Myocardial infarction (MI) afflicts more than one million persons per year in the United States alone. MI results in permanent left ventricle (LV) scarring that causes diminished pump efficiency and, commonly, heart failure. Towards reduction or elimination of scarring, there is increasing interest in reparative biological materials, such as cells and proteins, that are introduced into the affected region of the LV early after MI. We believe that such an approach will eventually become part of a standard of care. The most promising route for the delivery of such materials is direct LV injection (DLVI). Thus far, the utility of DLVI has been hampered by the lack methods for accurate spatial targeting of affected tissue. This has greatly impeded clinical translation of promising materials. The goal of this project is to devise cutting edge imaging tools to visualize infarcted regions using MRI.

Public Health Relevance

Myocardial infarction (MI) afflicts more than one million persons per year in the United States. Emerging therapeutic strategies for MI involve direct injection of therapeutic biological materials, such as stem cells, into the affected heart regions (i.e., inflamed tissue). A way to reliably visualize the affected areas of the heart to guide delivry is a key unmet need. This proposal will evaluate the use of new magnetic resonance imaging technologies developed by Celsense, Inc., that can be used to visualize the inflammation associated with MI and enable effective therapeutic delivery.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grants - Phase I (R41)
Project #
1R41HL116014-01
Application #
8395201
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-CVRS-B (10))
Program Officer
Danthi, Narasimhan
Project Start
2012-08-20
Project End
2013-07-31
Budget Start
2012-08-20
Budget End
2013-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$379,160
Indirect Cost
Name
Celsense, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
798793548
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15222