AF Big picture
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Insights into the the underlying pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation: The ’AF Big Picture’ project.
IRAS ID
265408
Contact name
Gregory Lip
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Patients with a rapid irregular heart beat (atrial fibrillation) are at a higher risk of stroke and heart failure. It is typical for patients to initially develop brief episodes of AF (paroxysmal) before it develops to a sustained irregular rhythm. Many patients don’t realise they have AF until they are investigated for other conditions or until they have already had a stroke. Unfortunately, the mechanisms of AF development are poorly understood and treatment focuses on symptomatic relief and lowering of stroke and cardiac risks. Moreover, post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication after some forms of heart surgery. As such, in this project we aim to understand more about the development of AF and the progression from paroxysmal to sustained AF. This research should enable us to identify AF patients earlier and hopefully improve AF treatment. We shall do this by analysing a number of molecular biomarkers thought to be involved in the development of AF, how they change during the progression of the disease and following routine treatment options and how they are altered during cardiac surgery.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/EE/0040
Date of REC Opinion
9 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion