Ventricular arrhythmia is a potentially life-threatening condition that causes the heart’s lower chambers to beat irregularly. MRI offers a clearer view of the heart’s anatomy, instruments, and treatment effects—something X-ray imaging cannot match. “Unlike X-rays, MRI allows us to see the entire area around the heart, including vessels and valves,” explains imaging cardiologist Dr. Marco Götte. “It also lets us visualize the impact of treatment on the heart tissue in real time.”

This milestone builds on years of pioneering work in MRI-guided cardiac interventions. “The patient is doing well; the procedure went according to plan and the arrhythmia has been eliminated,” says Prof. Cor Allaart, cardiologist at Amsterdam UMC. “We are extremely proud that, after years of preparation, we are the first in the world to treat complex arrhythmias in an MRI scanner.”

This breakthrough is the result of years of collaboration, technical innovation, and intensive training. “We had to reinvent everything—from catheters to communication systems—to make them MRI-compatible,” says Götte. “The innovation lies not only in the technology, but also in the teamwork across departments.”

Support by IXA

IXA provided support in the run-up to the start of this study by negotiating budgets, concluding contracts and providing other study startup support, especially in regard to the relationship with the study’s sponsor, US-based MedTech company Imrocor.