Heart Rhythm Research
Joseph F. Novogratz Family Heart Rhythm Center
Our mission is to discover new ways to help patients with heart rhythm disorders live longer and better lives around the world.
Advancing Research and Care for Patients with Heart Rhythm Conditions
Heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) affect millions of people worldwide. The Joseph F. Novogratz Family Heart Rhythm Center is bringing new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm conditions. Under the leadership of Dr. Jay Sengupta, the Joseph F. Novogratz Family Heart Rhythm Center works to advance the prevention and treatment of heart arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation and sudden cardiac arrest. This center also drives innovation through research of medical devices like pacemakers and implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) that are important in the management of common heart rhythm conditions.
Through their extraordinary gift, the Novogratz family is making it possible for MHIF to advance care for future generations of families living with heart rhythm conditions.
Research Vision and Goals
The vision: discover new ways to help patients with heart rhythm disorders live longer and better lives.
The goals:
- Save lives from sudden cardiac arrest.
- Improve quality of life for millions with atrial fibrillation.
- Improve patient safety of cardiac rhythm devices.
- Drive innovation for advanced understanding, treatment, and elimination of heart rhythm disorders worldwide.
About Heart Rhythm Research
We’re bringing new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of patients who are impacted by arrhythmias. In partnership with the Minneapolis Heart Institute®, one of the most comprehensive arrhythmia programs in the country, we conduct research on all types of heart rhythm disorders, ranging from those that are common to those that are rare and inherited.
Under the leadership of Dr. Jay Sengupta, MHIF researchers conduct cutting-edge research to improve and expand treatment options for patients with all types of heart rhythm disorders. As part of this work, researchers also monitor and analyze the safety and effectiveness of implantable cardiac devices. While the scope of heart rhythm conditions is broad, the different elements are interconnected. MHIF’s electrophysiology research team also works closely with MHIF’s heart failure and structural heart disease researchers, since many heart rhythm conditions often have associations with other heart conditions.
Research Highlights
Genetic Heart Disease Research
MHIF Electrophysiology researchersrecently published a case report in the November 2021 Journal of the American College of Cardiology about two siblings, ages 19 and 20, with desmoplakin cardiomyopathy. The condition is a rare variant of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, which is an inherited heart muscle disorder that can cause sudden cardiac death, particularly in young patients and athletes. Patients with the condition typically show signs of ventricular arrhythmias or progressive heart failure.
By studying genetic disorders that are not well understood and for which treatment remains uncertain, MHIF researchers can help bring hope and answers to patients and families and prevent a life-threatening event from occurring in other family members.
2022 Research Findings
In 2022, the Heart Rhythm Center team shared important research findings with electrophysiology professionals around the world through 13 publications or presentations and 12 abstracts.
Research in Action
The Joseph F. Novogratz Family Heart Rhythm Center team focuses on these three key research areas:
Sudden Cardiac Death Research
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating, usually as a result from a problem with the heart’s electrical system. When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs, causing death if not treated within minutes.
Atrial Fibrillation Research
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of treated heart arrhythmias. AF causes the electrical signals of the heart to become chaotic and misfire. This can cause symptoms that severely limit a patient’s daily activities and increases their risk for stroke and heart failure.
Cardiac Implantable Devices and Safety Research
Pacemakers and defibrillators are lifesaving technologies. MHIF researchers have expertise in promoting patient safety with these devices, including tracking safety and effectiveness of new devices and participating in research to advance the technologies and procedures.
Research Leads to Success
Cardiovascular research is the catalyst for improved patient experiences and life-saving care.
Recent Publications
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