Using ethanol to improve treatment for heart rhythm problems after heart attacks
Official title: VENOUS ETHANOL ABLATION IN ISCHEMIC VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA- VELVET TRIAL
Funded at Methodist Hospital Research Institute · NIH-11064972 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to treat ventricular tachycardia in people with heart issues by using ethanol to target specific veins in the heart, hoping to make treatments more effective and safer than the usual methods.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $691,087 |
| NIH project number | 4R33HL164873-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11064972 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy who experience refractory ventricular tachycardia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have ischemic cardiomyopathy or those without ventricular tachycardia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new approach to treat ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy by delivering ethanol to specific veins in the heart. The goal is to improve the effectiveness of existing treatments, which often have limitations and require repeat procedures. By targeting the veins associated with arrhythmogenic sites, the study aims to reduce complications and enhance patient outcomes. Patients will be monitored to assess the safety and efficacy of this innovative technique compared to traditional methods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer treatments for patients suffering from life-threatening heart rhythm disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar approaches, indicating potential for success in this novel treatment method.
Where this research is happening
-
Methodist Hospital Research Institute
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Valderrabano, Miguel — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Valderrabano, Miguel
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.
-
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.
-
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.