Improving MRI Scans for Atrial Fibrillation Treatment
Precision MRI of Left Atrial Fibrosis for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
This project aims to develop a more accurate MRI scan to help doctors decide if a procedure called catheter ablation will be successful for patients with atrial fibrillation.
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 ID | NIH-11060083 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Catheter ablation is a common procedure for atrial fibrillation, but it doesn't work for everyone, with success rates around 60-70%. Currently, it's difficult to predict which patients will benefit, leading some to undergo costly and risky procedures unnecessarily. This project focuses on improving MRI technology to get clearer images of scar tissue, or fibrosis, in the heart's left atrium. By enhancing the quality and analysis of these MRI scans, doctors hope to more accurately predict if ablation will be effective for an individual patient. This personalized approach could help patients avoid procedures that are unlikely to succeed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work is relevant for patients with atrial fibrillation who are considering or have undergone catheter ablation.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have atrial fibrillation or are not candidates for catheter ablation may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help patients with atrial fibrillation avoid unnecessary procedures and receive more personalized treatment plans.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown promise in using MRI to predict ablation success, but this project aims to address current limitations in image quality and analysis for more reliable results.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Daniel — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Kim, Daniel
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.