José Henriques' research focuses on interventional cardiology in general and on cardiogenic shock patients in particular. Interventional cardiology entails diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac procedures.  The most common of these treatment techniques is the placement of a stent to open up coronary artery blockages (known as angioplasty). Angioplasty is currently the cornerstone treatment for an acute heart attack (complete blockage of a coronary artery).

This acute treatment limits damage to the heart muscle and allows it to retain its pumping function. When this pumping action is compromised it can lead to cardiogenic shock, a condition where the heart is insufficiently able to pump blood around the body, ultimately resulting in organ failure.

Every year, around 3,000 people in the Netherlands suffer an acute heart attack complicated with cardiogenic shock, with (still) unacceptably high mortality rates.

Henriques aims to study, develop and implement better interventions for people with acute heart attack and cardiogenic shock to reduce mortality rates. He will not only focus on the hard endpoints such as mortality but will also study the effect of immediate and long-term treatments on patients, including cost-effectiveness of interventions and quality of life.

He intends to investigate when and which mechanical support (an external temporary heart pump), to apply in patients with complex cardiogenic shock. This is important as the decision of whether or not to apply support in a trauma situation can mean the difference between life and death.

Henriques is directing the Interventional Cardiology degree programme and leads the invasive Cardiology programme at the AMC-UvA. In 2013 he initiated Regional Complex Cases Meetings for cardiologists in the Amsterdam area, together with the OLVG and VUmc. He also teaches on Cardiogenic Shock to medical students and supervises fellows obtaining a subspecialty in Interventional cardiology.

Henriques has been working as a cardiologist at the AMC-UvA since 2003 and served as head of the Heart Catherisation department since 2008. In 2013, he was appointed Principal Investigator at the AMC-UvA. Currently he is also involved in setting up a regional alliance between the AMC-UvA, VUmc and OLVG for patients receiving treatment with mechanical cardiac support.