Michael Vinther

Electrophysiology

Copenhagen University Hospital

About

Michael Vinther works in Electrophysiology affiliated with Copenhagen University Hospital.

Michael Vinther is an electrophysiologist at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark. He holds an MD from the University of Copenhagen. His research focuses on cardiac pacing, defibrillation, and arrhythmias.

Research focus

His-bundle pacingCardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD)Cardiac arrhythmiasElectrophysiology studies

Impact

66 pubs · 971 cites · h-index 15

Training

MD
University of Copenhagen
1992

Affiliations

Work Experience

Electrophysiologist

Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital · 2016 - Present

Publications

International Journal of CardiologySteiner et al.cohort

Pre-existing right bundle branch block increased the risk of permanent pacemaker implantation at 30 days following surgical aortic valve replacement by 2.5-fold compared to no bundle branch block.

Baseline bundle branch block in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement predicts an increased risk for postoperative permanent pacemaker implantation, with left bundle branch block also conferring a higher risk for new-onset heart failure.

EP EuropaceAlhakak et al.cohort

Ten year endocarditis rates across implanted heart devices ranged from 1.0% to 2.2%

This study tracked patients in Denmark getting a first pacemaker, defibrillator, or resynchronization device and compared them with moderate risk and high risk patients. At 10 years, infective endocarditis occurred in 1.0% of pacemaker patients and 2.2% of those with a resynchronization defibrillator. Across all devices, adjusted risk sat above the moderate risk group but below the high risk group with left sided prosthetic valves. This supports their current moderate risk classification.

ACC Journal Scan

2mo

These studies have shown excellent and similar or even better responses with CSP-CRT compared to BiV-CRT and comparing our results to some of the latest European studies (CSP-Sync and Left Bundle CRT) the improvements in the patients randomized to CSP-CRT were almost identical regarding LVEF and...

JACC. Clinical electrophysiologyVinther et al.RCT · ESC 2026

Conduction system pacing shrunk heart volume no worse than biventricular pacing in heart failure

This trial tested conduction system pacing against standard biventricular pacing in 150 patients with symptomatic heart failure, low ejection fraction and left bundle branch block. At 6 months, left ventricular end systolic volume fell by 35% with conduction system pacing versus 34% with biventricular pacing, meeting the bar for no worse, while ejection fraction rose 14% in both groups. The catch: 15% of patients assigned to conduction system pacing crossed over to biventricular pacing at implantation.

Jens Cosedis Nielsen

Electrophysiology · Aarhus University

2mo

While CRT improves symptoms, quality of life and survival in majority of patients, up to one-third do not experience any benefit. Observational data have shown that measuring a late electrical signal from the left ventricular lead is associated with better outcomes. However, whether a strategy of targeting placement of the left ventricular lead at the latest activated site improves outcomes has never been investigated in a large randomized controlled trial.

Targeted left ventricular lead placement in biventricular pacing for heart failure: a national, multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial in Denmark

The LancetNielsen et al.Aug 2026

Heart & LungNicolau et al.cross-sectional

First-time CIED implantation and younger age are linked to ~168% higher odds of preprocedural anxiety.

May warrant anxiety screening in ICD clinics; leaves open prospective trials on interventions for at-risk subgroups.

American Heart JournalRisum et al.RCT

The His-Alternative II trial randomized 150 patients to evaluate whether CSP-based CRT is noninferior to conventional biventricular pacing for left ventricular reverse remodeling at 6 months.

May favor His bundle over biventricular pacing in HF with LBBB; extends randomized evidence for conduction-system pacing.

European Heart Journal - Imaging Methods and PracticeRisum et al.cohort

Septal contraction patterns LBBB-1 and LBBB-2 prior to CRT were associated with a lower risk of death, LVAD, or heart transplant compared to LBBB-4.

LBBB-1/2 patterns were associated with markedly lower composite risk; leaves open whether lateral strain refines prognostication in advanced HF.

JACCRuwald et al.cohort

First-time syncope admission in healthy individuals is linked to ~6% higher all-cause mortality.

May warrant enhanced surveillance in healthy syncope patients; leaves open optimal evaluation to alter prognosis.

TCTMD

6mo

We now have randomized data showing that [LBBAP] is a very credible CRT option, with procedural advantages in some settings and clinical outcomes that are at least broadly comparable to BiV-CRT in selected populations.

His Pacing vs Biventricular Pacing for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

JACC. Clinical electrophysiologyFrandsen et al.Apr 2026

European Journal of Heart FailureFussing et al.cohort

GLP-1RA initiation was associated with higher night heart rate, higher daily heart rate, and higher thoracic impedance compared with controls.

Supports caution when initiating GLP-1RA in HFrEF; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.

Journal of Cardiovascular ImagingSakthivel et al.RCT

No significant differences were found between groups in change in LVEF, GLS, or GCW, with only minor improvements in lateral diastolic parameters e'lat and E/e'lat.

Should not be used to improve myocardial function in ICD patients; challenges potassium-raising therapies for systolic benefit despite minor diastolic gains.

European Heart Journal OpenLafta et al.cohort

CIED reimplantation within three months of extraction for infective endocarditis shows no outcome differences.

Reimplantation within 90 days may be reasonable without clear excess risk; leaves open optimal timing pending randomized data.

European Heart Journal OpenSteiner et al.cohort

Baseline RBBB predicts ~4.6-fold greater risk of pacemaker implantation after TAVI.

May inform pre-TAVI monitoring strategies in patients with baseline right bundle branch block; extends observational data without supporting practice change.

HeartAlhakak et al.cohort

CIED removal was associated with lower 6-month rates of IE readmission and all-cause mortality compared with no removal.

CIED removal was associated with lower risks; supports but does not confirm guideline recommendations pending randomized data.

Journal of Psychosomatic ResearchSkov et al.cohort

The observed prevalence of depression decreased from 13.2% at implantation to 7.2% after two years, anxiety decreased from 9.0% to 4.3%, and device acceptance increased from baseline to 6 months and stabilized.

Psychological adjustment improves over 24 months after first ICD implantation; extends prior observations but leaves open need for targeted intervention trials in high-risk subgroups.

European Heart Journal - Imaging Methods and PracticeDinesen et al.Cross-Sectional Study

Speckle tracking echocardiography for prediction of arrhythmias in idiopathic ventricular fibrillation

Cross-sectional analysis shows increased left ventricular mechanical dispersion indicates risk of ventricular arrhythmias in idiopathic ventricular fibrillation patients.

Pacing and Clinical ElectrophysiologySkov et al.cohort

Abbreviated 12-item Florida Patient Acceptance Survey outperforms the original 15-item version in ICD recipients.

May support abbreviated FPAS for assessing ICD acceptance; leaves open outcome-linked validation before clinical adoption.

JACC Case ReportsCampens et al.case_report

Advanced endovascular techniques, including progressive ballooning and a kissing balloon technique, successfully restored venous flow and provided immediate symptom relief in a patient with severe superior vena cava syndrome.

Endovascular management of venous stenosis secondary to pacing or defibrillator leads requires meticulous technique, including multisite access and progressive ballooning, to avoid complications.

General Hospital PsychiatryPedersen et al.cohort

Type D personality was independently associated with increased depression and anxiety scores at 12 months post-ICD implantation, whereas ICD expectations showed no significant association.

Screening for Type D personality and ICD expectations may identify at-risk patients; leaves open whether interventions reduce anxiety or depression.

PeptidesDeis et al.cross-sectional

No significant transcardiac gradient of proCCK was found in failing hearts, WPW, or AFIB.

There is no evidence of net myocardial secretion of proCCK in humans with or without heart failure, questioning its utility as a cardiac biomarker.

All publications →