Developing a therapy for dangerous heart rhythms after heart attacks
Official title: Translating post-infarct ventricular tachycardia mechanisms into a therapy
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11002681 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how heart tissue heals after a heart attack and how that healing can sometimes lead to dangerous heart rhythms, with the goal of finding new ways to prevent these rhythms and help patients feel safer and healthier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | January 9, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $728,330 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL167527-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11002681 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a myocardial infarction and are at risk for ventricular tachycardia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a heart attack or do not have a history of ventricular arrhythmias may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind dangerous heart rhythms, known as ventricular tachycardia, that can occur after a heart attack. It focuses on understanding how the healing process of heart tissue creates conditions that lead to these arrhythmias. By using advanced gene transfer techniques, the researchers aim to modify the heart's electrical properties to prevent these life-threatening rhythms. Patients may benefit from innovative therapies that target the underlying causes of their arrhythmias.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that significantly reduce the risk of life-threatening heart rhythms in patients who have suffered a heart attack.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using gene transfer techniques to modify heart rhythms, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Donahue, J Kevin — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Donahue, J Kevin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Map heart tissue to guide VT ablation with AI help
A patient-oriented project aims to use AI-based mapping to better identify abnormal heart tissue responsible for ventricular tachycardia and guide safer, faster ablation.
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Proton SBRT for refractory ventricular tachycardia with real-time 3D/4D imaging
A patient-facing study exploring a proton-based, noninvasive radiation therapy to treat stubborn VT using advanced 3D and 4D imaging to target the heart safely.
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Venous ethanol ablation to treat ischemic VT (VE-VT)
A new treatment approach uses ethanol delivered through heart veins to help stop dangerous heart rhythms in patients with previous heart damage.
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Novel gene therapy tools to prevent dangerous heart rhythms
A small grant supports testing gene-therapy methods to stop ventricular tachycardia after a heart attack, with the goal of helping people at risk of sudden heart rhythm problems.
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Radiation-guided ablation for ventricular tachycardia
This project tests a noninvasive radiation approach to ablate heart tissue in people with dangerous ventricular tachycardia to reduce the need for invasive procedures.
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Low-Field MRI–Guided Robotic Catheter System for VT Ablation
A research project is testing a new low-field MRI–guided robotic catheter to improve treatment of ventricular tachycardia for patients with abnormal heart structure.
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.