Improving MRI access for children with heart devices
Official title: Safe and Effective MRI for Pediatric Patients with a Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11041182 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for safer ways for kids with heart devices to get MRI scans, so they can benefit from this important imaging without the risks that come with other methods.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $589,430 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL168859-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11041182 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants and children with congenital heart defects or arrhythmia syndromes who have received a cardiac implantable electronic device.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cardiac implantable electronic devices or those who do not require MRI imaging will not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the safety and effectiveness of MRI scans for pediatric patients who have cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). It aims to address the challenges faced by young patients with congenital heart defects who are currently unable to undergo MRI due to the risks associated with their devices. The study will explore new methods to safely perform MRI on these patients, potentially allowing them to benefit from this advanced imaging technique without the risks of radiation exposure from alternative imaging methods. By utilizing preliminary data, the research seeks to establish protocols that could make MRI a viable option for these children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the radiation exposure for pediatric patients with CIEDs by allowing safe access to MRI imaging.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research in this area, the specific approach to safely perform MRI on pediatric patients with CIEDs is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Golestani Rad, Laleh — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Golestani Rad, Laleh
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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.