Specialization
Focus of research
- Heart failure
- Right heart failure
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Cardiac imaging (echocardiography, MRI)
Dr. Mariëlle van de Veerdonk is a cardiologist and academic researcher, specialized in (right) heart failure, pulmonary hypertension (PH) and cardiac imaging. She is affiliated to the departments of cardiology and pulmonology.
The challenges she faces in her daily clinical practice serve as the foundation for her research projects. Her current main research line at the Amsterdam UMC is dedicated to the development of new artificial intelligence-driven right ventricular (RV) imaging parameters, in order to accurately diagnose RV dysfunction, predict prognosis and evaluate RV therapeutic effects in patients with left-sided valvular heart disease and heart failure. In addition, she studies the impact of concomitant tricuspid regurgitation and PH on the right ventricle, as well as their relationship with patient outcomes. These projects are supported by a ZonMw research grant and feature both national and international collaborations.
Dr. van de Veerdonk has developed her interest in right heart failure during her PhD-trajectory focusing on RV remodeling and dysfunction in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In the following years, she remained actively involved in PAH-patient care and scientific research. Furthermore, in a strong collaboration with UMC Utrecht, she studies right heart failure and PH in pediatric and adult patients with congenital heart disease.
She also serves as a co-supervisor for PhD candidates investigating the severity and treatment of acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Her research output directly aligns with her clinical expertise and position as the medical head of the Cardiac Care Unit and Cardiac Emergency Room.
Beyond her clinical and scientific tasks, dr. van de Veerdonk is dedicated to the supervision of medical students, clinical residents and PhD students. She delivers keynote lectures to university students.
Finally, dr. van de Veerdonk is a board member of the ‘Nederlandse Vereniging Voor Cardiologie’ (NVVC) working group Heart Failure, member of the ESC Nucleus Right Heart Failure and member of the international ‘RVNETwork’. Through her faculty roles at several European and American conferences, she actively contributes to both scientific developments and knowledge dissemination within the cardiology field.
The research projects of dr. van de Veerdonk lead to new insights into RV failure development, optimal RV treatment and prognosis and underscore the importance of the right ventricle in various cardiovascular diseases.