In his research, Lucas Boersma has primarily focused on transcatheter treatment of atrial fibrillation. There has been a significant increase in catheter interventions over the past fifteen years, resulting in a substantial need for techniques that are swift, successful and safe. In terms of catheter ablation, the innovation will partly focus on the combination of speed and durability and partly on mapping the deviations that occur in the chest more accurately to facilitate optimised individual ablation. In addition, Boersma’s research focuses on stroke prevention associated with atrial fibrillation by closure of the left atrial appendage.

In his capactity as professor by special appointment, Boersma will be working on introducing a number of entirely new ablation catheter techniques using new energy sources. In addition, based on MRI imaging measurements and clinical outcomes in patients, a review will be carried out to ascertain if these innovations are more effective and efficient than existing techniques. Another area of his research focuses on mapping of atrial ablation in crucial areas using periprocedural fibrosis measurement with MRI imaging or periprocedural electronic marking, which allows electrophysiologists to compare which approach would be most successful in the long term. Furthermore, Boersma will be studying both new and existing atrial appendage closure techniques, alone or in conjunction with ablation treatment. Within the context of collaboration between the AMC-UvA and the St. Antonius Ziekenhuis, Boersma will also be taking part in research into clinical intervention using thoracoscopic ablation for atrial fibrillation.

About Lucas Boersma

Boersma has been associated with the AMC-UvA in the capacity of Associate Principal Investigator since 2016. In addition, he has been working as a cardiologist and as a clinical electrophysiologist at the St. Antonius Ziekenhuis since 2001, heading the department for seven years and holding the position of medical manager for the Zorgeenheid Harten (heart care unit) for six years. Boersma was appointed head of the Cardiology R&D department in 2016.

Boersma is the chairman of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology (NVVC) Knowledge Agenda Committee and is an NVVC representative at the Council for Science and Innovation of the Federation of Medical Specialists (FMS). He previously held the position of Chair of the Cardiac Arrhythmias Working Group at the Netherlands Society of Cardiology (NVVC) for five years and was the Treasurer of the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) for three years.

Boersma has published over a hundred articles in international, peer-reviewed journals, such as the New England Journal of Medicine, European Heart Journal, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, and Circulation. In addition, Boersma is Associate Editor at Europace and is a member of the editorial board of the European Heart Journal and the Heart Rhythm Journal. Boersma is a Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology and the European Heart Rhythm Association. In addition, Boersma is active either as a member or as chairman of multiple steering committees of international clinical studies.