Using a temporary heart pump to improve blood flow during a heart attack
Increasing Ischemic Myocardial Tissue Perfusion by Mechanical LV Support
Using a temporary left ventricular mechanical pump to boost blood flow to the injured heart muscle during an acute heart attack for people having an ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238062 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work looks at whether placing a temporary mechanical pump to unload the left ventricle during a heart attack can increase blood flow into the injured heart muscle. The researchers study how lowering the heart's diastolic wall stress may let more blood reach ischemic tissue. They are using large animal models of heart attack to measure coronary flow and tissue perfusion and link those findings to prior clinical experience. The results aim to guide when and how mechanical unloading could be used alongside emergency reperfusion to limit heart damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people having an acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who are eligible for emergency coronary reperfusion and for temporary mechanical left ventricular support.
Not a fit: People with small non-STEMI heart attacks, those not eligible for mechanical support, or those with contraindications such as certain valve problems may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could shrink the amount of heart muscle damaged in some heart attacks and help preserve heart function.
How similar studies have performed: Early clinical work like the Door-to-Unloading (DTU) STEMI trial demonstrated safety and feasibility and animal studies have repeatedly shown reduced infarct size, but definitive proof of clinical benefit is still being established.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ishikawa, Kiyotake — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Ishikawa, Kiyotake
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.