Heart Rhythm Research

Joseph F. Novogratz Family Heart Rhythm Center

Our mission is to pioneer the future of heart rhythm care, elevating the quality and longevity of patient lives.

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.

Thank you to the Novogratz Family for funding heart rhythm research

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.

Read the News Release

Research Vision and Goals

The vision: pioneer the future of heart rhythm care, elevating the quality and longevity of patient lives.

The goals:

Leveraging genetic research and personalized medicine to customize patient therapies.
Enhance patient safety and effectiveness of implantable cardiac rhythm devices.
Advance ablation techniques and technologies to improve treatment of atrial fibrillation.
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

Dedicated Clinic and Research in Genetic Arrhythmias

Under the expertise of Dr. Jay Sengupta, the Genetic Arrhythmia and Cardiomyopathy Clinic (GACC) is dedicated to supporting patients and families affected by rare genetic heart rhythm disorders. Insights from our clinic are integrated into research that contributes to our understanding of the conditions.

The clinic provides personalized consultations with a dedicated cardiac genetic counselor, and is devoted to providing advanced screening techniques, highly skilled doctors, precise diagnosis and the latest treatments available to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients.

Precision and Safety in Atrial Fibrillation treatment: Dr. Melby’s Impactful Research

Dr. Daniel Melby, a prominent cardiologist at the Minneapolis Heart Institute foundation, has made remarkable strides in advancing treatment for atrial fibrillation. He is currently leading a pivotal trial exploring the use of advanced ablation mapping software to treat persistent atrial fibrillation.

In addition to his own research, Dr. Melby has been involved in a wide range of influential clinical trials, including the THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF, PRECEPT Trial and SAAB (Steroid After Ablation): A Randomized Prospective Trial. These are just a few examples of the numerous studies reflecting his dedication to advancing heart rhythm care.

Results from the SMART SF trial

The Prospective Multicenter PRECEPT Trial

Innovations in Cardiac Resynchronization: Bridging Electrophysiology and Heart Failure Care

Dr. Alan Bank serves as the Director of Research for United’s Minneapolis Heart Institute East. He has been the Principal Investigator on roughly 100 research trials and has published aver 100 papers. His work includes developing innovative, noninvasive technologies that help heart failure patients who’ve been implanted with a cardiac resynchronization therapy device. This new technology has been patented and will ideally be used globally as an option for both patients and physicians.

His research intersects between heart failure and electrophysiology which provides patients with life-altering interventions that stabilize their heart rhythms and enhance the overall function by treating the electrical desynchrony. Most importantly he is integrating two critical areas of cardiology, ensuring each patient benefits from comprehensive, multifaceted approach to their care.

Read the publication

2024 Clinical Research Internship

Through MHIF’s Clinical Research Internship Program, the Heart Rhythm team hosts two interns to work on cutting-edge projects, with 2024 focusing on cardiac resynchronization therapy and cardiac device data analysis.

Under the guidance of leading physician mentors, interns gain hands-on experience with pacemakers, defibrillators, and advanced therapies. They present their findings at an open house and poster session often leading to authorship in top journals and presentations at national conferences. This program fosters the development of the next generation of cardiovascular specialists.

Learn more about the internship program

Heart Rhythm Disorders Webinar

Watch our recording of On the Pulse, discussing heart rhythm disorders with Dr. Jay Sengupta. This webinar features information about the research MHIF conducts on all types of heart rhythm disorders, ranging from those that are common to those that are rare and inherited.

Watch the Webinar

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.

Alicia Bravo, Long QT Syndrome

Long QT syndrome is a relatively rare and often inherited heart rhythm disorder. “I was 37 and had a sudden cardiac arrest and I had no idea why,” said Alicia.

Mike Bingen, Atrial Fibrillation

“It started about 20 years ago and it would be very intermittent, but as I got older, it became more frequent and lasted longer,” said Mike. “In the last couple years, it became very draining. When I’d have AF, it would be like I just ran a marathon, so I got to the point where I needed to address it.”