Henri Spronk

Associate professor

Initially trained in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Nijmegen University, Dr Henri Spronk obtained a PhD in Biochemistry on the effects of impaired vitamin K-dependent protein carboxylation.

The focus of his current work is on the bidirectional relation between coagulation and inflammation, as well as on the applicability of functional plasma assays such as thrombin generation, for atherothrombotic risk prediction. He has a special interest in the role of active coagulation factors, mainly thrombin, in activation of protein-activated receptors (PARs) which can regulate the balance between vascular protective and disruptive. Overall, knowledge on the non-haemostatic functions of thrombin and factor Xa enables pharmacological interference in cellular processes contributing to the the development and progression of atherosclerosis or atrial fibrillation.

Department of Biochemistry
Department of Internal Medicine
Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht
PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht
Room number: 4.326
T: +31(0)43 388 42 61

  • 2017
    • Spronk, H. M. H., De Jong, A. M., Verheule, S., De Boer, H. C., Maass, A. H., Lau, D. H., Rienstra, M., van Hunnik, A., Kuiper, M., Lumeij, S., Zeemering, S., Linz, D., Kamphuisen, P. W., ten Cate, H., Crijns, H. J., Van Gelder, I. C., van Zonneveld, A. J., & Schotten, U. (2017). Hypercoagulability causes atrial fibrosis and promotes atrial fibrillation. European Heart Journal, 38(1), 38-50. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehw119
  • 2016
    • Zentai, C., Solomon, C., van der Meijden, P. E. J., Spronk, H. M. H., Schnabel, J., Rossaint, R., & Grottke, O. (2016). Effects of Fibrinogen Concentrate on Thrombin Generation, Thromboelastometry Parameters, and Laboratory Coagulation Testing in a 24-Hour Porcine Trauma Model. Clinical and Applied Thrombosis-Hemostasis, 22(8), 749-759. https://doi.org/10.1177/1076029615584662
    • Posma, J. J. N., Posthuma, J. J., & Spronk, H. M. H. (2016). Coagulation and non-coagulation effects of thrombin. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 14(10), 1908-1916. https://doi.org/10.1111/jth.13441
    • Loeffen, R. A., van Oerle, R., Leers, M. P. G., Kragten, J. A., Crijns, H., Spronk, H. M. H., & ten Cate, H. (2016). Factor XIa and Thrombin Generation Are Elevated in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and Predict Recurrent Cardiovascular Events. PLOS ONE, 11(7), Article e0158355. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0158355
    • Zentai, C., van der Meijden, P. E. J., Braunschweig, T., Hueck, N., Honickel, M., Spronk, H. M. H., Rossaint, R., & Grottke, O. (2016). Hemostatic Therapy Using Tranexamic Acid and Coagulation Factor Concentrates in a Model of Traumatic Liver Injury. Anesthesia and Analgesia, 123(1), 38-48. https://doi.org/10.1213/ANE.0000000000001379
    • van Beers, J. J. B. C., van Egmond, L. T., Wetzels, R. J. H., Verhezen, P. W. M., Beckers, E. A. M., van Oerle, R., Spronk, H. M. H., Straat, R. J. M. H. E., & Henskens, Y. M. C. (2016). Increased coagulation and fibrinolytic potential of solvent-detergent plasma: a comparative study between Omniplasma and fresh frozen plasma. Vox Sanguinis, 111(1), 33-42. https://doi.org/10.1111/vox.12395
    • Heestermans, M., Salloum-Asfar, S., Salvatori, D., Laghmani, E. H., Luken, B. M., Zeerleder, S. S., Spronk, H. M. H., Korporaal, S. J., Wagenaar, G. T. M., Reitsma, P. H., & van Vlijmen, B. J. M. (2016). Role of platelets, neutrophils, and factor XII in spontaneous venous thrombosis in mice. Blood, 127(21), 2630-2637. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2015-10-672766
    • Cheung, Y. W., Bouman, A. C., Castoldi, E., Wielders, S. J., Spronk, H. M. H., ten Cate, H., Hoek - ten Cate, A., & ten Wolde, M. (2016). Toll-like receptor 9 gene expression in the post-thrombotic syndrome, residual thrombosis and recurrent deep venous thrombosis: A case-control study. Thrombosis Research, 140, 106-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2016.02.025
    • Honickel, M., Maron, B., van Ryn, J., Braunschweig, T., ten Cate, H., Spronk, H. M. H., Rossaint, R., & Grottke, O. (2016). Therapy with activated prothrombin complex concentrate is effective in reducing dabigatran-associated blood loss in a porcine polytrauma model. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 115(2), 271-284. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH15-03-0266
    • Panova-Noeva, M., Schulz, A., Hermanns, M. I., Grossmann, V., Pefani, E., Spronk, H. M. H., Laubert-Reh, D., Binder, H., Beutel, M., Pfeiffer, N., Blankenberg, S., Zeller, T., Muenzel, T., Lackner, K. J., ten Cate, H., & Wild, P. S. (2016). Sex-specific differences in genetic and nongenetic determinants of mean platelet volume: results from the Gutenberg Health Study. Blood, 127(2), 251-259. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2015-07-660308
    • Kuiper, G.-J., Kleinegris, M.-C., van Oerle, R., Spronk, H., Lance, M., ten Cate, H., & Henskens, Y. (2016). Validation of a modified thromboelastometry approach to detect changes in fibrinolytic activity. Thrombosis Journal, 14(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12959-016-0076-2
  • 2015
    • Honickel, M., Braunschweig, T., van Ryn, J., ten Cate, H., Spronk, H. M. H., Rossaint, R., & Grottke, O. (2015). Prothrombin Complex Concentrate Is Effective in Treating the Anticoagulant Effects of Dabigatran in a Porcine Polytrauma Model. Anesthesiology, 123(6), 1350-1361. https://doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0000000000000863
    • Grottke, O., Honickel, M., van Ryn, J., ten Cate, H., Rossaint, R., & Spronk, H. M. (2015). Idarucizumab, a Specific Dabigatran Reversal Agent, Reduces Blood Loss in a Porcine Model of Trauma With Dabigatran Anticoagulation. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 66(13), 1518-1519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2015.07.051
    • Hoek - ten Cate, A. J., ten Cate, H., Henskens, Y., van der Meijden, P. E. J., Spronk, H. M. H., & Wittens, C. (2015). Maastricht Consensus Conference on Thrombosis (MCCT): A roadmap for future research, February 11-13, 2015, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Thrombosis Research, 136, S1-S2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2015.07.033
    • Spronk, H. M. H., Cannegieter, S., Morange, P., Hackeng, T., Huisman, M., Nagler, M., Posthuma, J., Ninivaggi, M., Zwaveling, S., van der Hulle, T., Scheres, L. J. J., van Mens, T. E., & Mackman, N. (2015). Theme 2: Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Imaging of Venous Thromboembolism (and postthrombotic syndrome). Thrombosis Research, 136, S8-S12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2015.07.035
    • Loeffen, R., Winckers, K., Ford, I., Jukema, J. W., Robertson, M., Stott, D. J., Spronk, H. M., ten Cate, H., & Lowe, G. D. (2015). Associations Between Thrombin Generation and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Elderly Patients: Results From the PROSPER Study. Journals of Gerontology Series A-Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 70(8), 982-988. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glu228
    • Loeffen, R., Godschalk, T. C., van Oerle, R., Spronk, H. M. H., Hackeng, C. M., ten Berg, J. M., & ten Cate, H. (2015). The hypercoagulable profile of patients with stent thrombosis. Heart, 101(14), 1126-1132. https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2014-306685
    • Spronk, H. M. H., Braunschweig, T., Rossaint, R., Wuest, D. C., van Oerle, R., Lauritzen, B., Tolba, R., & Grottke, O. (2015). Recombinant Factor VIIa Reduces Bleeding after Blunt Liver Injury in a Pig Model of Dilutional Coagulopathy under Severe Hypothermia. PLOS ONE, 10(6), Article e0113979. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0113979
    • Hermanns, M. I., Grossmann, V., Spronk, H. M. H., Schulz, A., Juenger, C., Laubert-Reh, D., Mazur, J., Gori, T., Zeller, T., Pfeiffer, N., Beutel, M., Blankenberg, S., Muenzel, T., Lackner, K. J., Hoek - ten Cate, A. J., ten Cate, H., & Wild, P. S. (2015). Distribution, genetic and cardiovascular determinants of FVIII:c - Data from the population-based Gutenberg Health Study. International Journal of Cardiology, 187(1), 166-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.03.330
    • Geenen, I. L. A., Molin, D. G. M., van den Akker, N. M. S., Jeukens, F., Spronk, H. M., Schurink, G. W. H., & Post, M. J. (2015). Endothelial cells (ECs) for vascular tissue engineering: venous ECs are less thrombogenic than arterial ECs. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 9(5), 564-576. https://doi.org/10.1002/term.1642
    • Posthuma, J. J., van der Meijden, P. E. J., ten Cate, H., & Spronk, H. M. H. (2015). Short- and Long-term exercise induced alterations in haemostasis: a review of the literature. Blood Reviews, 29(3), 171-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.blre.2014.10.005
  • 2014
    • Loeffen, R., van Oerle, R., de Groot, P. G., Waltenberger, J., Crijns, H. J., Spronk, H. M. H., & ten Cate, H. (2014). Increased factor XIa levels in patients with a first acute myocardial infarction: The introduction of a new thrombin generation based factor XIa assay. Thrombosis Research, 134(6), 1328-1334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2014.09.015
    • Schurgers, L. J., & Spronk, H. M. H. (2014). Differential cellular effects of old and new oral anticoagulants: consequences to the genesis and progression of atherosclerosis. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 112(5), 909-917. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH14-03-0268
    • Kleinegris, M. C., Bos, M. H., Roest, M., Henskens, Y., Ten Cate-Hoek, A., Van Deursen, C., Spronk, H. M., Reitsma, P. H., De Groot, P. G., ten Cate, H., & Koek, G. (2014). Cirrhosis patients have a coagulopathy that is associated with decreased clot formation capacity. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 12(10), 1647-1657. https://doi.org/10.1111/jth.12706
    • van Ryn, J., Grottke, O., & Spronk, H. (2014). Measurement of dabigatran in standardly used clinical assays, whole blood viscoelastic coagulation, and thrombin generation assays. Clinics in Laboratory Medicine, 34(3), 479-501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cll.2014.06.008
    • Posthuma, J. J., Loeffen, R., van Oerle, R., Henskens, Y. M. C., ten Cate, H., Spronk, H. M. H., & van der Meijden, P. E. J. (2014). Long-term strenuous exercise induces a hypercoagulable state through contact activation. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 111(6), 1197-1199. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH13-11-0963
    • Spronk, H. M. H., ten Cate, H., & van der Meijden, P. E. J. (2014). Differential roles of Tissue Factor and Phosphatidylserine in activation of coagulation. Thrombosis Research, 133(SUPPL. 1), S54-S56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2014.03.022
    • Geenen, I. L., Verbruggen, S., Molin, D. G., Spronk, H. M., Maessen, J. G., Meesters, B., Schurink, G. W., & Post, M. J. (2014). Phenotypic Fitness of Primary Endothelial Cells Cultured from Patients with High Cardiovascular Risk or Chronic Kidney Disease for Vascular Tissue Engineering. Tissue Engineering, 20(5-6), 1049-1059. https://doi.org/10.1089/ten.tea.2013.0163
    • Spronk, H. M. H., de Jong, A. M., Crijns, H. J., Schotten, U., Van Gelder, I. C., & ten Cate, H. (2014). Pleiotropic effects of factor Xa and thrombin: what to expect from novel anticoagulants. Cardiovascular Research, 101(3), 344-351. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvt343
    • Kalz, J., ten Cate, H., & Spronk, H. M. H. (2014). Thrombin generation and atherosclerosis. Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis, 37(1), 45-55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11239-013-1026-5
    • Cornelis, T., Broers, N. J. H., Titulaer, D. C. L. M., Henskens, Y. M., van Oerle, R., van der Sande, F. M., Spronk, H. M., Vink, H., Leunissen, K. M., ten Cate, H., & Kooman, J. P. (2014). Effects of Ultrapure Hemodialysis and Low Molecular Weight Heparin on the Endothelial Surface Layer. Blood Purification, 38(3-4), 203-210. https://doi.org/10.1159/000369055
    • Grottke, O., van Ryn, J., Spronk, H. M. H., & Rossaint, R. (2014). Prothrombin complex concentrates and a specific antidote to dabigatran are effective ex-vivo in reversing the effects of dabigatran in an anticoagulation/liver trauma experimental model. Critical Care, 18(1), Article R27. https://doi.org/10.1186/cc13717
  • 2013
    • Nickel, K. F., Spronk, H. M., Mutch, N. J., & Renné, T. (2013). Time-dependent degradation and tissue factor addition mask the ability of platelet polyphosphates in activating factor XII-mediated coagulation. Blood, 122(23), 3847-3849. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2013-09-525840
    • Spronk, H. M. H., Borissoff, J. I., & ten Cate, H. (2013). New Insights into Modulation of Thrombin Formation. Current Atherosclerosis Reports, 15(11), Article 363. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-013-0363-3
    • Konings, J., Govers-Riemslag, J. W. P., Spronk, H. M. H., Waltenberger, J. L., & ten Cate, H. (2013). Activation of the contact system in patients with a first acute myocardial infarction. Thrombosis Research, 132(1), 138-142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2013.05.016
    • Smid, M., Dielis, A. W. J. H., Spronk, H. M. H., Rumley, A., van Oerle, R., Woodward, M., ten Cate, H., & Lowe, G. (2013). Thrombin Generation in the Glasgow Myocardial Infarction Study. PLOS ONE, 8(6), Article e66977. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0066977
    • Theuwissen, E., Teunissen, K. J., Spronk, H. M. H., Hamulyak, K., Ten Cate, H., Shearer, M. J., Vermeer, C., & Schurgers, L. J. (2013). Effect of low-dose supplements of menaquinone-7 (vitamin K-2) on the stability of oral anticoagulant treatment: dose-response relationship in healthy volunteers. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 11(6), 1085-1092. https://doi.org/10.1111/jth.12203
    • van der Meijden, P. E. J., Bouman, A. C., Feijge, M. A. H., van Oerle, R., Spronk, H. M. H., Hamulyak, K., ten Cate-Hoek, A. J., ten Cate, H., & Heemskerk, J. W. M. (2013). Platelet Dysfunction in Thrombosis Patients Treated with Vitamin K Antagonists and Recurrent Bleeding. PLOS ONE, 8(5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0064112
    • Strak, M., Hoek, G., Steenhof, M., Kilinc, E., Godri, K. J., Gosens, I., Mudway, I. S., van Oerle, R., Spronk, H. M. H., Cassee, F. R., Kelly, F. J., Harrison, R. M., Brunekreef, B., Lebret, E., & Janssen, N. A. H. (2013). Components of ambient air pollution affect thrombin generation in healthy humans: the RAPTES project. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 70(5), 332-340. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2012-100992
    • Strak, M., Hoek, G., Godri, K. J., Gosens, I., Mudway, I. S., van Oerle, R., Spronk, H. M. H., Cassee, F. R., Lebret, E., Kelly, F. J., Harrison, R. M., Brunekreef, B., Steenhof, M., & Janssen, N. A. H. (2013). Composition of PM Affects Acute Vascular Inflammatory and Coagulative Markers - The RAPTES Project. PLOS ONE, 8(3), Article e58944. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0058944
    • Borissoff, J. I., Otten, J. J. T., Heeneman, S., Leenders, P., van Oerle, R., Soehnlein, O., Loubele, S. T. B. G., Hamulyak, K., Hackeng, T. M., Daemen, M. J. A. P., Degen, J. L., Weiler, H., Esmon, C. T., van Ryn, J., Biessen, E. A. L., Spronk, H. M. H., & ten Cate, H. (2013). Genetic and Pharmacological Modifications of Thrombin Formation in Apolipoprotein E-deficient Mice Determine Atherosclerosis Severity and Atherothrombosis Onset in a Neutrophil-Dependent Manner. PLOS ONE, 8(2), Article e55784. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0055784
    • Lance, M. D., Henskens, Y., Nelemans, P., Theunissen, M. H. S., Van Oerle, R., Spronk, H. M., & Marcus, M. A. E. (2013). Do blood collection methods influence whole-blood platelet function analysis?Platelets, 24(4), 275-281. https://doi.org/10.3109/09537104.2012.689038
  • 2012
    • Borissoff, J. I., Joosen, I. A., Versteylen, M. O., Spronk, H. M., ten Cate, H., & Hofstra, L. (2012). Accelerated In Vivo Thrombin Formation Independently Predicts the Presence and Severity of CT Angiographic Coronary Atherosclerosis. JACC-Cardiovascular Imaging, 5(12), 1201-1210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcmg.2012.01.023
    • Dargaud, Y., Wolberg, A. S., Luddington, R., Regnault, V., Spronk, H., Baglin, T., Lecompte, T., Ten Cate, H., & Negrier, C. (2012). Evaluation of a standardized protocol for thrombin generation measurement using the calibrated automated thrombogram: An international multicentre study. Thrombosis Research, 130(6), 929-934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2012.07.017
    • Loeffen, R., Kleinegris, M. .-C. F., Loubele, S. T. B. G., Pluijmen, P. H. M., Fens, D., van Oerle, R., ten Cate, H., & Spronk, H. M. H. (2012). Preanalytic variables of thrombin generation: towards a standard procedure and validation of the method. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 10(12), 2544-2554. https://doi.org/10.1111/jth.12012
    • Geenen, I. L., Post, M. J., Molin, D. G. M., Schurink, G. W. H., Maessen, J. G., van Oerle, R., ten Cate, H., & Spronk, H. M. H. (2012). Coagulation on endothelial cells: the underexposed part of Virchow's Triad. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 108(5), 863-871. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH12-04-0269
    • Talens, S., Malfliet, J. J. M. C., Rudez, G., Spronk, H. M. H., Janssen, N. A. H., Meijer, P., Kluft, C., de Maat, M. P. M., & Rijken, D. C. (2012). Biological variation in tPA-induced plasma clot lysis time. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 108(4), 640-646. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH12-02-0124
    • Lance, M. D., Kuiper, G. J. A. J. M., Sloep, M., Spronk, H. M. H., van Oerle, R., ten Cate, H., Marcus, M. A. E., & Henskens, Y. M. C. (2012). The effects of pneumatic tube system transport on ROTEM analysis and contact activation assessed by thrombin generation test. Thrombosis Research, 130(3), E147-E150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2012.05.002
    • van der Meijden, P. E. J., van Schilfgaarde, M., van Oerle, R., Renne, T., ten Cate, H., & Spronk, H. M. H. (2012). Platelet- and erythrocyte-derived microparticles trigger thrombin generation via factor XIIa. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 10(7), 1355-1362. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1538-7836.2012.04758.x
    • Loeffen, R., Spronk, H. M. H., & ten Cate, H. (2012). The impact of blood coagulability on atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 10(7), 1207-1216. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1538-7836.2012.04782.x