Elke Hoendermis, (MD, PhD) is a cardiologist who is specialized in congenital heart disease, interventions in structural and congenital heart disease and in pulmonary hypertension. She works as a Cardiologist in the University Medical Centre Groningen, The Netherlands since November 2001.
Hoendermis’ research is focused on invasive hemodynamics in pulmonary hypertension, heart failure and congenital heart disease and device interventions.
She takes part in several monocenter and multicenter studies on new medical and interventional treatment modalities in heart failure or congenital and structural heart diseases, such as treatment of PH in heart failure with advanced PH targeting medication or treatment of different kinds of heart diseases with implantation of cardiac devices. Other research projects are focused on hemodynamics in heart failure and in congenital abnormal heart anatomy such as the Fontan circulation. Her main interest is to increase knowledge on hemodynamic changes in different heart diseases and device interventions as new treatment options.
Current activities
We are currently investigating the impact of different cardiac device implantations on hemodynamics, prognosis and quality of life of patients with heart failure or pulmonary hypertension. Ongoing projects are evaluating the effect of creation of a shunt between the two atria with a device, the implantation of a pulmonary pressure sensor in patients with heart failure to allow a novel way of home monitoring. Another randomized study focusses on the closure of the left atrial appendice in patients with atrial fibrillation and a contraindication for anticoagulation.