"Minder is meer" [In Dutch]

Electromechanics is the research field that investigates the connection between electrical activation and pump function of the heart. Disturbance of the rapid conduction of the electrical impulses occurs in diseases and when the heart is stimulated by pacemakers. Our group has discovered that an abnormally slow conduction immediately leads to a decrease in pump function, and resulting in the long run in adverse adaptations at the cellular level and further worsening of pump function. We have developed a new pacemaker therapy in which the electrode is positioned on the left side of the interventricular septum. Using this electrode position prevents worsening of pump function and even improves pump function in a subgroup of patients. Left septal pacing is simpler and cheaper than placing multiple electrodes in the heart. Furthermore, the group has developed a new ECG-indicator for prediction of the success of pacemaker therapy that is superior to those recommended by current guidelines. Recently we have discovered that novel analysis of heart sounds (known from the 200-year-old stethoscope) provides a very good indication of cardiac pump function and that, in the future, this may be useful for home monitoring of patients.

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