Main research topics

• Myocardial metabolism and mitochondria
• Pathomechanism of cardiovascular calcification

Current projects

• Myocardial metabolism in heart failure
• Oxidative capacity in myocardial ischemia
• Matrix-Gla protein and cardiovascular calcification
• beta1 activating antibodies in heart failure

Collaborations

• Prof. Dr. L. Schurgers (CARIM, Maastricht, NL)
• Prof. Dr. W. Jahnen-Dechent (Helmholtz Institut, Aachen)

Selected publications

• ScheiberD, Zweck E, Jelenik T, Horn P, Albermann S, Masyuk M, Boeken U, Saeed D, Kelm M, Roden M, Szendroedi J, Westenfeld R. Reduced Myocardial Mitochondrial ROS Production in Mechanically Unloaded Hearts. J CardiovascTranslRes2018 [Epub ahead of print]
• Hilfiker-Kleiner D, Haghikia A, Berliner D, Vogel-Claussen J, Schwab J, Franke A, Schwarzkopf M, Ehlermann P, Pfister R, Michels G, Westenfeld R, Stangl V, Kindermann I, Kühl U, Angermann CE, Schlitt A, Fischer D, Podewski E, Böhm M, Sliwa K, Bauersachs J. Bromocriptine for the treatment of peripartum cardiomyopathy: a multicentre randomized study. Eur Heart J. 2017;38(35):2671-2679
• Boege F, Westenfeld R, Jahns R. β1AAb Determined by Peptide ELISA: A Signal in the Noise? J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017;70(6):807-808
• Bönner F, Spieker M, Haberkorn S, Jacoby C, Flögel U, Schnackenburg B, Horn P, Reinecke P, Neizel-Wittke M, Kelm M, Westenfeld R. Myocardial T2 Mapping Increases Noninvasive Diagnostic Accuracy for Biopsy-Proven Myocarditis. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2016;9(12):1467-1469.
• Scheiber D, Veulemans V, Horn P, Chatrou ML, Potthoff SA, Kelm M, Schurgers LJ, Westenfeld R. High-Dose Menaquinone-7 Supplementation Reduces Cardiovascular Calcification in a Murine Model of Extraosseous Calcification. Nutrients. 2015;7(8):6991-7011
• Horn P, Stern D, Veulemans V, Heiss C, Zeus T, Merx MW, Kelm M, Westenfeld R. Improved endothelial function and decreased levels of endothelium-derived microparticles after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. EuroIntervention. 2015;(12):1456-63.
• Krüger T, Oelenberg S, Kaesler N, Schurgers LJ, van de Sandt AM, Boor P, Schlieper G, Brandenburg VM, Fekete BC, Veulemans V, Ketteler M, Vermeer C, Jahnen-Dechent W, Floege J, Westenfeld R. Warfarin induces cardiovascular damage in mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2013;(11):2618-24.
• Westenfeld R, Schäfer C, Krüger T, Haarmann C, Schurgers LJ, Reutelingsperger C, Ivanovski O, Drueke T, Massy ZA, Ketteler M, Floege J, Jahnen-Dechent W. Fetuin-A protects against atherosclerotic calcification in CKD. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009;20(6):1264-74.
• Schäfer C, Heiss A, Schwarz A, Westenfeld R, Ketteler M, Floege J, Müller-Esterl W, Schinke T, Jahnen-Dechent W. The serum protein alpha 2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein/fetuin-A is a systemically acting inhibitor of ectopic calcification. J Clin Invest. 2003;112(3):357-66
• Ketteler M, Bongartz P, Westenfeld R, Wildberger JE, Mahnken AH, Böhm R, Metzger T, Wanner C, Jahnen-Dechent W, Floege J. Association of low fetuin-A (AHSG) concentrations in serum with cardiovascular mortality in patients on dialysis: a cross-sectional study. Lancet. 2003;361(9360):827-33