Real-Time AI-Driven Autonomic Neuromodulation to Prevent Ventricular Arrhythmias After Heart Attack
Official title: Real-Time AI-Driven Closed-Loop Autonomic Modulation for Ventricular Arrhythmia Prevention After Myocardial Infarction
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11340665 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new AI-guided system aims to adaptively modulate the autonomic nervous system in real time to prevent dangerous heart rhythm problems in people with a prior heart attack.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $782,341 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL185174-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11340665 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with a history of myocardial infarction at high risk for ventricular arrhythmias who are candidates for neuromodulation therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without autonomic imbalance or those not eligible for neuromodulation therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project seeks to create an adaptive, closed-loop neuromodulation platform that targets autonomic imbalances known to trigger ventricular arrhythmias after myocardial infarction. By using real-time data and AI, the system would adjust stimulation to balance sympathetic and parasympathetic activity and reduce VT/VF risk. The work builds on existing biomedically implanted stimulation approaches but moves from fixed settings to an intelligent, patient-specific strategy. If successful, it could offer a proactive alternative to reactive therapies like defibrillators, with potentially fewer side effects and procedures. The study will be conducted at the University of Pittsburgh with rigorous safety and efficacy testing over several years.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience fewer dangerous arrhythmias and a lower risk of sudden cardiac death through a smarter, responsive treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work on bioelectronic neuromodulation shows promise, but adaptive closed-loop AI approaches for this indication are still being validated.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salavatian, Siamak — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Salavatian, Siamak
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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This NIH grant studies how changes in the heart’s nerve signaling after a heart attack lead to dangerous rhythm problems, with the goal of finding ways to prevent them.
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Anti-inflammatory signaling of a key protein in heart attack recovery
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Targeting RIPK3 to reduce heart damage after a heart attack
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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.