Low-Field MRI–Guided Robotic Catheter System for VT Ablation
Official title: Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging Guided Robotic Catheter System for Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11331141 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $760,476 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL184919-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11331141 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with ventricular tachycardia, especially those with complex structural heart disease who may be candidates for catheter ablation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without VT or those not eligible for catheter ablation may not benefit from this technology.
What this research studies
This project aims to use an MRI-guided robotic catheter to perform VT ablation more precisely and efficiently. By integrating advanced imaging, real-time visualization, and robotic control, it seeks to address challenges in identifying and treating the arrhythmogenic areas in patients with complex heart disease. The team will evaluate how this approach can reduce procedure time, improve targeting, and potentially lower recurrence rates. The effort involves collaboration between engineers and clinicians at Case Western Reserve University to translate imaging and robotics advances into a patient-centered intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with VT could experience safer, faster ablation procedures with better long-term rhythm control.
How similar studies have gone: Previous VT ablation approaches have improved outcomes, but this integration of MRI-guided robotics is exploratory and aims to further enhance precision.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cavusoglu, M. Cenk — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Cavusoglu, M. Cenk
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Wideband 3D heart imaging to guide VT ablation
A new imaging approach uses 3D wideband heart scans to plan and guide ablation for ventricular tachycardia patients.
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.