Understanding how radiation affects heart rhythm problems
Official title: Determining the Mechanisms of Radiation Biomodulation of the Ventricular Tachycardia Arrhythmogenic Substate
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11192963 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help people with a tough heart rhythm problem called ventricular tachycardia by using a special type of radiation therapy, to see how it works and why some people respond better than others, so we can make the treatment more effective for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $812,403 |
| NIH project number | 1R56HL174836-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11192963 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with refractory ventricular tachycardia who have not responded well to standard antiarrhythmic medications or catheter ablation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable ventricular rhythms or those who have not been diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of cardiac stereotactic body radiation therapy (cSBRT) as a treatment for patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT), a serious heart rhythm disorder. The study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind the variable responses to this noninvasive therapy, which is used when traditional treatments like medications and catheter ablation are not effective. By analyzing how radiation interacts with the heart's electrical system, the research seeks to improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from refractory VT. Patients may be monitored closely to assess their heart rhythms and responses to the therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with difficult-to-manage ventricular tachycardia.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of cSBRT for treating ventricular tachycardia is a relatively novel approach, preliminary clinical observations suggest potential efficacy, though further investigation is needed.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tschabrunn, Cory Michael — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Tschabrunn, Cory Michael
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.
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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.
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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.
-
Low-Field MRI–Guided Robotic Catheter System for VT Ablation
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.
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.