Biofunctional Assessment and Interventional Treatment of Coronary Inflammation guided by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Michael Bock; Privatdozent Dr. Timo Sebastian Heidt; Professor Dr. Constantin von zur Mühlen
• Subject Area: Cardiology, Angiology ; Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology
• Term: from 2019 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 415243609

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is steadily emerging its diagnostic potential in cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, MRI has entered the stage for interventional application due to technical developments, absence of ionizing radiation, and superior soft tissue contrast compared to fluoroscopy. In this proposal, we build a consortium of interventional cardiologists with expertise in molecular imaging and medical physicists with an acknowledged track-record of cutting edge MR-sequence, catheter-tracking and coil development. We aim to enable real-time assessment of coronary plaque inflammation with molecular imaging, intravascular high-resolution MRI of the coronary vessel wall, as well as interventional real-time MR-guided coronary intervention with implantation of scaffolds or new generation drug eluting stents (DES) to “seal” the inflamed site. We ultimately envision fully MR-guided investigation and interventional treatment of inflamed and therefore potentially vulnerable coronary lesions.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants