Press Release

Varian Announces First Participant Treated in RADIATE-VT Clinical Trial of Cardiac Radioablation for Patients with Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia


Published by Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company

Published on 19. Mai 2023

Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company, announced today that the first participant has been treated in the RADIATE-VT1 clinical trial (NCT 05765175) at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO. RADIATE-VT is the first international, multi-center, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cardiac radioablation (CRA) compared to catheter ablation for patients with high-risk, refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT). The cardiac radioablation treatments will be planned and delivered with Varian’s CRA system. 

“We’re pleased that the first participant has been treated in this landmark clinical trial. Varian is committed to pursuing clinical research that has the potential to enhance the care experience and improve outcomes for patients,” said Deepak “Dee” Khuntia, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Varian. “We view the RADIATE-VT trial as an important opportunity to better understand how our innovative technology and solutions can be used in clinical settings that extend beyond cancer care.” 

Ventricular tachycardia is a fast, abnormal heart rate that affects patients’ quality of life and may lead to sudden cardiac arrest. Current treatments for ventricular tachycardia include antiarrhythmic medications, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, or invasive catheter ablation procedures, but these treatments are often insufficient in controlling VT and can be associated with significant side effects.2,3,4,5 The RADIATE-VT trial will evaluate cardiac radioablation as a new therapeutic alternative. CRA involves precise targeting and accurate delivery of focused radiation beams to the area of the heart where the arrhythmia originates. 

The cardiac radioablation treatment planning and delivery process requires close collaboration among electrophysiologists, who specialize in treating cardiac arrhythmias, and radiation oncologists, who specialize in treating cancer and other conditions with radiation therapy. Varian’s CRA system, which received FDA Breakthrough Device designation, is a non-invasive, end-to-end solution designed to facilitate the clinical partnership between these physicians. 

“This trial is a significant step toward gathering the necessary clinical evidence to evaluate whether cardiac radioablation with Varian’s CRA system as a non-invasive treatment option is safe and effective compared to catheter ablation for these patients,” said Daniel Cooper, M.D., electrophysiologist and RADIATE-VT Principal Investigator at Washington University. “Patients who experience ventricular tachycardia recurrence after conventional medical and ablative therapy have limited treatment options with results that are often disappointing, making it vital to investigate treatments that have the potential to improve future outcomes.” 

 
 
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Varian 2023

At Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company, we envision a world without fear of cancer. For more than 75 years, Varian has developed, built, and delivered innovative technologies and solutions that help care providers around the globe treat millions of patients each year. Today, as a Siemens Healthineers company, we support every step of the cancer care journey – from screening to survivorship. From advanced imaging and radiation therapy, to comprehensive software and services, to interventional radiology, we are harnessing the power of our perspective while also pursuing clinical research to create a more efficient, and more personalized care pathway. Because, for cancer patients everywhere, their fight is our fight. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com.