckstein, J., Piccini, I., Kirchhefer, U., Nattel, S., Breithardt, G., Carmeliet, P., Carmeliet, E., Schotten, U., Verheule, S., Kirchhof, P., & Fabritz, L. (2010). Knock-in gain-of-function sodium channel mutation prolongs atrial action potentials and alters atrial vulnerability. Heart Rhythm, 7(12), 1862-1869. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2010.08.016
    • de Groot, N. M. S., Houben, R. P. M., Smeets, J. L., Boersma, E., Schotten, U., Schalij, M. J., Crijns, H., & Allessie, M. A. (2010). Electropathological Substrate of Longstanding Persistent Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Structural Heart Disease Epicardial Breakthrough. Circulation, 122(17), 1674-1682. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.910901
    • Camm, A. J., Kirchhof, P., Lip, G. Y. H., Schotten, U., Savelieva, I., Ernst, S., Van Gelder, I. C., Al-Attar, N., Hindricks, G., Prendergast, B., Heidbuchel, H., Alfieri, O., Angelini, A., Atar, D., Colonna, P., De Caterina, R., De Sutter, J., Goette, A., Gorenek, B., ... Rutten, F. H. (2010). Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation The Task Force for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). EP Europace, 12(10), 1360-1420. https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euq350
    • Camm, A. J., Kirchhof, P., Lip, G. Y. H., Schotten, U., Savelieva, I., Ernst, S., Van Gelder, I. C., Al-Attar, N., Hindricks, G., Prendergast, B., Heidbuchel, H., Alfieri, O., Angelini, A., Atar, D., Colonna, P., De Caterina, R., De Sutter, J., Goette, A., Gorenek, B., ... Rutten, F. H. (2010). Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation The Task Force for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). European Heart Journal, 31(19), 2369-2429. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehq278
    • Wakili, R., Yeh, Y.-H., Qi, X. Y., Greiser, M., Chartier, D., Nishida, K., Maguy, A., Villeneuve, L.-R., Boknik, P., Voigt, N., Krysiak, J., Kaeaeb, S., Ravens, U., Linke, W. A., Stienen, G. J. M., Shi, Y., Tardif, J.-C., Schotten, U., Dobrev, D., & Nattel, S. (2010). Multiple Potential Molecular Contributors to Atrial Hypocontractility Caused by Atrial Tachycardia Remodeling in Dogs. Circulation-Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, 3(5), 530-U172. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCEP.109.933036