Understanding fat deposits after heart attack and their link to dangerous heart rhythms
Official title: LONGITUDINAL ASSOCIATION OF POST-INFARCT LIPOMATOUS METAPLASIA AND MALIGNANT ARRHYTHMIA
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11393352 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Penn Medicine team is studying how fat buildup in the heart after a heart attack may influence dangerous heart rhythms and recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $721,149 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL171709-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393352 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with a recent or prior myocardial infarction who may have or be at risk for arrhythmias could be involved or benefit from findings and future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients without infarct-related heart remodeling or arrhythmias may not experience direct benefits from this specific research.
What this research studies
After a heart attack, restoring blood flow is crucial but can cause injury that may lead to fat pockets forming in the heart muscle. The researchers will track patients over time and study heart tissue changes to understand how these fat deposits relate to abnormal rhythms like ventricular tachycardia. By combining patient follow-up, imaging data, and tissue insights, the project aims to map where fat tends to appear and how it affects heart electrical signals. This patient-focused work may identify targets to reduce rhythm problems and improve outcomes after a heart attack.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to better prediction and prevention of dangerous heart rhythms after a heart attack and improve long-term heart function.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier studies show a link between infarct-related fat deposition and remodeling, but this project aims to clarify mechanisms and clinical implications.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nazarian, Saman — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Nazarian, Saman
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Developing 3D Real-Time CMR for Arrhythmia Imaging
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Precision imaging of heart rhythms to map arrhythmias without surgery
A new 3D ultrasound method could noninvasively map how abnormal heart rhythms start and travel, helping doctors plan safer treatments for people with arrhythmias.
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.