Imaging damaging oxygen molecules after a heart attack
Non-invasive imaging of reactive oxygen species in reperfusion injury myocardial infarction
This project develops MRI and PET scans to detect harmful oxygen-related chemicals in the heart after blood flow is restored, aiming to help people who have had a heart attack.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321285 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project aims to create non-invasive MRI and PET scans that can spot reactive oxygen species and iron-related damage when blood flow returns to the heart after a heart attack. Researchers will test these scans in large animal models and compare imaging results with tissue pathology, immunohistochemistry, and chemical analysis. That comparison will show whether the scans accurately mark areas of reperfusion injury that could later lose viable heart muscle. If the scans work well, they could be used in future human studies to help doctors predict complications and tailor treatments after reperfusion therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who recently had a heart attack and had blood flow restored (by clot-busting drugs or a catheter/stent procedure) would be the most relevant candidates for future use of these scans.
Not a fit: Patients who did not undergo reperfusion, those with long-standing chronic heart disease, or people with MRI-incompatible implants may not receive benefit from these imaging methods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these scans could help doctors identify reperfusion injury early and guide treatments to reduce heart damage after a heart attack.
How similar studies have performed: Some MRI and PET approaches have shown promise for imaging tissue damage after reperfusion, but combining iron-sensitive MRI with ROS-targeted PET and validating them in large animals is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Witschey, Walter R.t. — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Witschey, Walter R.t.
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 below.