MRI-guided robotic catheter to close the heart's left atrial appendage
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Guided Robotic Catheter System for Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Procedures
A team is creating an MRI-guided robotic catheter system to help people with atrial fibrillation get a safer, less costly procedure to permanently close the left atrial appendage instead of relying only on lifelong blood thinners.
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 ID | NIH-11144978 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient point of view, this project combines MRI imaging and a robotic catheter to place an implant that seals off the left atrial appendage, the usual source of clots in atrial fibrillation. The team plans to use real-time MRI guidance and robotic control to improve the precision and safety of the catheter procedure. By improving imaging and device delivery, they aim to lower complications and procedure time compared with current approaches. The work includes engineering the device and testing it with plans to move toward human use at a clinical center.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation at risk for stroke who are considering left atrial appendage closure as an alternative to long-term blood thinners, and who can undergo MRI and a catheter procedure.
Not a fit: Patients with valvular atrial disease, those who cannot have MRI scans, or those medically unsuited for catheter-based procedures are unlikely to benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could make left atrial appendage closure safer, less expensive, and a more practical option for patients who cannot or prefer not to take long-term anticoagulants.
How similar studies have performed: Mechanical left atrial appendage closure (e.g., Watchman) is an established alternative to anticoagulation, but using MRI-guided robotic catheters for this purpose is a novel and still-developing approach.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cavusoglu, M. Cenk — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Cavusoglu, M. Cenk
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.