Using computers to better predict and treat heart rhythm problems
A population-based computational approach for arrhythmia prediction and therapy
This project uses advanced computer modeling to understand and predict dangerous heart rhythms, like those that cause sudden cardiac death, aiming to find safer and more effective treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11135498 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Sudden cardiac death is a serious concern, often caused by irregular heartbeats called ventricular arrhythmias. Current treatments, including medications and implanted devices, have limitations because they don't always work well for everyone and can sometimes even make things worse. This project aims to overcome these challenges by using powerful computer models to understand the complex causes of arrhythmias, from the molecular level to the whole heart tissue. By considering how individuals differ, this work hopes to identify better ways to predict who is at risk and develop more personalized and effective therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with cardiac arrhythmias, particularly those at risk for sudden cardiac death or with conditions like Brugada syndrome, could potentially benefit from the future therapies developed from this research.
Not a fit: Patients without cardiac arrhythmias or related cardiac conditions would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more accurate ways to predict dangerous heart rhythms and help develop new, safer, and more effective treatments for patients with conditions like Brugada syndrome and other cardiac diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Current antiarrhythmic drug therapies have shown limitations and unexpected side effects in large clinical trials, indicating a need for novel computational approaches like this one.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Qu, Zhilin — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Qu, Zhilin
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.