A Novel, Experimental Therapy for Dangerous Abnormal Heart Rhythms

Clinical Trial:  Cardiac Arrhythmias

Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy in Cardiac Arrhythmias

Interventional Trial: Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy of Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia – a Phase I/II Study

Basic Information

This study is designed for patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) resulting in dangerous abnormal heart rhythms for whom routine therapies have been unsuccessful.  Subjects who enroll will receive stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), a therapy routinely used in cancer patients with minimal side effects.  It is hoped that a 30 minute session of SABR will control VT in these individuals.   

Research Procedures:

The study will be done in two parts.  Part 1 is designed to determine the highest safely tolerated dose of radiation to the heart.  Part 2 is designed to determine the effectiveness of this dose to control this abnormal rhythm.

Each patient will be seen at Radiation Oncology and undergo a CT scan for planning of their radiation therapy.  Each subject will receive a 30 minute session of SABR, and will be asked to return to both their cardiologist and UCLA Radiation Oncology on a regular, routine basis for check-up visits for up to five years.  

Eligibility Criteria (Not a complete list):

Basic Inclusion Criteria

• Documented sustained ventricular arrhythmias refractory to or not a suitable candidate for catheter based RFA ablative therapy, cardiac sympathetic denervation therapy, cardiac transplantation, other additional medical management
• Pacemaker in place with documented episodes of recurrent VT despite best clinical management If ischemic cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction occurred more than one month prior to enrollment
• No history of prior radiotherapy to the chest

Other eligibility criteria exist

For More Detailed Information Contact:

• Robert K. Chin, M.D., Ph.D. Principal Investigator       (310) 825- 9775
• Vicky Ramirez, Study Coordinator                                 (310) 267-8996                        
• UCLA Department of Radiation Oncology                    (310) 206-6577