A virtual catheter tool for pulmonary hypertension using advanced MRI
Official title: 4D virtual Catheter (4D vCath) for multi-factorial hemodynamics in pulmonary hypertension
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11143130 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is creating a new, non-invasive way to quickly and accurately diagnose and understand pulmonary hypertension using a special type of MRI.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $664,005 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL169780-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143130 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant for patients suspected of having pulmonary hypertension, particularly those needing a clearer diagnosis between different subtypes like Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) and Pulmonary Venous Hypertension (PVH).
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have or are not suspected of having pulmonary hypertension would not directly benefit from this specific diagnostic tool.
What this research studies
Pulmonary hypertension is a serious heart and lung condition that is currently difficult and slow to diagnose, often requiring invasive procedures. Our team is developing a '4D Right-Heart Virtual Catheter' (vCath) that uses a single, advanced 4D Flow MRI scan to gather comprehensive information about the heart's function. This innovative tool combines mathematical modeling with MRI data to create a personalized digital assessment. It aims to provide a full set of diagnostic and prognostic details for all right heart chambers in just a couple of minutes, without the need for invasive tests.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this tool could significantly speed up the diagnosis and classification of pulmonary hypertension, allowing patients to receive earlier and more appropriate treatment without invasive procedures.
How similar studies have gone: While 4D Flow MRI is an established imaging technique, the development of a comprehensive 'virtual catheter' for streamlined, multi-factorial hemodynamic analysis in pulmonary hypertension is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Elbaz, Mohammed — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Elbaz, Mohammed
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.