Precision imaging of heart rhythms to map arrhythmias without surgery
Official title: Precision imaging of electromechanical coupling for non-invasive cardiac arrhythmia mapping
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11385556 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new 3D ultrasound method could noninvasively map how abnormal heart rhythms start and travel, helping doctors plan safer treatments for people with arrhythmias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $707,787 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL170606-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11385556 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with suspected or known cardiac arrhythmias who are candidates for noninvasive diagnostic mapping and potential ablation.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without arrhythmias or those not undergoing diagnostic mapping or ablation may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to advance Electromechanical Wave Imaging (EWI) into a full 3D, noninvasive mapping approach for cardiac arrhythmias. It seeks to visualize electromechanical coupling in the heart to pinpoint arrhythmia origins without radiation or costly scans. By collaborating across cardiology and biomedical engineering at Columbia, the team will test the 3D EWI technique in adults undergoing evaluation for arrhythmias to improve diagnosis and planning for ablation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more accurate, noninvasive guidance for catheter ablation, reducing procedure time and radiation exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous noninvasive mapping efforts like ECG imaging have shown promise, but 3D ultrasound-based EWI is a novel approach with ongoing validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wan, Elaine Y — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Wan, Elaine Y
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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.